Manchester

Chorlton widower flooded with kindness after sending a letter to neighbours

He just wanted to meet some dogs.

Daisy Jackson - 10th February 2025

A pensioner in Chorlton has been flooded with kind messages after sending a heartwarmingly honest letter to his neighbours.

David Whitehead, 75, posted a letter to other homes on his street asking if they ‘might allow’ him to meet their dogs, writing that he ‘very much misses canine contact’.

David shared in his letter that he and his late wife had rescue dogs when they lived in Northern Ireland.

But since moving to Chorlton and into rented accommodation, he’s no longer allowed to have pets.

Since the widower’s touching appeal was shared in a local Facebook community group, he’s been flooded with kind offers of companionship – both human and four-legged.

One person shared that he has already ‘met five dogs in four days’, along with a photo of David holding two small dogs in a coffee shop.

David’s letter reads: “Do excuse this unsolicited letter from a well-meaning neighbour.

“Last month I came to live at Acres Rd. Because my house is rented I am prohibited from keeping a dog (or indeed any kind of pet). Which saddens me. In an earlier life – in County Down, Northern Ireland – my late wife and I homed a sequence of rescue-dogs, and I very much miss canine contact.

“I am writing to ask, therefore, whether you have a dog or dogs yourself and, if you do, whether you might allow me to meet him/her/them.

“Beyond that, occasionally joining you on a walk (not-too-strenuous: I am 75!) would mean a lot to me.

Chorlton widower flooded with kindness after sending a letter to neighbours. Credit: Facebook, Rory Michael

“Again: my apologies if you find this approach intrusive; it is certainly not meant to be. If you don’t, please consider texting me so that we can discuss how to proceed.

“Thank you and best wishes, (Prof) David Whitehead.”

One neighbour then shared the following update: “Hello everyone! David wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and messages, he’s now met 5 dogs in 4 days including my own dogs.

“David was the loveliest coffee shop companion and if anyone with a dog wants to reach out to him I can vouch for him not being an internet weirdo.”

Featured image: Facebook, Rory Michael