About the group
It started with Indy—and a good reason to slow down.
The personal story behind our free dog-walking community in Ericeira and Mafra.
Indy needed a pack. I needed a change of pace.
I’m David. At the start of 2026, I brought home Indy, a tiny Podengo rescued near Ramilo in Mafra. She needed to socialise, learn and explore. I needed to figure out dog-dad life—and, after years of working in tech, make room for something slower and more local.
Let’s Paws Together began as a no-pressure passion project: meet friendly people, give our dogs good experiences, swap honest advice and see what we could build naturally around Ericeira. That is still the point. You can read how our community dog walks work before coming along.
There were no big plans at the beginning—just a simple idea: help dogs socialise without forcing them, help their people connect, and make something useful for anyone living in or around Ericeira with a dog.
The person behind the walksDavid DacruzFounder, Indy’s dog dad and the organiser of Let’s Paws Together.Visit daviddacruz.dev Free, local and allowed to grow naturally
The walks remain free and community-led. Each person stays responsible for their own dog, and nobody has to force a greeting or pretend their dog is perfectly social. We keep the groups manageable, give dogs space and let trust build at its own pace.
Useful local contacts
We share useful routes, trusted recommendations and opportunities to support rescue dogs in the wider Ericeira and Mafra community. Our verified Mafra and Ericeira animal-support directory explains which local associations, volunteers and public services to contact. Local dog professionals, responsible businesses and volunteer groups are welcome to get in touch about thoughtful collaborations. Our dog walk safety and participation guidelines explain the shared expectations.
For daycare or boarding, visit Jurassic Barks .
Frequently asked questions
Who organises Let’s Paws Together?
David Dacruz organises the community. He started it after adopting Indy, a rescued Podengo who needed to socialise, learn and explore.
Is this a commercial dog-walking service?
No. Let’s Paws Together is a free grassroots community project. Every participant remains responsible for their own dog.
Can a local business or dog professional collaborate?
Yes. We welcome thoughtful local partnerships that genuinely help dogs and their people around Ericeira and Mafra.
How does the group support rescue dogs?
We help local rescue dogs through community visibility, responsible sharing and connections with organisations such as Ericeira Paws.