Dog-walking helps out neighbors

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a good neighbor. Taking care of the family pets may seem like a small favor, but when urgent circumstances take someone away from home, knowing the family dog is getting her walks and attention means a lot.

When Patty Johnson’s husband, Don, was diagnosed with a prolonged illness last year, the two didn’t have to worry that their dog would be lonely or wouldn’t get to go outside.

That’s because they have Jay Nooney for a neighbor.

While the Johnsons were busy working to get Don better, Nooney stepped up and walked their dog when they had to leave home for treatments. He didn’t just do it once or twice; he walked their dog for weeks.

“He’s there before you even know you need him,” Patty said. “He’s just wonderful.”

Nooney laughs off the notion that he’s a good neighbor. He says he just does what he can.

“I’m not that convinced that I’m a good neighbor,” he said.

He has been known to drive neighbors to the airport or will take garbage cans up off the curb.

“It’s not a big deal,” he said.

Nooney has lived in his South Hill home for 33 or 34 years. He’s watched it change from a neighborhood of families with small children to one of retirees, and now it is moving back toward a neighborhood with families.

He’s lived in his house with his wife of 44 years, Barbara, and raised Michael and Jill, his two children, there.

He believes that a good neighbor is a helpful one, but like most good neighbors he is reluctant to admit that he is one. He claims that the Johnsons are the good neighbors on his street.

“He would say that,” Patty said when she heard that. “I just think that people need to be recognized.”

Patty gets emotional when she thinks of what Nooney has done for her family.

“We’re just very thankful,” she said.

She said he once helped a neighbor whose deck was collapsing. His wife brought them a basket filled with hot cocoa, goodies and a teapot with a snowman on it, which impressed Patty, since she collects snowmen.

They have also raced each other to see who can get the garbage cans in first.

“You don’t even have to ask him,” she said of his helpfulness.

Nooney is retired from medical sales. Since then, he has driven a dump truck and a school bus and helps out at his son-in-law’s construction business, T & J Construction, for the price of lunch.

“I’m anything that requires a strong back and a weak mind,” he said of his construction work.

He also doesn’t just walk the Johnson’s dog.

“I’m an accomplished dog sitter,” he said. He also dog-sits for his son who lives at the state line, and he watches the dogs of other neighbors as well.

He also has his own pooch, Bud.

The neighborhood has seen its fair share of excitement in recent years. Serial killer Robert Yates lived down the street from the Nooneys and the Johnsons when he was arrested.

Although neither family was acquainted with Yates, Patty said that she likes to keep a list of people in the neighborhood.

“I like to know who people are,” she said.

Patty said that Don is feeling better now, but she’s sure that when she needs someone to watch the family pet, Nooney will be there.

“I think Jay is just a great neighbor,” she said.