Could you offer to take them for walks everyday or so, on your own time and do it just because you love them? Maybe with that sort of attitude, the owners wouldn't mind, plus the dogs would get good exercise, and of course, you could slip a few morsels of something good to eat to them too. I don't see why it wouldn't be worth a try. It also might give you the opportunity to make subtle suggestions to the owners about the dogs, once you get to know them better.

I wish you luck, and thanks for caring so much.

Logan