Sunday 9 September 2007

Sunday Stroll

Well, we managed to get out a bit earlier this morning. Now that I've no dog to take on walks with me I take my husband instead. The only trouble is he's nowhere near as much fun as a dog. So I walk along watching other people exercise their dogs instead. Seeing these 2 black labs swimming off Sidmouth beach this morning reminded me of how much Velvet used to love a swim. Sometimes she would just leap in and paddle away, on and on, as if she was planning to emigrate to Spain. Once she leapt off an embankment wall into a river; she then couldn't get out again. We had to walk about a mile downriver till we could reach her and haul her back onto dry land. I've bought myself a step counter for the days I go out walking alone. Or I may have to set up a small business as a dog walker . Twenty years ago we had an Irish Setter. He was a bit of a rogue dog. A fine looking dog and most people wanted to fuss him. But he was always on the verge of 'biting'. I could never trust him. We used to have to go out at the first crack of dawn to give him a good run. At a time when hardly any other poeple around. He didn't like people, children, cats or other dogs. He was a real handful. And yet in other asspects he was beautifully trained - if I say so myself - well , he was, I did a good job. It was a heartbreaking decision but at the age of 8 we had to put him down - I wasn't sure I even trusted him not to go for me in the end.

7 comments:

Flowerpot said...

What's happening about Sky or someone similar? Sounds like you're edging round to dogland once more. I hope so.

Penny Pincher said...

Not at the moment flower ... but one day maybe ... Sigh.

1UP RPG said...

I can't think of anything much more heartbreaking than that decision. I'm so sorry!

Anonymous said...

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merry weather said...

I like morning walks, they clear my head. That looks like a good place to be.

Both of our neighbours have recently got dogs and the boys talk about them constantly. I am planning to borrow one for the weekend so they can have a reality check.

Henry North London 2.0 said...

Anyone who wants to borrow my dog is welcome

Penny Pincher said...

Well Merryw I see Henry has made an offer but having seen his dog's facebook page - I imagine the dog could probably see eye to eye with your kids - maybe that's just what you want. If you want to put them off the idea you should 'borrow' an old tired, sleepy, smelly boring kind of hound that does nothing else other than chew their favourite things.