It was, however, slightly disconcerting when I visited a favourite woodland walk at Itchen Valley Country Park on Monday and found the familiar shady tree canopy had all but vanished, seemingly overnight - the fallen leaves now carpeting the forest floor in bronzed oranges and yellows.
Mind you, the 2 dogs I had with me seemed not to notice, so intent were they on spotting EVERY single squirrel which dared to race past them collecting a bounty of chestnuts and hazelnuts...If I had my arm suddenly wrenched out its socket once by a dog on a chasing mission, I had it a dozen times. In these woods the official rule is 'leads must be kept on', however jarring the experience becomes! I think I made up for it with a good off-lead run in the nearby fields afterwards!
Another day I visited a park by the river in West End, always a pleasant stroll offering different experiences every time. Mid-morning there are often plenty of other folk walking their dogs about and most of the dogs recognise each other and much stopping and socialising, doggy-style, follows...
The dogs and I met someone with an enormous German Shepherd, who looks a tad intimidating due to his size but is just the softest-natured boy ever. I had a particularly small dog with me and the two of them took a shine to one another and stood sniffing noses for quite a while, tails wagging...it would have made a brilliant photo - little and large - shame I didn't have a decent camera with me.
The GSD's owner has had to spend an enormous amount of money - many thousands - repairing various genetic leg ailments and the dog is only a year old. The owner absolutely loves him though and told me proudly how he is taking him for the weekend to see his sister who lives on a farm - he is one lucky dog!
As always, the dogs I walk, meet and their owners can entertain and brighten up most days. Among the many great things about my job, is getting out and about every day and visiting different places, be it the New Forest, local walks or further afield.
And in how many jobs do you get such a fantastic welcome on your arrival as at the home of a dog who is eagerly waiting for his walk?? (Or the dog owner's cat who is waiting outside on the doorstep for my arrival because he knows he will be let in!)
Other things that have happened this week...
* One of my dogs has a lovely new cardigan - hand knitted - really, extremely cute, and as he's a breed that dislikes cold weather he needs it - another lucky dog!
* Met a lady with two rescue greyhounds, a male and a female. The female is 9 years old, recently came into season and could be pregnant as neither of them are neutered/spayed. The owner was very nice to talk to, however I couldn't help feeling sorry for the dog if she's now pregnant after all the years of working too. And after all, rescue centres are already full of retired greyhounds seeking new homes...where would the puppies go to? I do feel that all rescue centres need to neuter/spay their dogs routinely, to avoid these issues.
* Our own pet ducks are eking out the eggs...we thought that with the clocks going back and the earlier evenings they might go off lay, but the two youngest (Puddles and Rose, pretty brown Khaki Campbells) are still going strong. Enjoying those egg mayo sandwiches! Well done, girls!
* Our guinea pigs, Chicken and Duck (I know, confusing names - imagine when we try to make a vet appointment for them...endless merriment!) are still outside as the weather is mild, and enjoying going out into their run on the grass every day for a mooch and nibble. We did bring them inside over the weekend due to fireworks locally, it being almost Nov 5th after all. They were not, actually, that impressed: refused to initially step out of their carry box at all into their spanking new, clean, fresh-smelling indoor cage and had to be cajoled with bits of hay and, finally, lifted out by hand...whereupon they promptly hid in their shelter until evening, before the lure of fresh hay became too much and munching could be heard, if not seen.
Clearly, they much prefer the familiar scent of their outdoor hutch. But at least they were safe indoors while we all watched the night sky light up on Saturday night.
Guy Fawkes' night is tomorrow...hopefully all dogs, cats, rabbits and piggies will be brought inside.
Have a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night!
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| One of our Khaki Campbells |
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