We are running. Now, I say running, but a very gentle trot is more accurate. A trot punctuated by conversations with other dog walkers.
It started off badly - we saw a muntjac that had been hit by a car. It was sort of carrying its back legs. But I couldn't find it... mainly because I didn't look straight away... which was mainly because I didn't know what I'd do if I did find it.
This led me to over-sharing with people in the woods.
A mother and daughter (with a sweet black cocker spaniel bitch) said they'd been walking these woods for many years and had never seen as many muntjac as this year.They told me show line cockers are much easier to manage than the gundogs. Rosie (who misses Freddie - he died last year) loves a good long walk but doesn't fret if that's not on offer.
Two ladies maybe a few years older than I am were collecting birch bark. Apparently you use it for sort of arty crafty things. The woman doing most of the work was not the woman who wanted the bark. The woman who wanted the bark told me she uses natural bits and pieces, was inspired by the internet. Apparently, it's waterproof. She had a sprocker - a springer crossed with a cocker. Very nice dog. Looked gentle. The woman said she doesn't take the ball out when they walk - she didn't want her dog ball-obsessed (a problem among springers and border collies). But, 'All springers are mad,' she said.
A young couple with a beautiful 18-month old vizla bitch told me how she gets restless on weekends but has basically been easy to train. They were very proud of her. It was touching. I told them about Leanne's vizla and how she has done races with him and what it felt like when he pulled me along and I flew through the air. The girl wanted to try.
Jabi was very good. He was sweet with all the dogs. Didn't even tell off the bouncy young vizla.
He's asleep on his chair as I type. One front paw dangling. His ears slightly cocked, just in case.
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