 |
| Snow drops in Shackleford |
On getting out and about now that spring has sprung.
As the days warm up and spring blossoms, thoughts turn to getting out and about. Not just on the usual dog walks to keep us and our doggy friends happy and healthy, but proper outings. To new places, hotels or restaurants and fun events.
When we first decided to share our lives with the Boxers, we knew that we could never leave them at home, while we were out doing the fun stuff. They would never stand for it. So we started to take them out, even when they were little puppies, equipped with poo bags, paper towel, wet wipes, toys and assorted bedding and towels, just in case they went in for a dip along the way. Which they often do.
It's not quite the same in winter. A walk to the pub and lunch with a dog or two under the table is OK, but you can't exactly hang about. Spring days lend themselves to a much longer walk, perhaps stopping at the farm shop, a chat to the horse-riding school, watching the Saturday morning rugby, before arriving at the pub for brunch. Much better, especially after a long drink from a water bowl that smells of adventure.
It's not as easy as you might think, though, to find dog-friendly places. We constantly pick up gems of doggy info from fellow dog walkers. The pubs are all very dog friendly, even indoors in front of the fire. But not so the country hotels in our area. It would be wonderful to have a little drive on a Sunday, a walk in the grounds of beautiful hotel, followed by a sumptuous lunch. Of course, we responsible dog owners would have to make sure that our companions are under control at all times.
Things are far more relaxed away from Surrey, however. We have spent wonderful weekends away in the New Forest in a luxury country hotel, where dogs are welcomed and catered for. Similarly, many hotels and restaurants in towns across Cornwall welcome dogs, although beaches are a different story. We have even taken our well-behaved Boxers to gorgeous hotel on the Gower Peninsula. Heavenly.
Summer brings the fetes and fairs and concerts. The Boxers love a bit of swing and jazz in the park in Godalming on a Sunday afternoon.
So get out there with your doggy pals, and have some fun, now that spring has sprung.