What job would you do for free?
I would always have to earn money some way to pay my self-generated bills,that is my destiny like so many others. So my “free job” would have to be done in my own time and with my own furry friend on his normal walks.Given my little four legged terrier is a sociable character,having an easy arrangement with a few local dog owners would work really well.
So basically,pick up a friendly pooch from their house and head off with mine in the car to some of the lovely local walk I know.Both dogs would have to have the same energy levels…mine loves to play in short burst and then likes to get on with serious sniffing and investigation.
My dog would love a companion to show the ropes to and to share his excitement at finding something new.
Arriving at the Car Park with them both having had an enjoyable car ride safely secured in the back of my car , they both of would have had a “chat ” in the car and would be contemplating their route on arrival.
They would both hop out of the car on their leads and would walk nicely through the Car Park and once we got through the kissing gate,they would be released to run around the top of the wooded area.This would be their crazy time,running at speed,bumping into each other,jinking out of each others way.There would be other dogs too who would want to join in. In a few minutes there would be a gang of about five or six .Some big or small just larking about ,tumbling and playing around the trees
However,the job walk must continue as this is a serious business.So a quick call to my two and we are off down the hill,me along the path…them through the undergrowth. They rejoin me on the path as Nature is calling and they do their business and I pick it up with my poo bags and put it in the side pocket of my rucksack to dispose of later.
Business done ,we continue on our walk down the steep gravelly path and take an off piste turning into the wild woods.The ground here is covered by dried pine needles and The Spring’s emerging plants . The two dogs are fascinated by the greenery and the nooks and crannies of the woodland . The chirping of wild birds ,a high pitched cacophony of twittering and the occasional woodpecker.All this means something to both dogs . Then when they notice the flash of squirrel tail scurrying back to it’s home in the tree, the two dogs are off a in pursuit.
Neither have a chance of catching anything their delight,however , in the chase is evident. As the squirrel scurries around on the top branches gazing down on the two culprits ;the two dogs ,after a half-hearted attempt to climb the tree, start to sniff around the bottom and mark it as much to say we were here.The squirrel looks at them as much to say, well that was pointless! The two dogs don’t care they don’t even bother to look up,they are on to their next adventure.
There is a field at the top ,which is the border to the wooded area and the two dogs nimbly jump over some of the branches that have been cut and have fallen onto the forest floor,as they make their way uphill to the edge of the forest.
I follow on a lot slower,but nevertheless keeping them in sight.They are obviously very interested in the hedgerows near the edge of the field.There are many small animal trails coming through the bushes which they follow with their noses.
As I watch the two dogs interact together I can tell they are both getting tired. They are having fun ,but they know their limits,they spend a lot of time in the same place to catch their breath.
Suddenly out of some greenery,not far away from where they are.A muntjac deer runs out and past the two dogs and runs over the field. The dogs look up in suprise and they look as if they will chase…I shout “No” and my dog gratefully uses it as an excuse to stay put,and his companion does the same.
“Come On!” I say,and we continue our walk,the two dogs happy to follow me along the trail which follows the edge of the field on the forest side. The deer is quickly forgotten and the leisurely sniffing,scenting and marking continues with little diversion and I thankfully now am able to keep up. So we three walk along together.
We continue our walk following a circular route.We stop and I give both dogs some water and some treats.When we get back to the Car Park,both dogs are tired and are happy to put their leads on and hop in the car.
I drop our companion dog at his home , the owner is pleased to see his dog looking so content and happy and ready for his dinner. My dog and I have enjoyed the companionship and we look forward to doing it again next week.
