Take three dogs………………..

This morning we took Maggie out for her first walk just after 9.30.
It was a little overcast, so we wore our hoodies, but I ended up taking mine off as I was too hot.
I took this picture on Friday, but the sea was a dull silver today and the sky a contrasting grey. The beach and prom were busy though, and we met up with umpteen dogs of various sizes and breeds, Maggie being perfectly content to sniff her way along and leave her calling card.
Halfway to our destination, we turned round to see our neighbour a little way behind us so waited for him to catch up.
Hubby plays pool with him and his dog Max lies quietly in the corner of the pub, sometimes with Maggie next to him. Max is a brindle whippet and will be 5 in November.

We met up with a mutual acquaintance and his black labrador called Bentley. He’s nearly 10 I believe and what I deem as a plodder. Max was off across the sand like a shot to join him and his master, and we walked a short way together before they had to turn off to go in the direction of home, but not before Max had wangled three biscuits (plus the one Maggie didn’t want) out of his pocket.

We took a rest on the wall and Max again was off across the sand, this time to join another black labrador called Jack.  He’s 4, so a little bit younger than Max and the two were playing tag and swap the ball. Max has a habit of ‘stealing’ it then trying to bury it, but hasn’t quite got the knack of covering the ball over. Instead, he digs a hole round the ball, then pushes it out of the way.
Jack is a swimmer and Max doesn’t mind the water either, so if the ball went in the sea, neither were bothered going in after it.
Maggie was watching, and I swear was a little envious. Occasionally she would start to chase after the ball, but then let the young lads fetch it. She went in for a little paddle, so Hubby threw some stones in the water for her to get the idea and it started to work.
It’s been a long time since she really played, either in or out of the water. We know her joints play her up as she’s chased crows or gulls on the beach before now and paid for it.
These pictures were taken in October 2017 and she flew after that crow!

Today it was lovely to see her being cheeky and picking up the ball when either of the others had dropped it in close proximity. Proud as punch she carried her prize a few yards, then we retrieved it to throw and she started to join in the chase.
The lads were really sweet and let the old girl collect it sometimes, but there was no animosity or argument between the three and they were happy to play and run together.

We saw a seal out by where the RNLI boat was going through its practice paces. It’s the first one I’ve seen on the shore for a while.

These pictures were taken in March 2018

Jack and his owners continued up the beach but we headed towards the prom and home.
We actually got back at 11.30, so were out for a good two hours! Hubby took one of his megabombs as walking on sand really took a toll on his legs even though we stopped often, which in itself can be counter-productive.
Maggie is exhausted and crashed out on her cushion for about three hours. It meant we could eat our lunch of chicken curry and rice without pleading eyes, though she had some boiled chicken and later rice in her dish which she polished off with no problem.

Although I certainly don’t wish it, I was thinking that if today was her last day, it was filled with fun for her.
Photo October 2017

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