By: Blonde Two
No good people, Harry isn’t Blonde One. Blonde One is definitely a girl, has only two legs and can’t jump twice her body height. Harry is my geriatric Jack Russell terrier and he doesn’t usually get invited to Dartmoor.
That sounds rather mean particularly as he loves the moors but the problem is that I can’t trust him. He barks at livestock, runs onto roads, grumps at other dogs after pretending to be friendly and tries to steal tors. I would like to add that he has never managed to bring a tor home but this has not been from lack of trying. Jack Russells are diggers born and bred but Harry is not interested in foxes or rabbits, he just wants to dig up huge lumps of granite.
Not being able to trust Harry means that he has to be on a lead at all times and this is my problem. I have no idea how to juggle two walking poles, a map, a compass and a dog lead. Yesterday was a short two hour walk so we managed with one walking pole and a map tucked into my rucksack strap. I have to say that he was good company and obviously really enjoyed himself so maybe I will take him again. One benefit I did discover was that Harry, being short, likes to be at the top of everything so we spent a lot of time walking up hill. Left to my own devices, I will often follow a contour line rather than slog up a hill. Cancel the personal trainer, I think I have found an alternative.
Have you thought of using a lead which attaches around your waist???? We bought one after seeing several people with them in the Lake District. Having had the whole lead, map, compass, GPS, walking pole thing too, plus a dog strong enough to pull you over if a sheep suddenly comes into view, the waist lead is quite handy. We have a Ruff Wear one, which come in various sizes. It also has a handle lower down the leas for more control.
Will maybe try that. Harry does have a habit of running around you in circles though.
I’ve used a lead + karabiner + doubled up 2m climbing sling for years – on urban walks the sling round my upper body means that my posture is saved from holding one arm out – even thought the Dood doesn’t pull. Cn also keep hands in pockets on a cold morning!
On Dartmoor it means that he a)cannot chase everything (he is a lurcher, so no changing that bit of nature), b) is completely ok from hassling non-dog friendly teenagers on DofE (although in my opinion they just need proper training but that’s a whole new discussion), and will consequently walk 12-15km on a DofE training walk just trotting along, no pulling, shadowing my steps. On Dartmoor the sling goes double again through a gear loop on my rucksack waist band.
The sling also makes a great emergency lead if you find a stray (twice in the last few years). Bit cheaper than Ruffwear too!
Sling sounds like a good idea. My son used to clip Harry to his waist strap and spend ages untangling himself as Harry ran round and round him.
Excellent photo Blonde Two!
Oh and by the way, how do you know I can’t jump twice my body height?!