It was the first really cold morning of the autumn this morning, and as I walked to the local branch of the retired greyhound kennels there was still a thick frost on some rooves and cars. The day was gloriously sunny though, so there was no need to wrap the dogs up in warm coats.
It's also half-term for most schoolchildren at the moment - always a manic time to walk the dogs. Sure enough there were several families, with children ranging in age from 6 or 7 to teenagers, walking the dogs.
Insurance stipulations say that no-one under the age of 16 is allowed to walk the dogs by themselves. However the kennels have found a brilliant way around this. An adult is given the "main" lead, and then all the kids in the party have a lead which they can attach to the main lead.
This is great because it means everyone gets to walk the dog together, but the dog, and all the children, stay absolutely safe - a greyhound can accelerate from 0-40mph in just a few steps, so it's best to have more than one hand on the lead.
On this subject, when you walk a greyhound you have to hold the lead in a special way - with the loop at the top in the palm of your hand, and then the lead looped again around your forearm. The dogs can take you by suprise if they "bolt" and this ensures they don't pull the lead straight out of your hands.
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