It’s morning and my obedient owner rouses me from my comfortable bed in the warmth of the kitchen, puts me outside for a short leg stretch and then gives me a full bowl of food. My day has begun.
After my owner has made himself presentable it’s time for a walk. Like dogs, many people access the countryside for physical and mental good health and recreation, and so I like to take my owner out daily. We usually walk for an hour each morning around the village where we live, but sometimes I allow my owner to drive a short distance in his car so that we can have change of scenery. We walk on public rights of way, be they roads, bridleways or footpaths. We take care to follow the Country Code which can be summed up as Respect everyone, Protect the environment and Enjoy the countryside.
If we are walking on a road, there is no overall requirement for my owner to be on a lead. However, the Highway Code suggests that leads should be used on all roads, which is what we normally do, although if there is just a short stretch of rural road to be walked, then I will just keep my nose to my owners’ heels.
As my owner is reasonably well trained, I let him off the lead on footpaths. We are under close control and so if need be, I can be at my owner’s side quickly. If we see an unknown dog, or some children, I will move to my owner until we are certain that everyone is happy. I do not roam freely.
At home my owner has some sheep which I ignore as I consider them to be silly although my owner says that I am wrong. He calls me “stock steady”. We often come across sheep when we are walking. Sometimes I will come over to my owner, especially if there are pregnant ewes, or ewes with lambs in a field, but generally we just ignore each other. However, I understand that not all dogs are so sensible and indeed farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs who attack or chase sheep, and so I am anxious not to cause any difficulties.
We seldom see cows or horses, but if we do we treat them with more respect. Cows with calves can be unpredictable and protective. Farmers are entitled to keep none diary bulls in a field crossed by a footpath. I would certainly anticipate to be on a lead when cattle or horses are around, and if we got into any difficulties I know that my owner would drop the lead and expect me to look after myself. I am quicker and more agile than him.
There can be restrictions and even temporary closures of footpaths that go near to countryside used by ground nesting birds. I love to flush out birds. It is in my nature. I would expect my owner to call me in or put on the lead when near such areas between 1st March and 31st July each year.
As required by law, I am microchipped, although it was put in me as a puppy and so I can’t remember a thing. When out walking I always wear a collar which carries a tag with my owner’s name and contact details, although these days I wonder if it is because he can’t always remember this himself. My owner feeds me worming pills regularly, mixing them up in my food. I pretend not to notice and eat them quickly. My owner carries bags to clear up behind me, which I find strange, but apparently even with regular worming I can cause disease to stock and to children.
We both take much pleasure in walking in the countryside. In Norfolk we are fortunate to have approximately 2,400 miles of public rights of way to explore, which are open to all.
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