Leo's Trek in the Scottish Borders
Ruth Kilcullen is raising money for Woodgreen Pets Charity
Participants: Frank Brown
Story
13th May 2007
Hi Everyone it's your Favourite Lurcher here again.
Well the silly B..... excelled himself today. The John Buchan Way from Peebles to Broughton only 13 miles but what did 40% of the walk consist of UP HILL of course, most embarrassing for a Lurcher like me was the fact I could have led everyone but ended up being tail end charlie, there was nothing wrong with my legs (apart from being covered in sheeps poo and mud) his however still belonged in the fens!!
Not all of the Greys were changed at Stobo the half way stop. An old girlfriend of mine Fi did the whole way, I understand that after the walk whilst we were at his and her friends for coffee she (Fi) spent an hour sleeping on my bosses lap whilst I slept in the car with my three companions which I certainly didn't grumble about. The excuse for leaving us in the car was that the boss felt fourteen Greyhounds and yours truly wouldn't leave much room in the living room. However I do understand that Blue (a fostered blue) did manage to create a little chaos by grabbing some quiche just as it was about to pass Al's lips (good for him).
When we got back home I quite enjoyed the blanket bath I was given because by then I had warmed up and had my dinner. I should have mentioned earlier that it drizzled nearly all day and as we entered the last valley we were treated to an intense freezing cold wind, thank heavens the boss put my nylon coat on for the day. Those northern Greys seemed to be acclimatised as they were quite happy without coats none of them shivered like I had done.
Well my lady boss leaves for home tomorrow but we are all staying here with Him for a few more days. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the local Greys (although us lurchers are not quite as toffee nosed) and I know the bosses enjoyed meeting members of the Dumfries & Cumbria Greyhound Rescue.
Well I'll sign off for now, until the next time.
Your Incorrigible Lurcher
Leo xxxxxx
(Formerly Spike of WGAS)
12th May 2007
Greetings.
I was told today was when I could rest my paws but I think my boss must be barking.
We arrived in Lockerbie for a Greyhound Awareness Day outside the town hall and was greeted by about 35 Greyhounds and their hangers on. I managed to say "hello" to a goodly number whilst my two bosses chatted to members of the Dumfries and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue. We spent 3 hours in the cold and some rain whilst he and her spent time extolling the virtues of owning a Greyhound, I think only on two occasions were the virtues of Lurchers mentioned (I suppose we have more and it's quicker to cover the Greys!). Although I and Petra had our Wood Green & Northants Greyhound Rescue coats on and Eddie in his Gold & Blue Velvet NGR coat on, the pointy nose him and her are fostering at the moment seemed to get all the attention, "isn't he a handsome lad", isn't he a gorgeous colour", "hasn't he got a lovely shiny soft coat", it was enough to remove my breakfast. Jimmy as they call him was creeping round all the Greys and even approaching MEN would you believe, when he joined us a few days ago he'd run like hell (given the chance) if approached by a man.
This evening we joined up with our fourlegged friends in the Valley so there were eight of us for the boss to keep an eye on but those Greys were given a good run for their money I tell you, the two fostered lads being looked after the bosses' friend gave a good account of themselves but to catch a smart Lurcher like me takes some doing I tell you.
Oh well time to get some shut eye as we're doing 13 miles tomorrow on the John Buchan Way together with five Greys ( they are only doing six and a half miles in relay ) but I don't begrudge them as they are looking for forever homes I've got mine and a right pair of mugs......ooops. a right pair of nice manageable servants.
Catch you all tomorrow night (if I survive).
Love you all
Leo xxxxxx
11th May 2007
Hi Folks
Leo here again.
Well todays walk taught the two legged one a lesson, study the map contours more closely I think he said. For most of the day we only saw hill tops loads of them, the bit he was moaning about was the fact they needed climbing!! Well he was a little worse for wear at the finish but I could have done a few more hills if needed, us lurchers are a hardy lot.
Tomorrow the Greys are all going to Lockerbie for a Greyhound Awareness Day, there's the old girl Petra, the old boy Eddie and Jimmy the foster lad. However I know of a little (? ed)white lurcher who'se going to be there who'll queer their pitch a bit.
Well must get my beauty sleep, will keep you posted.
Leo xxxxx
10th May 2007
Greetings All
Not the best of days. A good start from West Linton and round to Halmyre very interesting with funny stone built buildings (so I was told) and lots of little woolly bouncy things with four legs like me, but in spite of several promptings he still didn't let me go bouncing after them!!
Things started going wrong at Newhall where it appears the route had been altered but signage not. When we regained the track we headed off into the hills, less woolly things but plenty of trees. Unfortunately over half way to Peebles dogs had been banned from the route so we had to head back. The weather was not good in the hills but at least I got my wax jacket today plus plenty of treats and corn beef sandwich!!
Tomorrow we set off from Peebles and hopefully reach Yarrow.
I've spent a lot of time with Jimmy this evening trying to put him at ease, even spending 20 minutes licking his rear paws, he really is a nervous fellow, but then so was I once.
Well that's about it for now folks I'm going to bed.
bye for now
Leo xxxx
9th May 2007
Hi Friends
This is being processed automatically as I am fast asleep.
What a day. First off I'm oiked out of the car in some remote spot leaving the others to sleep in the sunshine, then I have a short lead put on because, or so I overheard, "he can be a little b..... where lambs and sheep are concerned", I tell you butter wouldn't melt etc.. We set out across land which had more bridges per mile over the boggy ground you've ever seen plus the roughest walking surface I've encountered and this went on for over three miles until things improved a bit. The weather was warm one minute and chucking it down the next, and what had "he" left in the car my b....y rain coat, I noticed he hadn't forgot his.
The main part of the walk was through the Pass between West Cairn Hill and East Cairn Hill, apparently the Border Reivers (cattle robbers) used to operate around these parts as one man controlled up to a 1000 cattle across here, they must have damaged a few legs across that ground.
The bright spot of the day was the three treats at our lunch stop, although I did earn them by doing my usual posing for his camera.
Currently I'm dreaming tomorrow can only be better but as it's all for the benefit of my cousins the Greyhounds and other Canines I'll stoically soldier on.
Yours
a worn out Lurcher
Leo xxxxxxx
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
Frank and I are yet again trekking through Scotland to raise money for Wood Green and Northants Greyhound Rescue in our endeavour to make the world a nicer place for all dogs; Greyhounds particularly.
Please help us achieve our target of raising £500 for each of the charities.
Some upcoming events for Greyhounds,
Lurchers and Salukies (and their humans!)
May 6th Ely Cathedral 1330 hrs for annual Pet Service.
June 3rd Northants Greyhound Rescue gathering at Courtenhall Estate near Northampton. All Greys welcome, family day out. Registration of dogs showing usually commences 1000 hrs.
Sept 2nd Greyhound Gala at Towcester Race Course. Registration of dogs showing usually starts 1000 hrs. If you have any interest in retired Greyhounds/Lurchers/Salukies then this is the outing for you.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Wood Green Animal Shelters and Northants Greyhound Rescue will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor me now!
Many thanks for your support.
Love,
Leo xx