Last Sunday (yes, a week ago - this week has just flown by) was the December White Lodge walk. We went to Melton Country Park; one has noticed the weather is often somewhat inclement when we go there, but last week, though rather cold, it was rather fine.

Monty came too; Dad suggest MCP as it has nice paths and gentle inclines, so would be OK for Monty to walk on and everyone else kindly agreed.


Monty, Mum, Jack and Me

Our friends Tom and Alice, who we hadn't seen for a while, were there with their dads Nick and Loz. Strange to think that they could have come home with me three years ago, but Alice didn't seem to like me very much. I do rather think that every hound has a home, that day was the day Monty found his and Tom and Alice have certainly found theirs.


Tom & Alice with their Dads

It has been nearly three years since Monty came to stay with me - little did I know then he wouldn't be the only one, but I digress. Suggs is another black greyhound who could be Monty's twin to look at and his story is very similar. We chatted on the walk and he is just like Monty was when he came to stay. He's been living with his mum and dad for about six months now and is still very wary of men; he's getting better with lady humans though. There are places in his home he is not sure about, and is still very wary when he eats. He knows his mum and dad are nice and would never let anything horrible happen to him, but like he said, when people have been so nasty to you in the past anyone would be cautious when meeting new humans and doing new things in new places.


Suggs

In retrospect, Monty did have an advantage over Suggs - me. I do not want to sound conceited, but Monty has said it was helpful having me around as I could show him what was OK and what was not - not that there is much that isn't at Beast Barracks. Suggs on the other hand is on his own at the moment. I say at the moment because he did say that he's about to get a big sister called Vicky.

Jasper was there with his dad too. Mack, of course, went off to walk with them.

I mentioned earlier that every hound has a home; here is another lad that's found his proper home - Lester. He nearly came to stay with us, but at the time he was living with Dalby and was very protective of him. Now he's living with Jess - who he is totally besotted with - and their mum Tracey.


Lester


Jess

As you can see, Jess ran around like a mad thing. So did Lester and so did my dopple Ginga Sol.


Sol


Sol

As is traditional on walks there were treats back at the car park, and Suggs and Jess's mums brought treats for the humans too, which they all liked.


Treats in the Car Park

Monty did rather well, though he was getting a bit tired out by the end of the walk. He would like to thank everyone for being so nice to him.

And we discovered that Jess's mum is very talented; she had made some tassels, each one a bit different from the rest. Dad got all of us one each and I think everyone else there bought one too; we all think ours are terrific. And just as we were going Jess's mum came over and gave dad some money to put into The Beastly Beasts bank account 'coz she had sold so many. We think that was really nice of her and want to thank her very much.


Tracey's Tassles

And so it just remains for me to wish everyone that goes on White Lodge Walks a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of all The Beastly Beasts and mum and dad, and we look forward to seeing everyone on walks and other events in the New Year.