10. Pippi and friends

Pippi and Evie

During the course of my walks along the path towards the pier at Shorncliffe, I’ve got to know quite a few of the dogs and their companions. They’re a friendly group, always ready to stop for a chat. I’m talking about the humans now, but the dogs are mostly friendly too.

Hundreds of people take their dogs for a walk here. Not only is there a very good path, all the way from Brighton to Shorncliffe, but there’s also a very large “Dog Off-Leash Area” near the Sandgate foreshore. It’s a huge expanse of sand and puddles, which appears at low tide and is the closest thing I can think of to a dog’s paradise.

Many of the dog-walkers are willing to climb down (or use the steps), from the path to the sand, to keep an eye on their “best friends”, and to be close enough to watch the frivolities taking place around them. The dogs, who include many different breeds, shapes and sizes, run on the sand while their owners either walk or stand around, trying to avoid the puddles and the wet patches. No such “watching one’s steps” for the dogs though! They’re out there to enjoy themselves, to make friends, bark to their hearts’ content and make the most of their short-lived freedom.

It always astounds me how fast they (the dogs, not the owners) can run through the pools of water and continue over great distances on the sand – at lightning speed!

On the subject of dogs, I must first write a few words about the photograph at the top of this page. It’s a photo of our granddaughter, Evie, and of Pippi, the family’s much loved Cavoodle. Pippi is loved not only by Evie but also by Evie’s two brothers, Willem and Joey and by her parents Nikki and Mike. She travels with the family wherever they go. She even cries with excitement and affection when we, Evie’s grandparents, arrive for a visit.

I could have simply said that Pippi is loved and admired by all who come into contact with her, but that would not have fully explained her special place in our family.  She has the friendliest disposition of any dog you are likely to come across.

I began this story by writing about the many dogs I have encountered on my walks to the pier.  For example, I love to meet Miley, a female Ridgeback Steffi Mastiff and Ada, a female fox terrier cross. Both are inquisitive and somewhat restless, but happy to sit while Sam and Will, their owners, have a rest and a talk with me.

Recently, on my early morning walk, I experienced something a bit more unexpected and unusual – the sight of a man with a canary in a cage, who was sitting on the rocks near the path. Why would he be doing that? Was it to give the little bird some fresh air? I know I should be sticking to the topic of dogs, but the sight of a canary in a cage interrupted my line of thought sufficiently to warrant giving it a mention.

Sometimes when my friend Dick is sitting at a table near the pier, reading his newspaper, he has a dog on a leash lying on the ground next to him. Dick asked me not to pat her because “she might bite you”. He was minding this dog for his neighbours, who were away on a holiday. Her name was Lucy and she wore a vest with the words: “I’m nervous – Give me space”.

Some friends of Logan, who I have talked to on several occasions on the pier, have a big Irish Wolfhound called Harry. They have not had Harry for very long, but he is already very obedient, sitting when asked to do so, and even offering his paw. Harry always comes together with Alby, a bulldog, also obviously very happy to be included.

I must also mention Emma, a beautiful Golden Retriever, brought along by Carol, who is one of the regular walkers I am fortunate to meet often. I was told that Emma loves to visit older people in nursing homes. She goes to them, rests her head on their laps and allows them to stroke her.

Perhaps the most amazing and unusual dog I’ve met recently was Dakota, a Samoyed dog. I was told that Samoyeds are also referred to as “Smiling Sams”, because they always look as if they are smiling. Dakota was 2½ years old when I met her.

I don’t think I have to mention the health benefits of walking for both the owners and the dogs. It’s obvious! But did you realise that walking also happens to make dogs very happy? I’ve read that they (the dogs!) love to check out the smells and sights and that with enough exercise they become less bored and destructive.

Dog Off-Leash Area sign

One last thing I’ve learned is that dog walking is not new. There is archaeological evidence of dog walking dating back many thousands of years. I even learned recently that there is a “National Walking the Dog Day” on February 22, which also happens to be my birthday!

Finally, for the record, I can confirm that Pippi gets plenty of exercise. She enjoys happy daily walks with Mike, Evie’s Dad.

O.P.

P.S. Next Sunday, we’ll be talking about Penny Farthings. Yes, they’re still seen in Sandgate.