Early this afternoon, I posted a few seconds video clip of Gypsy and Billy running in the fields behind our home, and added a plea to people to consider rescue rather than purchase if they're looking for a dog. There are too many dogs out there that need (re)homing and - despite rumour - they're not all dogs with 'issues'. In fact quite the contrary; the rescues know their dogs and will recommend ones they know to fit your lifestyle, whereas from a breeder or shopkeeper you'll have little but the general temprament of the breed to go on.

My little video's had 35 shares, and over 1500 views; yes, it's intentionally public - see it at [here] - but I didn't add any 'pressure' wording to suggest that people should share - just saying that they could. And it was nice to read comments "totally agree - shared". If it's made one person stop and think, I've achieved what I wanted.

Here's one of our rescues:



Now everyone's first choice - she's a Bull Lurcher (Staffie / Greyhound cross) and they're not easy to rehome. She's blind in one eye - and if we're not careful she runs up to strangers at speed and nearly knocks them over. But that's pure excitement - she's such a laid back and good natured dog, always tail wagging, ready for a game and even cat friendly. Not everyone's first choice, but our ideal choice with some gentle advise - in her case - from Dog's Trust.

and here is the other:



He's a greyhound. He's fast, he gets separation anxiety, and his definition of "with" is sharing your breath. And we love him to bits. Bristol DAWG were the matchmakers in this case.

Thank you for reading ... and if your considering a dog, consider a rescue first.

(written 2015-06-07, updated 2015-06-24)

 Z203 - Cat and Dog
  [62] Technical Open House - (2004-09-25)
  [96] Variable Scope - (2004-10-22)
  [547] Taking the dog for a walk - (2005-12-29)
  [744] We can offer a room, but we can't operate on a dog - (2006-06-05)
  [771] From cat breeder to Cobol to Perl - (2006-06-21)
  [2029] Also for the eyes of the cat - (2009-02-07)
  [2132] Learning about Lurchers - (2009-04-18)
  [2138] Ski bore ... train bore ... dog bore - (2009-04-24)
  [2140] Beware - giving copyright away when you upload a picture - Dogs Trust - (2009-04-25)
  [2167] Watching the tele - (2009-05-10)
  [2252] Leaping dog, Leaping horse, copyright of old masters - (2009-06-20)
  [2271] Dogs Trust, Dog Show, Newbury - (2009-07-06)
  [2295] The dog is not in trouble - (2009-07-17)
  [2450] Family Gathering at 404, The Spa - (2009-10-11)
  [2451] Gypsy says - (2009-10-12)
  [2456] Bright Eyes - (2009-10-16)
  [2496] A better design of mouth - (2009-11-07)
  [2499] ourdog is Greyhound, Staffie and Ginger Cake - (2009-11-09)
  [2555] Bookkeeping - (2009-12-29)
  [2689] Can my dog eat potatoes? Doggie Dietary Research, and political sleaze! - (2010-03-23)
  [2787] Sleeping in on Sunday - (2010-05-30)
  [2897] The Land of the Black Labrador - (2010-08-01)
  [3096] Contrast in pictures - (2010-12-20)
  [3324] Rabbit Shelter - (2011-06-12)
  [3338] Return trip - Dogs Trust, Newbury - (2011-06-27)
  [3530] A typical weekend?? - (2011-11-28)
  [3533] No message - just doggy pictures of the new doggy - (2011-11-30)
  [3537] Letting the foster parents know ... too little or too much? - (2011-12-04)
  [3541] I loves Melksham - (2011-12-06)
  [3553] Changes to morning routines - (2011-12-16)
  [3561] Happy Christmas ... a Christmas morning walk in Melksham - (2011-12-25)
  [3606] Gypsy and Billy enjoy the snow - (2012-02-10)
  [3625] An update on Billy the Greyhound and Gypsy the Lurcher - (2012-02-25)
  [3674] Off to walk the dogs - (2012-03-30)
  [3675] Spring 2012 - (2012-03-30)
  [3737] Postcards from Barmouth - (2012-05-20)
  [3906] Taking the lead, not the dog, for a walk. - (2012-10-28)
  [3908] Black dogs at Halloween - (2012-10-31)
  [3920] Challenge for a photographer - (2012-11-10)
  [3936] Lisa is home today ... - (2012-11-26)
  [3943] With us for a year already! - (2012-12-03)
  [4016] Red, yellow, green or pink dog? Yellow Dog Project - (2013-02-23)
  [4130] Soft furnishings up a Welsh Mountain - (2013-07-03)
  [4180] Exceptionally, I sign a petition - on a life and death issue for Irish dogs - (2013-09-20)
  [4189] Who are we - Lisa, Graham, Gypsy and Billy - (2013-10-07)
  [4316] Too many Staffies, too many lurchers - (2014-11-16)
  [4333] Misty Melksham Morning - (2014-11-30)
  [4417] Crisp morning, fast run - (2015-02-06)
  [4433] Different views of a Welsh Valley - but headed home - (2015-02-20)
  [4517] Black dog day - and Bobby still seeks his new home - (2015-09-26)
  [4526] Day trip to Lancaster - (2015-10-10)
  [4666] Spring at Well House Manor - (2016-03-27)

Back to Peak weekend - where there are still rooms near Melksham

Previous and next or Horse's mouth home

Forward to Melksham to London by train - dont buy more than you need

The Royal Albert Bridge as you do not normally see it
Learning from the others - Community Rail
Throwing a die - exercise in Ruby
Melksham to London by train - dont buy more than you need
In favour of adoption rather than puppy purchase - dogs!
Peak weekend - where there are still rooms near Melksham
Regular Expressions for the petrified - in Ruby
Where does Ruby load modules from, and how to load from current directory
Separating your code for easier testing, understanding and re-use; example in Ruby
Reading and parsing a JSON object in Ruby