This is sort of a travel blog I know but I do want to mention dogs. When you travel around you do see a lot of dogs, especially in New Zealand. We have recently been overseas and I cannot recall noting a great number of dogs in Oxford in the UK, which is where we spent a bit of time. There were some of course and some beside me when I was having a quiet lager.
There seem to be many more dogs in New Zealand. Canny New Zealand cafe and pub managers have noted, as in the UK, that quite a few people spend their leisure time with their canine friends. Consequently I noted in Browns Bay in Auckland a cafe with a dog welcome sign and dog bowls with water near tables. My sister in law, who does not like dogs, had to give way to a dog coming into a Takapuna Cafe recently. She is a person that goes inside a cafe to get away from dogs. So maybe these new initiatives still need a bit more thought.
However dogs cannot be ignored. My current GP has her pet dog sitting unobtrusively in her medical room. They are all around us.
Peter and I do not own a dog and because we are in a caravan I think we won’t be getting one. Caravan owners, just not us, do have dogs of course and most of the N.Z.C.M.A. campsites have an adjacent dog park.
Dogs are on my mind at this minute as I am visiting my daughter who owns a feisty terrier. I have been taking it for walks in Dunedin, which involves a lot of waiting while each bush and pole is sniffed and every other dog formally greeted (in the dog butt sniffing way).
The walking is good for both of us and the walks around Dunedin are amazing. Granted most of these tracks have a steep bit, but there are many wonderful ones that take you through native bush in the middle of the urban jungle.
The dog is not concerned either way. Path or bush track, as long as we are out.