A walk in Helix Park
The Kelpies
SO we’re nearing the end of January and I must say it’s been an interesting start to the year – for me in any case – but more of that another.
To escape the constant barrage of revelations from Westminster, I took the opportunity of a decent spell of weekend weather to head up to the Helix in Falkirk, a very pleasant walk along the canal and an opportunity to see the Kelpies close up (again).
They never fail to delight me – I know simple things, etc – but among the hundreds of people who had decided to do the same thing, there was a huge number who were accompanied by their dogs.
I was brought up around dogs and I’ve had them at various points through my life, so it gave me a great deal of enjoyment to wander through the park happily speaking to and petting any of the animals that approached me.
Unsurprisingly, many of the owners confessed their pets were Covid dogs, bought at various stages of lockdown when families were confined to their homes. I know several of my neighbours did likewise, but I wonder what will happen to all these dogs when (and if) people start physically returning to their offices and other places of work.
We have all heard the Dogs Trust phrase that “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” but should it now be altered to “… for life, not just for Covid”?
I don’t mean that in a flippant sense, but I fear that when the pandemic eventually passes, we’ll see countless canines being dropped off at animal charities and dog homes as their owners return to the dreaded commute.