Boots made for walking… and running!
OCCASIONALLY we go exploring on foot rather than just ‘window shopping’ at the sights from the comfort of the stern of our boat and do enjoy long walks along the towpath, especially if the weather is kind and we remember to wear the appropriate footwear.
The best part about walking ‘off piste’ is discovering interesting and varied places within easy reach of our inland waterways towpaths, some of which I am convinced have not been visited for years as they appear unsoiled by the mass destruction and building on our beautiful countryside.
One such walk with friends on a rather hot day, along a rather overgrown (not grumbling, honest) towpath and very pretty rural part of the scenic Oxford Canal, led us to a quaint little canalside shop which was actually a chandlery with essential extras such as bread, milk and most importantly to us, ice cream!
It was conveniently located next to a water point (coincidence or purposely built to catch potential customers) and however it came to be there, it was certainly a welcome ‘pit stop’ for us as well as all walkers, cyclists, boaters and other travellers as right next door to a pub which again was very handy but, as with many places during these difficult and unnerving times, was unfortunately shut due to the coronavirus.
Having stopped for a look in the shop (only two customers at a time due to social distancing) and their ingenious home-made contactless payment system, we purchased ice creams, as I cannot resist, especially on a hot British summer’s day. On the way out, we noticed two rather lovely dogs on the boat which was moored up while the owner was filling up with water.
While waiting for the tank to fill, I had a chat with the lovely owner of Bones (her second boat) which was a 54ft TT Marine-built narrowboat, powered by a BMC 1.5-litre engine.
She advised that she had owned and lived on her boat for around 15 years and the dogs were Boots, an 11-year-old rescue whippet-saluki cross who had been cruelly used for baiting (covered in scars before being rescued at the age of one and thankfully rehomed), along with his doggie friend Rocky, a border collie cross, who was visiting from Devon.
Within the first year of owning Boots, her first ever dog, he ate shoes and chairs and thus went to puppy training for a while but is now calmer when in a smaller space and absolutely loves to sit (or lie) on the roof, stern or bow. So if considering a rescue dog on a boat, the tips are choose wisely, be consistent and the rewards will follow.
Interestingly Boots will only get off the boat when on a lead and is okay with other dogs but hates cats and will chase! Toy-wise, Boots does not play with his own, instead playing with other dogs’ toys. Food-wise, cheese, broccoli and Chappie do the trick.