The Attraction of Water

Started the day with a swim and I was really pleased to swim each half mile in less than 16 minutes.  The first time I can remember doing that in many a year.

On the way back I rewarded myself with a Gregg's breakfast roll, while sitting on a bench in one of the local garden areas. While sitting there a local dog walker came by and we started chatting until her attention was drawn by a Staffordshire bull terrier coming towards her, off the lead.  He started pestering her dog, followed by a young French bulldog.  She shouted at the owner to get her dogs on their leads but it was evident there was little chance of a quick response. The lady was getting very agitated and I could see that it was the small French bulldog that was causing the most concern, biting at the back of her dog's neck and at its paws.

I didn't want to get involved but the other dogs' owner seemed incapable of taking in the seriousness of the situation. Finally she got hold of the Staffie, but the French bulldog continued to grab at the lady's dog.  There was nothing left to do but get involved.  Thankfully, I was able to grab the smaller bulldog by the scruff of the neck before hooking its collar.  I pulled it away, only for the collar to come apart in my hand. The dog immediately returned to its attack.  

A few more moments and I had the dog by the scruff of the neck again.  I wasn't letting go this time.  I left it to the distraught lady to lambast the other dogs' owner, before she finally took control of her dogs and moved away.  On reflection I worry that the behaviour of the French bulldog is unlikely to improve, and if it is a young dog, it will get stronger.

After that excitement, it was a quiet morning, before we headed to the local fashion outlet in the afternoon.  It's fascinating to see how quickly young children congregate around this water feature when it is turned on.  I can only imagine how the parents are able to dry their clothes after just a few short minutes playing in the water.  At least it made for a more interesting blip.