Rocked up to the lure coursing event—Socks already sitting up and taking notice—likely heard/smelled the dogs already there.

Parked, left dog in car, registered. Back to car, take harness off, put lead on, go to walk the mutt to warm her up for the first run. Jesus Christ, the barking, whining, pulling on the lead, jumping etc. Offered her as second hand dog to a couple of other members there “She is as quiet as a brass band!” but no takers.

So walk her away from most of the other dogs then head to where we wait until our dog’s turn. Finally—our turn, in to the field, take the mutt to where we were indicated. “Ready” then the bags (the lure) started moving and the course controller shouted “Tallyho!” and I let the dog go.

Jaws were hitting the ground. Socks did a SPECTACULAR run, the controller of the machinery had to keep those bags (3 shopping bags make up the lure) moving really fast.

Clever anticipation—her first run, remember—saw her nearly grab the bags at the back of the course.

She was excited at the end, ripped in to the bags, destroyed all three.

Superlatives were hurled at me and I was informed she was nominated for “Run of the Day!” Also was told she was maturing and was in magnificient condition and trim.

Worth driving 270Km round trip for. 

Two photos of Socks uploaded but no video, dammit!

Member Run Boards > Critters and Gardens > Socks at Westbury

Yup, need to be a registered member. Had to make it that way because Booby stole vidoes and photos of Socks.

OK. Yup, she really pounds along.

Well, drove past Perth, Perth Tas that is. Then things became a bit Old Testamenty: drove past Jericho, through Bagdad and over the River Jordan.

Usual nonsense from Socks: was like a thousand premenstrual termagants were at the other end of the lead, not one middle sized dog.

Finally, time for her first run. Socks exploded out of the starting blocks (no actual starting blocks are used) in pursuit of the lure. Now, how the hell can Socks know where the lure was going to move to next, but she anticipated well and nearly grabbed the lure—in the first third or so of the course! Clever!

After retrieving the mutt the guy running the club said she was in perfect condition and explained what he meant:

1. Three vertebrae could be seen (not the actual vertebrae of course)

2. Three ribs, and even a fourth more faintly, could be seen

3. The pinbones on her hips were just visible.

Not fat, not too skinny and undernourished. Seems veges are good for dogs, contrary to what the Village Idiot™ seems to think.

Socks lives only to run. That is why we did a 350Km round trip today.

Well, wasn’t thinking about whisky this morning and in fact never really think about whiskey at all.

I think I didn’t quite go past it because I hung a right at the roundabout and didn’t go into the town.

And it is Shene, Shonk!