The weather was kindly well-behaved on the morning of the Dorset GIN GGGW 2024, being perfect dog walking weather, warm but not too hot along with a mix of cloud & sunshine.
The walk was held at the beautiful Avon Heath Country Park, who made us feel most welcome.
After a short welcome speech & fundraising collection, where people kindly gave generously, we set off promptly at 11.00am, with the chief hound counter doing his job as the hounds filed by.
The walk began and ended by winding it’s way through shady deciduous woodland. Thankfully we saw no squirrels!
The middle section of the walk had lovely views in the sunshine across the heathland & grassy fields. It was quite a sight seeing 31 other Sighthounds plus the one honorary hound, Heinz 57, Romanian Rescue girl, Bailey, who was there representing her poorly longdog sister, strung out behind lead greyhound Kayleigh and I.
At this point, a few less mobile hounds & their owners took the shorter route back to the car park. This being a level walk on a gravel path and twenty minutes shorter than the main walk, which carried on and was a bit hillier across more heathland and a lovely grassy field.
This meant there was a suitable route for everyone who wished to take part and to be counted in the overall numbers of this international event; to promote Sighthounds and especially ex racers to the public as the great pets they make.
A number of varying breeds of Sighthounds attended, from Whippets to Salukis, Ex Racing Greyhounds and various guises of Lurchers.
As always, they showed themselves off to the public in a good light, all being impeccably behaved.
At the end of the walk, all the hounds enjoyed a drink and goody bags, which were kindly provided by Helen and Rick Jellet, in memory of their rescue Salukis, Ollie and Merlyn, and were awarded an attendance certificate.
The walk was was endorsed and attended by the off-duty mayor of Bournemouth, who came along with his own rescue greyhound.
Total numbers for walks across the globe rolled in throughout the day, and I’m pleased to say we were part of another record breaking year! Walking with 13,383 Sighthounds with 511 other walks in 42 countries!
The date for next year’s walk is Sunday 28th September 2025 so I hope you will join us in a walk local to you.
Well done everyone, another 3 Records Broken! عد 13,383 Sighthounds 511 Walks 42 Countries
See next year’s poster:
