It was Monday 9th April and at 10:00am we arrived at the kennels to collect Zulu for a day out in Aldershot and Farnborough with Dodger.

Zulu was wearing a Retired Greyhound Trust coat with “I need a home” on it and we were armed with some information on Greyhounds and Greyhound Lifeline. With Zulu and Dodger safely in the back of the car we set off for Aldershot and once there we parked up and walked into the centre of town.

This was quite an experience for Zulu who is still wary of people, but with Dodger leading the way Zulu managed very well indeed.

Zulu and Dodger waited outside an entrance to the Wellington Centre whilst some shopping was done and generated some interest from people passing by.

Some came up and made a fuss off Zulu and Dodger, some asked about them and where they were from and some just looked and walked on. We explained to those that asked that these dogs are retired racing greyhounds and that Dodger was adopted by us in December 2011. Zulu, on the other hand, wearing the RGT coat, was looking for a home and was currently in Greyhound Lifeline’s kennels locally in Fleet.

After a while we continued walking through the town and stopped at another entrance to the Wellington Centre for a while and again people came up to stroke Zulu and Dodger and asked questions and again we discussed the dogs and Greyhound Lifeline.

Next we returned to the car and decided to find a dog friendly Pub for lunch and that turned out to be The Foresters on the road to Church Crookham. They were very welcoming and supplied a bowl of water for the dogs to drink.

As we waited for our lunch Dodger crashed out on the floor making himself at home, whilst Zulu remained watchful of everything going on.

People in the Pub showed interest in the dogs and again asked questions and we handed out some information to those that wanted it. Others came in with their dogs and both Zulu and Dodger socialised very well with them and were good ambassadors for Greyhound Lifeline.

After lunch and thanking the staff at The Foresters for their hospitality, we moved on into Farnborough and went into Pets at Home.

Some literature was left with the Veterinary Centre and the store as well, both saying that they would gladly display it. We walked around the store meeting people and dogs and once again discussed Greyhounds as pets, Greyhound Lifeline and the RGT.

Then it was a walk through the Town Centre and we waited outside the entrance to Kingsmead whilst some literature was dropped into Pampurred Pets who also said that they were glad to display it.

Yet more interest was generated as people again stopped to talk and make a fuss of the dogs.
Then it was home for a rest where Dodger and Zulu played, had treats, and rested.

Zulu shared Dodger’s toys and his bed as he did when he visited previously, again Dodger was happy to share, these two boys definitely get on well together.

Finally Zulu was prepared for his return to the kennels and back into the car he went. Dodger gave us a look that said What about me? Why am I not going too? On arrival back at the kennels we put Zulu back in his kennel and said goodbye and we would see him again soon.

Zulu behaved and coped very well with the day out and we hope that this has helped him to realise that nice things do happen in the big wide world out there.

Interested in Adopting a Greyhound?

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  • 07769 348310

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