One Hundred Muddy Paws For Thought

by Simon Whaley

Our humans pretend to get upset when we get muddy but we know they expect it really. At last, gems of doggy wisdom on how to wear your mud with pride! On those wet, windy, wintry walks when you're as dirty and as slimy as you can get, don't slip and slide frenetically as you try to clamber over a stile. Let your human sweep you up into their arms and gently carry you over, whilst you watch the remnants of that cow pat transfer from your coat to theirs. Responsible humans like to know where you are at all times. Be considerate and tell them where you've been too, by leaving a trail of muddy footprints across all floor surfaces. It's only since humans have domesticated dogs, that you've had to be clean. Go ancestral. Get dirty!

Simon Whaley is a free-lance writer. He has written numerous articles, many of which have appeared in national magazines such as In Britain, Trail, Dogs Monthly, Water Gardener, The Lady, Hotel, On Foot, Practical Camper & Backpacker, Cumbria & Lake District Magazine and Walking Wales. Regional magazines include Surrey County, Norfolk Journal, Yorkshire Journal and Suffolk Life. He is a regular contributor to Country Walking magazine.