A team of dedicated volunteers take the Animal Welfare League Queensland long term dogs to the beach three times a week. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday they load up two vans of shelter dogs and take them out for some much needed fresh air. Then they come back and do it all over again with another load of eager canines.
The following is written by Alyce, a volunteer who had her first beach walking experience today
At 8am we load up the vans with six beautiful dogs, well deserving of a morning run on the beach. We arrive at Shearwater Park in Runaway Bay where we are met with some other volunteers. We unload and head out into the beautiful warm morning sun.
Before long the two playful dogs are down in the sand and the water. Lennox is beyond excited to be out and about and absolutely loves the water. Adam follows Lennox in; unaware that Lennox just keeps going. Sue makes the remark that Lennox would’ve kept swimming to Lennox Heads if we let him.
Kirra however was a little unsure of the water. She loved frolicking where it was shallow but wouldn’t follow Lennox into the deeper water, where Adam was in up to his waist, shoes on and everything. Luckily the weather and the water are getting warmer
Greyhounds have beautiful temperaments and although most think they need a lot of exercise, a daily walk will suffice.
All three of the AWLQ greyhounds walk beautifully on the lead and have great natures.
The volunteers do a wonderful job but Jimmy, Tess and Frankie would love to go for walks with their new owners which they can call their own.
They have stayed at the shelter long enough and are eager to spend their nights curled up on someone’s couch.
Tigger can be a bit cheeky and marked his territory on his walking volunteer buddy. He walks beautifully on the lead so is a shame to send him back to the shelter environment which dogs find very stressful.
I got to walk Lilly a beautiful black Australian Kelpie x Bull Terrier. Lilly’s eyes lit up at the sight of the beach and she was eager to investigate her surroundings. She was a great dog to walk but did pull a little on the lead but some training or regular walks would easily keep her in check. She had a few burst of energy where we ran from the shade of a tree to the shade of another tree where she then collapsed for a rest.
I got to walk Lilly a beautiful black Australian Kelpie x Bull Terrier. Lilly’s eyes lit up at the sight of the beach and she was eager to investigate her surroundings. She was a great dog to walk but did pull a little on the lead but some training or regular walks would easily keep her in check. She had a few burst of energy where we ran from the shade of a tree to the shade of another tree where she then collapsed for a rest.
Lilly, like all the others were more than excited to be out of the shelter environment and enjoying the sun and the company of others. We hope desperately that they all find a loving home to call their own.
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