The Ghost of Lurcher Future

[smallmouth 1]

It’s hard to avoid posting these days, without seeming gloomy about the future.

 

And for me, there’s still an air of unreality about the ban anyway. Saturday teatime we were mooching some relatively virgin yellow grassland down by the river. She put up an unexpected big rabbit from the yellow grass, a very large rabbit that she turned after a good run up, and boxed in against the high chainlink fence on the way back. It was only a small gap in the wire that saved the big rabbit, which went clattering up the embankment onto the railway. I was glad she couldn’t follow, it's a bit late for big rabbits, and at best her feet would’ve suffered, the worst could’ve been very bad.........

 

Caught up in the contest between hunter and hunted, it was only afterward when she was cooling off in the river that I thought........“lucky that big rabbit wasn’t a hare, else we’d’ve been unintentionally breaking the law”.............

 

And had the very worst happened, what would I have done then? What would the sensible options be? Well assuming the ban isn’t going to be repealed anytime soon I could........

 

Replace her with another Collie x Greyhound, (obviously from a less risky source). But do I really need, (as opposed to just want), a working lurcher of that intensity? Only if I had some decent permission to satisfy it, somewhere I could set my stall out to do a proper job of rabbit control. Otherwise sooner or later some busybody is going to start taking an interest, and on the places I go........

 

I could downsize? That Collie/Whippet looks nice, but could be just as intense. What if the Act was amended to a TOTAL ban, would I really need a lurcher that clever? Would a half Collie be happy doing summer show obedience only? Would I?

 

Maybe I should go for something ¾ whippet? Or even 100% whippet and a bushing/ratting terrier?

 

Or an elegant, fast, rough coated brindle lurcher about the size of a large whippet. Something bright enough, but not too bright, interested enough, but not fanatical. Something capable of working the hedgerows, with the speed for sprinting after a daytime rabbit or running the rag, and the temperament for standing in the ring at shows. Looks the part but low maintenance, as much a summer as a winter lurcher, not quite a “toy” Deerhound, but something that could survive a total ban without going completely nuts..............

 

Because I don’t want to break the law, whether by poaching or by flouting the unjust Hunting Act. I will if I have to, but I don’t get a buzz out of danger, it takes the edge off my enjoyment these days. It all hinges on how serious they're going to take it, once the election is out of the way..

 

But back in the real world, I still have a Collie X Greyhound stood there grinning at me, up to her belly in cold running water. I’d better look after this one and enjoy her as much as I can, because if things stay the same or get worse, I might not own her like again.

[blackstar 0]

OR just say f**k the ban

[smallmouth 1]

OR just say f**k the ban

 

you cheered me up anyway!

[Guest chilli]

nice post an all as per usual small mouth , it got me thinkin about wat u said an i think the only thing i really give a f**k about is the busybodys stickin there oars in places they aint wanted ! people who will/have turned a nice peaceful pastime into a shoulders lookin pastmine

[roache 0]

Get a 3/4 beddy whip. Scruffy enough to be a street cur quick and brave enough to get most things. Then keep ya sell t ya sell, and enjoy.

 

Roache

[polecat 1]

:aikido: i remmember some old guy off smoochers used :ph34r: too write post of that magnatude and they where excelent :friends:

[Flynn 314]

:aikido: i remmember some old guy off smoochers used  :ph34r: too write post of that magnatude and they where excelent   :friends:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you will find that Young Guy is here :ph34r: you will soon pick up on his style of writing :friends:

I think we chewed this over Smally elsewhere and while we all said we would carry on and we mostly do... :ph34r: i would NOT risk loosing My Dogs for no one

and in my case prolly my home, by the same token its pays to see all n say nowt

Smally your a great debater n writer

you should use your talents in higher places

[Kane 2]

If hunting is in your blood there can be no compromises,the ability or drive in certain crosses doesnt change the fact your braking the law,I find the new laws agrevating and unjust definatly an inconveniance but it gives you 2 choices either carry on doing what comes natural or throw the towel in.Circumstances can dictate what path you choose but then again how about changing them.Good luck with whatever path people choose,remember you never regret the things you have done as much as the things you havnt.