Return to the New Forest

We haven't taken Jasper to the New Forest for years, because he associates it with deer - he switches into hunting mode before we're even out the car, and every time we went he'd pick up a new minor injury after getting a whiff or a flash of deer and taking off. But now he's older and slower, the deer have nothing to worry about, even if he still thinks they do. So off we went this morning

He was really keen when we got there, and once we'd made sure that he was still uninterested in the New Forest ponies, we let him off. He had a wonderful time, trotting purposefully off to scout in all directions, and staring into the distance, one ear up and the other down. I haven't seen him look so animated and focused, or move so well, in ages We're going to aim to do this a lot more now. There's still a risk that he'll injure himself or worse, but he'd say it's a risk worth taking.

Couple of vids:

 

Let me know if you fancy meeting up for a walk while you're there, Tinytom. Just as long as the dogs don't have to stay 2m apart as well as us!

@excuseme, no, we didn't see any deer today, which must be a first. When we got there (Picket Post area, to the west side) the car park was quite full but we hardly saw any people on the walk. We chatted to a couple with a Border terrier on a long line, and a young spaniel. The BT was lead reactive but had poor recall, and they told us that they'd just been sworn at by a dog trainer who let his dogs run up to the BT, who they had on a short lead at that point, and then told them that they should keep their dogs under control and the BT should wear a muzzle... Some dog trainer

 

I like that, Rinkydinkydo! Yes, it's the focus, the 'being in the zone', that of course doesn't come over that well on a video clip. Though to be fair most times I pointed my phone at him he just went to the nearest bush and lifted his leg!

 

Oh yes, he's still got it - and true to form, he won't give it back

 

You're right, he's always been in his element in heathland, and loves scanning the horizons. I miss the days when one moment he'd be scanning the horizon and the next moment he'd be on the horizon!

 

@Ari_RR, it's 566km² - I've just looked it up, didn't know it off the top of my head! And it's neither new nor, for most of it, forest Leaves are just beginning to turn here, depending on species.

We went on a few group lurcher walks here in the past, which was great fun. Jasper would get wildly excited, say hello to all the pointy friends, have a run/play with them when let off lead, then get back to the serious business of looking for deer while the others chased each other round in circles (or sometimes in a very long straight line.....).