A Nice Place to Stay - and help animals...

Nothing to do with the House of York...

Yesterday I was over at the Tia Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue kennels and among other things was shown the beautiful holiday apartment they have just opened. It's in part of a stone farm building which I guess dates from the 17th century or thereabouts.

The location, near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, has a remote moorland feel to it - indeed the wind yesterday put me in mind of Wuthering Heights - but in a car it's actually not that far from a lot of places, including Haworth and the Bronte Country, the Yorkshire Dales, Bolton Abbey, York, Skipton, etc., etc. On the other hand, if you like moorland walking it's ideal for that too, and not a million miles away from the Pennine Way.

Prices are reasonable and money raised, after running costs, goes to supporting the 80 dogs in Tia's care. And get this - not only can you take your dog with you, you can even take your horse. (They have a couple of nice shires about the place.)

A very nice leaflet is available from Tia Greyhound & Lucher Rescue, PO Box 101, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 9AD. Or phone 07974 960684 for information and availability. If you fancy a holiday in Yorkshire, please consider this option.

Greyhounds

Edward, Duke of York, was a writer, his principal work being The Master of Game, written during a well-deserved spell in prison. (He is also reputed to have been a poet, though the one work I have seen attributed to him suggests he was not exactly up there with Chaucer.)

The Master of Game is a fascinating book, covering most aspects of medieval hunting in great detail. Much of it is a translation from an earlier work by Gaston Phoebus Count of Foix, but Edward did add five chapters of his own. One thing that becomes clear from Edward's writing is his regard for greyhounds. He classes them as 'fit for a knight or his lady' - in effect dogs for the nobility. Hunting was, of course, the preserve of the landed classes in the middle ages, although it was common for monks and other clergy to take part in the sport. (Monks often got in trouble for keeping unauthorised greyhounds.)

The reason I mention this is that greyhounds in our modern world are a much-abused breed, and need as much of our help as possible. If you can find it in your heart to give one a home, please do so - you will be rewarded with a loyal and loving companion, albeit one who may need to be watched while it learns not to chase cats and other small animals! Contrary to what you might think, they don't need a lot of exercise, and are more likely to wear out your sofa than your legs.

If you can't have one at home, why not sponsor one of the many rescue centres? You could do a lot worse than join me in supporting Tia Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue. They do a great job for these aristocratic animals!