THE reason I chose to make my life in London (in the 1950s) was the freedom to be able to walk my dog on Hampstead Heath, Waterlow Park, Highgate Woods and Cherry Tree Wood, and the brookside walks in Hampstead Garden Suburb. The Heath was an oasis from t
THE reason I chose to make my life in London (in the 1950s) was the freedom to be able to walk my dog on Hampstead Heath, Waterlow Park, Highgate Woods and Cherry Tree Wood, and the brookside walks in Hampstead Garden Suburb.
The Heath was an oasis from the countryside - no snares and gin traps, no gamekeepers, no sheep or even motorised traffic disturbed this refuge.
All dogs need plenty of free- running exercise. To deprive them of their natural movement would be to make them unhealthy and unhappy.
Dogs are, and always have been, our first friends (and our best friends). They came to live with us even before the ice age. They came of their own accord and ever since then have given us total loyalty and companionship unequalled. At times they voluntarily save our lives, sometimes even risking their own lives (no man has greater love than this).
We should rejoice that we have this gift of friendship (and often unrewarded service). We should celebrate dogs and give them the space they need and deserve - a proper place in our society and room to be free and to be with us, their chosen family.
MEG MATTINSON
Fortis Green, N2
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