It was a fairly bleak morning and very cold on the Saturday of the Open 'Morning' at the Sun Valley Kennels of the Celia Cross Greyhound Trust. It was the middle of December. To allow for the uneven track down to the kennels and the limited parking a bus ran to and from Newlands Corner. By 11 o'clock a good queue had formed, many with their dogs, some reinforced with a cup of tea from the local kiosk to combat the chill. A few snowflakes fluttered down.

At the kennels various stalls had been set up, tea, hot rolls and other sustenance was available and a few hardy folk even sat on chairs in a gazebo to rest their limbs. There were plenty of dogs to be seen not only in the kennels but standing with their owners in a way that only greyhounds can achieve. Not a bit of aggression but just showing off their winter coatings.

'I thought I might wear the green one today, it goes well with the tinsel, you know.'

'Doesn't my owner look ridiculous in that Christmas hat, it's quite embarrassing to us dogs.'

There were thing to buy, goodies for the dogs, tombola to test your luck to win prizes of dubious value and new outfits for the dogs and owners. It is always pleasant to chat to the other owners.

And of course there were the current greyhounds awaiting new owners all in their jackets and in the warm. It is always difficult to see these dogs and not to wish to take one away with you. Would your husband notice just one more dog in the house? What difference would one more dog make?

Another happy occasion.