And Last on the Card is … March’s Virtual Dog

I have shamelessly engineered the last photo on my phone for February to be the one you see below. I wanted to showcase my Virtual Dog for March. Some of you may remember that to make sure I go out walking each and every day, I’m making sure of having a Virtual Dog who needs to be exercised. It’s a big ask of these dogs, so I think a month is enough.

In January, I had my friend Barbara’s lovely dog Dilys. In February, I (virtually) nicked the dog from Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. And this photo here, the last on my phone, is to be my Virtual Dog for March. I think she could be a bit of a handful, a bit keen on running after rabbits, but we’ll see.

Going out every day with Virtual Dog is definitely working for me. I’m out every single day, whatever the weather, and I now have 252.8 miles (406.84 km) under my belt this year. But I have nine more months after this to fill. I invite applications from interested dog-owners. Your dog will not have to leave your side, whether you live in England, America or Australia, but will join me daily for walks through the Yorkshire countryside, often in woodland, often by the river. There’ll be lots of chances to be off the lead, but especially during lambing season. will have to stay closely to heel across farmland. The only reward, apart from the walks themselves, will be the chance for your dog to feature on this blog.

Last on the Card. Here you are Brian. I know you’ve had a dig at those of us who don’t like to include our less-than-wonderful last images. But to misquote Bill Shankly: ‘Some people think that the last photo is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.’

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

58 thoughts on “And Last on the Card is … March’s Virtual Dog”

  2. A wonderful quote I should add onto the “rules”. How can I blank out everyones minds so they forget every month lol I love the idea of dog walking I would take the Chihuahuas but they end up wanting to be carried. Thanks for remembering to join in Margaret 🙂 🙂

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  4. Margaret, I love the way you think! That whippet must have done many more miles than you- she’s rake thin! I have absolutely no idea how many miles I’ve clocked up this year. Mick used to have an App that kept track but it used up all his battery and annoyed the life out of me, pinging! So it’s gone. We don’t care! I have an estate full of dogs you can have. Daft spaniel? Feisty Jack Russell? Snarly Alsatian? No, not that one- you might lose an arm. 😦

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  6. I could offer you my son’s girlfriend’s elderly chihuahua. She’s already in Yorkshire, so very used to the weather conditions. She has a fetching sou’wester for wet climes, a warm pink parka for the cold. She comes complete with pooch carrier as her arthritis means she can only walk about a mile so you would get an arm workout also whilst walking. She would present no risk at all to sheep. Are you persuaded? 😉

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    1. Hmm. It’s the idea of carrying her six or seven miles that’s not appealing, though maybe Virtual Dogs don’t weigh much? And the wardrobe sounds enticing. You’d better see what girlfriend thinks 😉

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  8. I hope that dog gets a good meal after his walk. My vet says you should be able to feel but not see ribs!
    Ps. You’re better than J Masefield

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  14. Thank you for two out-loud laughs in this post. You’re right, your March dog does seem capable of dragging you into lots of trouble on your walks, searching out rabbits and similar larks. Don’t let it off the lead, whatever you do.

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  15. I’d let you take my pugs on virtual walks, but they think they are royalty and I’m not sure that would want to walk that far each day. Plus they have little legs….at least that is what they tell me. 😀 I love your virtual dog for this month, it’ll definitely follow you around everywhere and you may have to chase after it too. 😀

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  16. You are so funny Margaret – I smiled all the way through this post! I really need to get a virtual dog too as I am such a couch potato at the moment. I don’t mind walking, but I am fed up walking around here, even though it is beautiful. Oh, well, maybe if the sun keeps shining. As for that Greyhound / Whippet make sure there are no cats close by either, one bite of the neck and kitty will be a dead un!

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    1. Well, we have a real live whippet next door, and it’s the rabbits who need to watch out. Our other neighbour’s cats seem safe – we hope!

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  17. I’m with Jude here; a very funny post Margaret.

    No dog to offer, I’m afraid. I think I need one myself. But like Jude, I’m a bored by the limited routes I can take rather than walking itself. And I can’t bring myself to drive somewhere to take a walk — not on a regular basis anyway.

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  18. Brilliant post! I love the dog – though I think he’ll need some extra food if he’s to keep up with you, Margaret.
    And you’re ahead of me on mileage by about 45 miles 😦 so I need to up my pace this month.

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    1. I guess I’m being competitive with myself. I know what I’m like – all or nothing, so nothing is not an option. You’ll be fine – the days are getting longer. Yup, that dog is taking ranginess to a new level, definitely.

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  19. Thanks for a laugh, Margaret. It was good to read that the Dalmatian found a home down the road, and Jo is right; they can be daft; we found that out after caring for one for weeks on end during our housesitting adventures.

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      1. That’s understandable and luckily all worked out. The dog we cared for was a lovely dog just not obedient or had any road sense. We were in the Andalucia countryside with some crazy country drivers. Nerve wrecking for housesitters.

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  22. Aren’t other countries building regs, or lack of them, fascinating! I’m always amazed in France how tatty the block work looks before the crépi goes on and makes it all look lovely.

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