when to let go of the dog's lead

Penny and I walked in beautiful Darebin Parklands, this evening, having a break from the Christmas rush. As we were strolling up the artificial hill that sits in the centre of the park, many people were in the shops in the midst of that last panicked buying spree before the shops close at 6 pm.







Penny was on the extending lead, because I'm not quite sure if the hill is on-lead or off-lead and I thought I'd better be extra careful because there are kangaroos in the park again.






As she's done so often lately, she took me by surprise. One minute she was at my side and a moment later I could feel the lead rushing through my hands at literally breakneck speed. No, she wasn't off after a kangaroo. Though I suspect that is what would happen if I weren't quick enough to spot one before she did - so far she has never seen one and I can't predict her reaction.


No, she was racing down the hillside after her ball, which had rolled down the slope.


I instantly let go of the retractable lead and it went bounding and leaping down behind her. Luckily it didn't catch on anything and drag her to a sudden halt. Remembering my fright when she raced towards the highway the other day, I called 'wait!', and felt enormously reassured to see her drop to her haunches and sit there as I clambered down the path to her.

I thought I'd post the pictures in a small size. If you'd like to see them larger, just click on a picture.