And I’m so glad I did, because this is probably the best secure dog field I’ve visited so far.
It’s one of those places we go fairly often, and although it’s more of a scenic beach stop than a full dog walk, it’s always worth a visit.
There are toilets at the car park, which is always handy, and normally you do have to pay to park. There was plenty of space when I arrived, and enough room to avoid the other dog when we got there, just one quick woof from Pepper.
The weather forecast looked promising, and it also happened to be Heidi’s 7th birthday, so it turned into a bit of a birthday getaway (she was very spoilt, of course).
It’s not a huge countryside walk like many of the places we normally go, but it’s a surprisingly pleasant park, and it actually has quite a bit of history behind it.
We usually park just over Manor Bridge, just outside Peebles, and do a loop towards Lyne Station (the old railway village), rather than heading into Peebles itself.
I used to associate muzzles with “scary dogs”. The kind you cross the road to avoid. If I’m honest, I probably avoided muzzled dogs in the past. I’d never had a reactive dog before, so I was completely disconnected from that world.
It’s not an area I know particularly well, but you might recognise the name, as it’s often used for outdoor concerts and large events.
We’re always on the lookout for quieter walks, especially ones just off the M8, so this seemed like an easy option.
And if Heidi gently tiptoed into our lives, Pepper crash-landed.
She came from the same rescue in Cyprus, just 15 weeks old. I thought getting a puppy would be easier. I thought Heidi would enjoy being the big sister. And I was absolutely convinced I could handle two dogs.