Surely Rye must be the most dog-friendly place in the country. You only have to stroll around town at the weekend to observe a wonderful selection of different breeds, escorting their owners to enjoy everything on offer. From waggy-tailed retrievers to feisty little dachshunds, from sedate seniors (rather like myself) to bouncy little pups, the whole canine world is there to see. And it’s hardly surprising, after all.
Firstly, I’ve never known so many dog-friendly shops, cafes and pubs. With very few exceptions, dogs can be assured of a welcome with smiles, pats and often treats, pretty well as standard. And then there’s the walks. For those who like open spaces, we have the nature reserve stretching from the outskirts of town right down to Rye Harbour and beyond. For those who prefer to stay closer to home, there is a network of pathways, many of which are traffic-free, or you can take the 1066 path which heads towards Udimore. Heaven.
Last, but by no means least, there are the people. Rye is famous for being friendly and welcoming, but the locals have such wonderful taste! Often, when we are out and about, or having a quiet evening in one of Rye’s fantastic hostelries, people approach us with cries of, “Oh, what a beautiful dog! What’s his name? What breed is he? Can I stroke him?”
So of course my owners agree, and sit smiling smugly at how clever they are to have chosen to move to Rye.
Image Credits: Julie McLaren .