How do you socialise a greyhound? Take him out for coffee.

Took the dogs to the beach for the weekend. We don't have steps at home, but there are steps at the beach house.

Davey managed to walk up into the house, but later, wouldn't walk down again. Tried gentle coaxing, but no deal. After a while, I bent down to his level, physically lifted his forelegs with my hands and placed them alternately on each lower step. And so we made it to the ground, (the back legs followed naturally if a little awkwardly. Effusive praise followed. They are fast learners, so no trouble with steps after that.

First, we went to the beach. It is always exciting to take a dog to the beach when you are not sure of whether they have seen water and waves before. Some of the foster dogs we have had in the past have been terribly frightened of waves (at first).

Davey was fine, but he's very curious and spends more time glancing around than looking straight ahead. Goldie tore on ahead, wearing her best Tartan coat.

Then it was time for some socialisation. Where better than the Blairgowrie cafe? It was a bright, sunny morning so there were lots of people out. We found a table and immediately some children came over and started petting Davey, while a couple of fifty-something English ladies, clearly dog-lovers, admired him and asked how long he had been out of 'captivity'!

Meanwhile, Frank the Fat Local Dog walked around looking for tidbits and various other dogs sat by their owners' tables. Goldie sat, watching.

Davey enjoyed the attention. And lots of people got to see how gentle and well-accepted the greyhound was. It is not always the way. After all, a very large brindle dog wearing a muzzle (legally required until the fostering process is finished) can sometimes give a different impression to that conveyed by, for example, a cute ball of fluff Shih-Tzu wearing a pink ribbon and sitting on its owner's lap.

Of course, Davey's Burberry coat helped. You should have seen him. What a sight.

Then it was enough socialisation and back to the beach house for a Very Large Bone each, enjoyed in the sun in the backyard.