Ann Greene

WE DID IT!!!!

https://events.dogstrust.ie/fundraisers/anngreene

That’s it!!! My September month of fundraising walks for Dogs Trust Ireland (DTI) is complete.

Not only has your support helped me achieve Dogs Trust Ireland’s (DTI) objective to raise €99 by walking 99 km in September, you helped blow that goal out of the water. Your support raised almost €600 for DTI and motivated me to walk 309.14 km – a daily walking average of 10.3 km!

So, what did this month teach me? Even beyond his death, I am still learning from this super-Westie. To narrow it down, my top 3 lessons (very hard to choose from many) from Cody’s life have been:

Carpe Diem: At the mention of “Adventure”, Cody was up, ready, and couldn’t wait to get out the door. Together, we travelled by foot, train, boat, kayak (I kid you not) and car. He was the perfect adventurer and buddy! He seized every opportunity and was up for any journey. No matter where or how we travelled, he had a fan club, every age, admiring and giving him attention. Dogs live mindfully for every moment – something we humans can really learn from.

Eternal Optimism: House rules dictate that dogs are never fed from our table. However, Cody would get tasty morsels once we finished eating. Rather than wait for us to “deliver” to his bowl, Cody would guess when our meals were ending. He’d sidle over to his water bowl beside our table, have a quick drink, then sneak under the table and … lurk. If we didn’t move, our legs would be treated to a serious “thunk” by his nose, reminding us that he was ready and waiting. His optimism never failed, and even when there were no leftovers, we’d find something yummy and healthy for him.

Clear communication: The number of words Cody understood was incredible. He’d even translate tone and expression. In reverse, he’d “tell” me exactly what he wanted (or expected), without words. If his water bowl needed refilling, he’d walk to it and eyeball me until he got the right response. If it wasn’t delivered in time, that nose would “thunk” my leg, and he’d “direct” me to what he wanted. If online workshops got in the way of his expectations, he’d launch himself into my lap and park in front of my screen. Indeed, through my online college classes, he was a frequent 16.45 visitor, reminding all of us that “dinner time” was 17.00. A “Master” of clear communication.   

For those of you who have followed my September adventures, I hope you understand a little more why this little guy was so precious. Rescues typically come with lots of insecurities, and Cody was no different. His were often masked by “fight or flight” – or in his case, fight AND flight. Beyond that, Cody was incredibly loving, faithful and hugely adventurous. He added heaps of fun and happiness to my life. It's super quiet without him.

THANK YOU to each of you whose donations will help DTI keep Cody’s memory alive by caring for and rehoming several other dogs. For each of you whose furry kid has passed over that rainbow bridge, here’s wishing that they’re waiting for us when we too arrive that way. Anyone who would still like to donate, Cody’s donation link above remains active, and every euro will help.

And a final note as I sign off: This evening, when I started writing this blog, a robin spent several minutes hopping along the back fence, looking right in at me. As I finish, a white feather is sitting on the patio. Coincidence? You decide! 

RIP Cody. xx

20 days and 211 kms later ...

https://events.dogstrust.ie/fundraisers/anngreene/99k-for-canines-september-2025

People’s generosity to this 99K fundraiser in Cody’s memory is amazing. Thank you to each of you who have kindly and generously donated, bringing success as the end sight for this goal  

As I’ve been walking lots, I’ve missed sharing where the past 2 weeks of my September Cody 99kms adventures have taken me, and why.

Lets start with “Why”: Why did I really start this goal? When Cody died, I missed the sense of daily purpose that this super pet gave: our meal routines (always hovering hopefully behind us when we cooked, in the hope of snaffling something we’d drop), our “chats” when he’d look at me wisely, and his constant, faithful companionship. When I learnt that a €99 donation to @Dogs Trust Ireland funds the apx. cost of a rescue dog for a year, I knew I needed to play a part. My purpose is to step your donations into annual support for 5 dogs. This way, these rescue dogs can find their way to a loving forever home.  

As of 20 Sept, I’ve walked 211.93 kms, averaging 10.09 kms a day. These daily walks have given me many great “dog fixes” along the way, and lots of chats with proud paw parents. Aren’t dogs just our best connectors? 

A few highlights:

Dun Laoghaire:  enjoying the stunning views from the harbour, looking over at Howth, is a perfect day trip and one Cody and I made often. He always had a fan club on our train trips, and loved people watching from the train.

Newbridge House: the grounds of Newbridge House Domaine are the perfect place for dog adventures. As a member of the Croquet Club, Cody would come with me to the lawns, watching closely while I played and loving the “afters” when we’d have coffee, he’d get treats and we’d explore the grounds afterwards.

Howth: A great 13km walk is to leave the train at Howth Junction and walk through Sutton to Howth, and around Balscaddan bay. The best ending is either a Gino’s ice-cream (mine) or a chowder at The Dog House – the most dog-friendly restaurant who spoil our furry kids with treats.

Milan: What an amazing dog-friendly city. Outside so many shops, a water bowl is waiting, caring for the furry kids. I've been spoiled with the company of my lovely friend Rosy's dog, Charlie.

Only 10 days left in this challenge. It's been such a fun time, despite the sadness of missing this gorgeous buddy, Cody. 

I'll update you again at the end of this goal. For now, onwards for my next walking adventures!

One week down, three to go!!!

Wow, what a quick week! Week 1 has flown and, having walked 63.85kms, this means 64% of my September Dog’s Trust Ireland (DTI) challenge is done! Methinx its time to increase my target!

Before I go on, I’m sending a huge THANK YOU to Trish, Miriam, Judith and Michael. Your donations have meant the €99 target is exceeded already. Now, let’s get you up to date.

Cody-less walks are very different. As he was just shy of 15 years, our walks were getting shorter and more often. Without him, I cover more ground faster. Would I trade this to have him back? In a heartbeat! RIP Cody.  

My daily average was 9K. However, I had 2 slow days as 4^th was my birthday (Yayyyh!) when the Laytown beach Races got my attention. Lucky me: how cool that they chose my birthday for this amazing annual event. Great birthday celebrations at my friends’ beach home meant that 5^th was … well … a slower day 😉! I caught up the other days.

Bettystown to the River Boyne The week’s ramblings started here. This was one of Cody’s and my favourite walks. Watching the gulls foraging, hearing the bird calls and enjoying the sea swimmers whoops as they dunk into the waves is one of life’s best therapies. Now, it’s my easy way for "dog-fixes", watching happy hounds enjoy freedom and the smells of beach life. A few “regulars” have spotted that Cody is missing and I really appreciate their caring words. I still find talking about his loss tough, though it's getting easier. Dog people “get” this gap, and several have experienced their own loss of precious paws.

Home to Laytown. Walking this side of Bettystown beach always seems shorter as there's lots more than wildlife to distract me. The beautiful beach homes keep me mentally plotting which would be mine if I won the lottery. Minor challenge: I don’t play the lottery! At Laytown, Gilna’s Cottage Inn has the best coffee to break the walk and people watch. This was a Cody favourite: dogs never forget who gives them treats!

From the Nanny to the Delvin. This walk from Laytown to Gormanston is stunning and walkers can detour into the dunes or through beach scrub for a change of scenery and pace. Cody loved it as wildlife scents kept his terrier’s inquisitive nose is always working, looking for opportunities.

Malahide Castle. The castle grounds were Cody’s happiest squirreling places. He never stopped trying to climb trees in the hope of catching these elusive smart critters.

Dublin city Train trips were a favourite Cody adventure. He always found a fan club and loved pressing his nose to the window, watching the world go past. The city parks were great fun too, people and duck watching.

These were last week’s highlights. With work getting in the way this week, I’ll need to be creative to keep my Km's high. Watch this space and lets see where my adventures in Cody’s name will take me. 

Thanks again for last week’s donations. This is the link to my DTI fundraiser page.

https://events.dogstrust.ie/fundraisers/anngreene 

All contributions will be super-gratefully received. 

Thank You.