Just reading through Jools thread made me think,there is a woman that walks a cocker in the same places as i do.
I saw her recently in a field near to me,it has a worn path around the perimeter,and through the middle.
I take Ruby in there maybe twice per week,but under no circumstances do i let her venture far off of the path as there is masses of seed,and well off the path it is thigh high in grasses.
I saw her last week,wondered where the dog was,then could see the tall grass moving,he was running through it
He came out covered in seed on his back,i made a friendly remark about seed being the cocker enemy,she asked why......she didn't have a clue
She told me he had a lump in his paw that had been there a while and that the "groomer" didn't get it out <sigh>
I told her about them travelling in the body,hope it sunk in
This is someone that has walked their pup at marching pace on and off a hard surface for 30-45 minute bursts since they were first taken out.....
Ignorance is bliss,but theres no need for it
sorry to hijack and ramble on