The excellent weather continues and to celebrate a new season of adventuring Charlie has a new Flexi lead.
At 8m long the Flexi giant tape leash is heavier duty than previous leads we have used, so we were keen to give it a go and to see how it performed.
One instant thing to notice was the additional weight and size of the handle mechanism that the humans hold on to.
Weighing approximately 600g it features a tape which appears to be made of a light seat belt like fabric.
The handle features a locking button that can stop the lead expanding or contracting.
Reflective properties
Unlike the thin corded leads the wide tape is more easily seen. Hopefully runners or cyclists, who love to sneak up on us from behind, will slow down realising that we are connected to our humans.
We did notice that the grey tape does not have any reflective or day glow properties. Here we think the manufacturers have missed a trick. Could we suggest that it should be quite easy to weave a couple of safety fibres into the material to improve visibility?
It is also worth noting that the lead holder is exposed. This may be a cause for concern if a child is to use it, to hold on to their pet. One advantage to this is that the tape could be easily replaced or repaired without dismantling the mechanism.
Review
We purchased, well dad did, via an online store called pet-supermarket.co.uk at a cost of £25.90. Other online retailers also stock the lead and no doubt it could be purchased via your local pet store.
In review we all thought this new lead would be better than a corded version due to:
- the tensile strength – it can better restrain Charlie when he is eager to get in to water
- the ability for the humans to grab the tape in an emergency rather than risk a rope burn or nasty digit strangulation
- and the ability of humans to see the wider lead
We have one experiment we need to try when it gets warmer. What happens after Charlie has been for a paddle and the tape gets wet. Mum wants to know if the tape will naturally dry or if it will need un -rolled and draped over a radiator.
We will let you know our conclusion to this question later.
Dry weather
Also enjoying the fine weather this afternoon were a number of fishermen. Many could be seen clad in green rubber waders standing waist deep in the River Eden near to the castle.
Charlie thought that this was a good sign and wanted to jump in to assist. Mum explained that he would scare away the fish and possibly get banned from every river for the rest of his life. He returned from the river bank with the look of a scolded child refused access to the sweet jar.
It is hard to believe that after months of rain the river is so low, but is wonderfully clear and glistens in the late afternoon sunshine.
Purple crocus
Many of the early spring flowers are now carpeting path and road edges. In Victoria Park, near to the centre of Carlisle, purple crocus are flowering bringing some colour to the low grass borders.
It should not be too long before bright yellow daffodil trumpets stand proud above the flower borders in many gardens and on roadsides heralding spring is truly here.
Until next time, big licks
Buster and Charlie