Hard News by Russell Brown

Mo’ wheelie action.

So many bikes! And more e-bikes than I've ever seen in the wild before.

That kid up the pole in the selfie pic has some mad skillz - I could never get that high at her age. And the last shot with the greyhound in it near broke my heart. It's the spitting image of my hound who died (of old age) last year. Wonderful, wonderful pets.

And the last shot with the greyhound in it near broke my heart. It’s the spitting image of my hound who died (of old age) last year. Wonderful, wonderful pets.

Aw.

I'd heard this about greyhounds, and a few weeks ago I went to a barbecue where there were a couple of pet greyhounds and it was all true. They were a lovely presence.

Another one.

I walked up and down K Road on Sunday afternoon, and was impressed. What really struck me was how unforced the enjoyment was, just people out doing a variety of things, many of them free or cheap, a simple do-it-yourself festival. It was packed, and "diversity" wasn't just a corporate slogan, it was real. Unlike Sky City, which promotes fun but sucks it away, this was the central Auckland I want to live in.

Well done to everyone who made it happen. More please.

Looks really great! And who knew you don't need your city to fall down before the community can reclaim public space?

Damn, looks like I've missed the final Dick Smith markdown.

I'd heard this about greyhounds, and a few weeks ago I went to a barbecue where there were a couple of pet greyhounds and it was all true. They were a lovely presence.

They are. We had her for 7 years and she was always quiet an placid (except for thunderstorms and fireworks). Even with other greyhounds they just lie down next to each other and watch the world go by. Unless they're in a paddock, and then they go hell for leather for 10 minutes and then lie down for twenty. Fabulous dogs. If anyone is looking for an excellent family pet, I recommend Greyhounds as Pets which rehomes dogs coming out of the racing "industry" - many are still put down when they reach the end of their "economic life", which is at about 4 years old. It's an "industry that I'd like to see put down.

Damn, looks like I've missed the final Dick Smith markdown.

I think they all closed Monday last week.

It was great walking on K Rd with no cars and so much room to move around. First Sunday of every month, every Sunday? It would really take of. Such a good vibe and all generations enjoying it.

ust people out doing a variety of things, many of them free or cheap, a simple do-it-yourself festival.

Yes! People sorted themselves out, which was nice.

It was packed, and “diversity” wasn’t just a corporate slogan, it was real.

I was in a Twitter discussion about the level of diversity, and it's true the area itself is pretty white. But there was a real range of people there.

Unlike Sky City, which promotes fun but sucks it away, this was the central Auckland I want to live in.

And Sky City has been allowed to literally bolt down tables and chairs in the public roadway, while K Road hospo has had major obstacles to even using the footpath. I really hope the council is getting the message that it needs to work with the little people.

Well done to everyone who made it happen. More please.

Preach that!

I was about to say the same thing as you Martin. Had so much fun on Sunday it should happen more. Great photos Russell thanks for sharing.

A pet greyhound killed my neighbour's cat. In the street, right in front of our house. Just saying.

Remember greyhounds are hunting dogs bred and trained to chase and kill other animals. That's what they think they are doing when they race. YMMV but you have to ask whether these are ideal characteristics for a family pet.

Jeez, Nick, all breeds of dogs will kill cats, rabbits and such-like, given the right circumstances.

Official stats show Greyhounds in 2015 had a total population of 4,523 with 9 classed as menacing (could mean they growled at someone) and 0 as dangerous. Boxers, for comparison, have a population of 5,262 with 31 menacing and 11 dangerous. Of the 592 dangerous dogs, 0 were greyhounds.

They are not "bred and trained to chase and kill other animals", at least, not in NZ and Australia (dogs are often transferred trans-Tasman to diversify bloodlines). They are bred to run fast after an artificial lure. I understand in Ireland and Spain, they are still used to chase rabbits (coursing) but even that is about turning the hare rather than catching it (I'm told coursing used to happen in Otago as well, but not now). A pack of greyhounds in a field will run round the field at high speed without a lure. They really love to run.

You're taking one edge case and applying it to a whole breed. There have been no incidences of children being mauled by greyhounds, or faces torn off, or anything of that nature. My girl lived with 2 cats and everyone knew that the older cat was the boss. On walks, she would show interest in saying hello to a cat but never once tried to chase one.

You took a cat for walks?

You took a cat for walks?

I see how it could be read that way ;-) Oddly enough, when we first got the dog and started walking her, the younger cat would follow us at least to the end of the street. Maybe he was hoping we wouldn't bring the dog back.