Great Western Coffee Shop

From PetPlan (https://www.facebook.com/PetplanUK/posts/pfbid0Hisko2kUQA2WBrMX2ZqWfCahQPqdSGwtaCBSJJRagL8jABUGmqyysyEY8QNmMJVXl) on Facebook - a video on taking your dog on the train or bus

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/dogonstation.jpg)

Personal view from history - feeding the dog treats to distract it all the time is not always the way to do it.

Neither of our Westies have needed any distraction whilst on the train. Our late Lucy (pictured here) loved staring out of the window, whilst our current one, Jessie, just loves interracting with other passengers (in a very friendly way!) when not watching the world pass by outside.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ww255/PhilWakely/train-westie.jpg)

And before anybody makes a comment about Lucy occupying a seat, this was a very brief 'staged' photo approved by the Train Manager in a virtually empty carriage. She was back on my good lady wife's lap straight afterwards!

Finn's travels are fairly well documented here in the Coffee Shop. As I type were on the Kent coast having a break after a few weeks of illness. Me, not Finn.

(https://i.ibb.co/CKbVxrp/IMG-20220924-065333.jpg)

Finn is a pretty chilled chap when travelling. Except on Class 165/166s for some reason. He never settles on them. Perhaps something to do with engine noise frequency. No other DMU's bother him. Distraction with toys and treats only works briefly on Turbos. I thus try to avoid them. All other trains he's absolutely fine. Even steam. He's only ever been spooked once at a heritage railway and that was when a stationary engine blew steam from the cylinder cocks right beside us. Didn't give him a permanent fear. He'll happily pose by kettles.

(https://i.ibb.co/zG2XY96/IMG-20190619-143119.jpg)

On our long journey yesterday, he spent most of it sleeping on my coat on the seat next to me. I'll always cover a seat and will of course not do so on a crowded train. I'll also put him on the floor if asked to do so by staff, or fellow passengers. Most guards will interact with Finn as he enjoys meeting people. Yesterday I had one SWR guard ask if he could photograph Finn for his 'Dogs on trains' Instagram page. Finn posed perfectly.

Shortly, we're off on the bus from Ramsgate to Margate. Again, Finn isn't bothered by bus travel. He'll soon settle on the floor, waiting for some interaction with passing passengers.

Down to Margate. Finn and I on a Jolly Boys' Outing.

Finn's first time on a Class 395 Javelin.
(https://i.ibb.co/g7NsbSm/IMG-20230126-160007.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/VgS0bMb/IMG-20230126-155847.jpg)

Lovely barrel vaulted foyer at Margate Station.
(https://i.ibb.co/Yf35LmQ/IMG-20230126-145932.jpg)

On the very breezy beach.
(https://i.ibb.co/gJvgrbF/IMG-20230126-144939.jpg)

I can vouch for his aversion to Turbos.  Very odd. Certainly unsettling for him. 

Dogs tend to mirror their owners ... so I suspect that JayMac display an aversion too.

Yep. Can't stand 'em!