2026 marks 50 years of compassionate service provided by Sobell House Hospice in Oxfordshire. To honour this occassion, two staff members of the Sobell House charity team - Hailey and Deborah - will strive to explore 50 new dog walk destinations. This challenge will take place throughout the year and we welcome company on these occasions.

Join us, support us, and help fund Sobell House Hospice for the next 50 years.

Walk #1: Cothill National Nature Reserve

HELLO. Toby here. This was WALK ONE. Very important. Very official. I took it seriously. Mostly.

We went to Cothill. It was sunny but cold—the kind of air that makes you want to zoom. So I zoomed! Then I sniffed. Then I zoomed again.

The walk was about 2.5 miles, which is apparently “enough.” I disagree.

First important thing: SMELLS. So many. Other dogs (at least seven, maybe one million). Fox. Possibly ancient swamp creature. I needed to check all of them. Thoroughly. My human kept saying, “Toby, come on.” I was coming on. Just… diagonally.

Second important thing: MUD. Everywhere. Deep. Sneaky. Wet. I do not like wet feet. I tried to step only on the dry bits. There were not many dry bits.

HORSES. We saw horses. Very tall dogs. They stared at me. I stared at them. I wanted a closer look but my human said no—very disappointing.

It was a brisk winter afternoon and the sun made everything bright and exciting and full of Important Information. I may have pulled slightly. I may have tried to follow three Extremely Urgent scent trails. I regret nothing.

Walk One complete. 49 to go. I am ready!