Dogs put their best paw forward as awareness of retired greyhounds was raised at a special walk.

The Great Global Greyhound Walk attracted more than 40 dogs in Pakefield last Sunday. The walk, which raised awareness of greyhounds, lurchers and other sight hounds and highlighted their suitability as family pets, was hailed a success.

Pets and their owners headed out from the car park on All Saints Road for the walk from Pakefield to Claremont Pier and back. This is the fourth time the event has been organised in Lowestoft by Rebecca Carr.

Now a global event – with 102 walks running in the UK and 49 walks throughout the rest of the world including the USA, Philippines, Australia and Abu Dhabi – it is all part of a campaign to raise awareness of the number of retired racing dogs in need of loving homes.

Becky Carr said: 'It went really well. The walk totals were 3,539 walking in the UK – 40 sighthounds in Lowestoft – and 1,482 walking throughout the rest of the world. To have 40 greyhounds – all retired racing dogs – come together walking with like-minded owners was great.

'We had people who had not attended before, as well as our regulars coming along. The dogs like to meet with their own, and it is nice to meet up with like-minded people.'

Admitting that Greyhounds are 'very quiet, loyal, lazy dogs' with 'lots of character,' she added: 'We had lots people looking at the dogs on the route and we hope it gets others interested in rehoming the greyhounds as there are several branches locally.

'There were more walks going on across the country than ever before, it was fantastic.'

Greyhounds normally finish their racing careers at four or five years old but dogs that do not make the racing grade are re-homed as young as 18 months.

Miss Carr became interested in greyhounds after re-homing former racing dog, David's Best Mate, from Yarmouth Homefinders in Hainford, which is part of the Retired Greyhound Trust.

David became well-known thanks to a blog ghost-written by his owner and he built up a massive online following as 'he' recounted his love of 'sosidges', snoozing and going for walkies.

David died in 2014 and Miss Carr completed last Sunday's walk with her current greyhound Arthur.

? To find out more about re-homing a retired racing dog, visit www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk