Agents of destruction

The autumn hunting season with its early mornings is H&H hunting editor Catherine Austen’s favourite time of year – even though the resident hound puppies are merrily causing chaos

- Catherine Austen

IS there any young mammal – human children included – that is as indulged as much as hound puppies? I am lucky enough to live somewhere that is practically rural heaven, and have the nicest landlords possible, who have a strong hunting involvement. But until last year, they had never walked hound puppies. It was a bit of a lockdown thing, possibly, and Gascoigne and Galaxy were adored and lived like baby royalty. Indeed, they stayed here so long that I did think that my landlady would only deliver them back to kennels on the morning of the puppy show.

In hindsight (and ignorance), they were remarkably well-behaved. This year’s couple, equally charming, are agents of destruction, and I think patience is wearing thin.

Raffle and Rambo’s growing list of destruction includes the review copy of Frankie Dettori’s new autobiography, a new bra from Victoria’s Secret (serves me right for branching out from M&S), a silk shirt from the washing line, some candles, a riding hat, a Nespresso delivery and numerous copies of H&H.