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Jane Steeves said that every Saturday, her Shar-peis Brando and Stella will just
"hound" her until they can get into the car and travel to an area trail to pad around with others.

"They know it's Saturday and they don't let me relax unless I take them," said Steeves of Norton.

Christine Lyons of Attleboro said the same is true of her two greyhounds, Sanz and Tico.

"It's amazing how they know the day of the week," she said.

Saturdays are special because that's the dogs' day out with Trail Bound Hounds, an informal local group that promotes "dogs and their people walking together." It was started by two North Dighton neighbors, Marie DeLellis and Kerri Lopes, who began walking their greyhounds together two years ago. "Being greyhound owners, we're a bit fanatical," she said.

The women decided to start up the group after they couldn't find anything like it in the area. They now have about 30 faithful members, with about 50 more on the group's e-mail list.

Humans and their dogs gather to stroll and socialize every Saturday, starting at around 9 a.m., if weather permits. They stroll paths, parks and woods throughout southeastern Massachusetts.

The most recent walk was at Bird Park in Walpole. The next one is set for Dec. 1 at the state forest in Foxboro, where the canines will be decked out in holiday hound wear for pictures with Santa. There are no fees to be a member.

Members have also bonded in support of others in dog nation; a number are expected to attend the third annual Jingle Bells Walk on Dec. 9 in Boston. Proceeds from the 90-minute event will go to canine cancer research.

Trail Bound Hounds does not discriminate. While most participating dogs are greyhounds, all breeds are welcome, said DeLellis, noting that a recent walk included both a Pomeranian and a Great Pyrenees. DeLellis has two greyhounds, Rizzo and Kiwi, that she got through Greyhound Friends in Hopkinton.

Trail Bound Hounds "hikes" close to 50 trails. "We say 'hike,' but you don't need more than sneakers," DeLellis said. And you don't have to be an "outdoors person," she added, acknowledging she's usually just as comfortable on her couch.

Trails on the dog walk change every week and have included the North Attleboro Fish Hatchery, the Colman Reservation in Attleboro, the town forest in Rehoboth and Birchwold Farm in Wrentham. Each trail is rated by the group as to how suitable it is for older dogs. Some trails are given a "senior" listing. "That 'senior' pertains to dogs, not owners," DeLellis noted.

"One of the main reasons (for the walks) is to socialize, and we want to get out there and enjoy these places," DeLellis said.

"It's different from just taking your dog out for a potty break. It's important for them to get out." Steeves, who joined the group within a year of it starting, said the outings give both her and her Shar-peis much needed exercise and time outdoors.

"I really don't have the time to walk them as much as I'd like to," she said. "They get out with other dogs and socialize, which is important, especially with my breed. You have to do that so that they don't become aggressive."

Steeves said she personally enjoys meeting different people from different places. "And it helps me to get out and exercise."

Some members are so reliant on the outings, DeLellis said, that they will get testy e-mails when a walk is canceled because of the weather.

She said dogs wait by the doors of their homes on Saturdays. They recognize the cars in the lots when they arrive.

"It's just a great way to get the dogs out," said Heyworth, who joined the group a little over a year ago to help her greyhound Sanz get over her shyness with other breeds.

Now, Sanz and Tico "go crazy Saturday morning" in anticipation of their romps with other dogs.

"It's amazing how so many dogs can be all together," Heyworth said, noting that it can be "hard to have that many people together" that get along.

Sometimes the group is so large, they break up in smaller packs and keep in touch by radio, DeLellis said. It can be a sight to behold when a person on the trails encounters this large walking group, she agreed. But that's also how they've found a lot of their members.

"We usually get stopped by somebody" who asks questions and gets interested in joining, DeLellis said. "It's pretty neat, especially in the winter when they're wearing their coats."

(For more information about Trail Bound Hounds and a schedule of walks and events, go to www.trailboundhounds.org.)

SUSAN LaHOUD can be reached at 508-236-0398 or at slahoud@thesunchronicle.com.