September 8th
The sun is bright again today and low in the sky.
Isis heads for a gap in the hedge, exits the car park and happily explores the shrubbery. But when I attempt to join the other dog walkers, she refuses to move.
We have established who is boss: Isis.
Too late, I recognize what I have taught her: ‘Say “no” and I’ll get what I want.’
We battle for thirty minutes, I determined to walk on with Isis at left heel and Isis determined to return to the car park, no heel.
Eventually – and with the help of a loud, sharp bark from May the border collie – we begin to move where I want to go.
We complete a half circuit of the park. It takes us an hour and a half.
But I am determined: I won’t pull her and she won’t pull me. If it takes half an hour for her to move forward, so be it.
