Saturday

Parks are ubiquitous in Birmingham. We are very lucky.

This morning I have to call at a house in Bournville and Isis comes too. She likes the car and appears not to mind waiting in it for me.

We are too late to meet Gr. and Conchobhar in Kings Heath Park so cross the road and go into Cotteridge Park. I’ve not explored this part of it before.

Isis enjoys clambouring up and down steep slopes so we descend from the road via a grassy bank rather than following the path.

The sun is bright but it is cold and the ground is still frosty in the shade. I think that the sharp light/shade contrast may be too much for Isis. But she is a brave little dog: I let her choose where we will walk and, although she is hesitant at times, she doesn’t refuse. There are very enticing scents and she sniffs among the leaves as she walks, picking her way carefully through the dappled undergrowth.

We walk for almost an hour and, apart from jumping and cowering at unexpected people shadows, Isis negotiates her way calmly.

When we return home she endures the bathing of her back feet in salt water, enjoys a treat and makes her way upstairs to bed.

Isis came from the Aeza cat and dog rescue and adoption centre in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@aeza.org or  www.dogwatchuk.com