Posting days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Monday

On Sunday evening, Isis makes us laugh. She is walking next to Conchobhar when Gra. suddenly turns round to face his dog. Isis promptly stops in her tracks and does a neat sit next to Conchobhar before looking up in anticipation of a treat.

For months she shied away from anyone outside her very small circle of human friends. Now, as long as she is left to make the first move, she will sniff a gently proffered hand and usually accept a treat.

She will also allow a gentle dog who approaches her from the front to sniff her nose. Today a sweet little Parson’s Jack Russell pokes his nose carefully into the Elizabethan collar. Noses meet for several seconds and Isis doesn’t shy away.

Even more amazingly, she now gives Conchobhar and Ben a brief sniff when she meets them. This is excellent for a dog who, as Kerry warned me, usually just ignores other dogs.

We only stay in the park for thirty-five minutes this morning as the sun is too low in the sky and Isis is fearful of the shadows. She doesn’t even want to snuffle in the woods.

But at home she is a very happy dog as, except for a lock-in while her tea goes down, she is free to dance, twirl, spin, trot or gallop in the back garden from 11.45 until 9.45. She also picks up the scent of some innocent creature in pursuit of which she digs a hole under the buddleia. She seldom stops for a rest and then only for two or three minutes.

Best of all, she doesn’t bite her tail today, although the naughty little thing is just able to reach it: unfortunately, the Elizabethan collar is not quite long enough.

The Polymath has been researching dog rage and has found some interesting web sites. Also, following Kerry’s advice, she has been finding out about local canine behaviourists. I will check out the information which she has given me.

And, putting sense before inclination, I think I will buy a muzzle tomorrow – for Isis, not me – so that I can deal with any canine first aid requirements and retain ten digits.

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