Posting days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Saturday

I’ve done quite well. This week for about ten out of fourteen times I wait quietly while my meal is prepared. If I say anything Human leaves the kitchen and sits in the garden for two whole minutes. I’m good after that.

Once my food is presented I score fourteen out of fourteen for sitting quietly until I get the signal to eat.  That’s a touch under my chin with a finger. How was I to know that she’d go off and leave me tea-less for fifteen minutes if I persisted in throwing myself at my dish. And I had to growl at her because she was in my way. Deliberately too. Are humans allowed to blackmail dogs Kerry?

It really is essential to woof away the scavengers and they get the message much more quickly when one stands on one’s back feet and places one’s front ones on the wall or in one’s food dish. It’s come to my notice though that it’s no longer necessary to snarl and growl at them. Not sure why. Perhaps they’ve realised that I’m in control. My barking seems much more muffled too. That’s probably because my mouth is full and I’m trying to swallow something.

Now, refraining from snarly spinning once my bowl is empty is really challenging. Who wouldn’t be cross when their breakfast or tea has gone? She might forget to give me any bedtime treats. But I can tell it narks her. I would say I’ve scored about seven out of fourteen here.

It’s become evident that as long as it’s not sunny, a dog is expected to walk with its human in the park. For some reason it’s not acceptable to walk in the opposite direction or suddenly change your mind about where you wish to go. Human used to be much more tolerant. They’re so unpredictable, people. One minute you’re allowed to follow up scents, the next you’re being dragged away from a tasty morsel you’ve tracked down. And they don’t like it when you complain. What do they expect?

Do you ever get the feeling that you’ve been duped? She was definitely not allowed to approach my bottom for any reason whatsoever. Now she thinks she has the right to brush it every morning. A week ago I’d have given her what for, I’ll tell you. Why am I not biting her or even snarling? Something’s wrong here.

One thing’s for sure. I’m not putting up with her having lights on while we’re relaxing in the evening. Nor when I’m trying to get to sleep on her bed. There are limits you know.

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.c