Posting days: Sunday and Wednesday and, sometimes, maybe, extra ‘news flashes’!

Sunday August 14th 2016

It’s less than a month since I went to Wales and left little Isis at Ray’s Holly Trees kennels. The staff assure me that she is very settled and relaxed there, and I know that she is in good hands, but I still feel concerned to be leaving her behind again.

This is her third visit. She knows where she is and pulls back as we walk towards the entry gate. But she allows me to usher her through and, when one of the staff takes her lead, Isis trots off beside her. Apparently, when she reaches her doggy bed-sit, she pops straight in.

I’ll be away for four nights, visiting an old school friend and her partner. I’ll take the train there but my friend wants to drive me back. (Two years ago she visited and was so horrified by the state of the garden that she returned and led the initial bramble attack. Now she wishes to check that the improvements have been followed up! She will also be able to meet Isis.)

Friend decides it’ll be more enjoyable to drive on A roads as far as possible, only joining the motorway as we approach Birmingham.

We set off in good time. But we have forgotten that A roads involve dozens of traffic lights and that sign posting seems to disappear as soon as one approaches town centres. Soon we realise that we’ll not have time to return to my house before we collect Isis. We’ll have to pick her up on the way home.

When we arrive at Holly Tress, Tracey tells me that Isis has been a very good dog.  Adam goes to fetch her. When she arrives, I am struck by how cheerful and healthy she looks, and how beautiful she is. She picks up my scent immediately, and wags her tail enthusiastically. She allows me to give her many more cuddles than usual – she is not a cuddly dog – and even gives my nose a lick. I’m thrilled, of course.

She barks at the strange car, but gets in when prompted. I sit next to her in the back seat and she plonks her front paws on my knees. Although she utters a couple of low woofs when she catches the scent of an unknown driver, she behaves impeccably.  She accepts pats and strokes all the way home, wagging her tail in gentle acknowledgement.

She can’t wait to get into her garden where she leaps and spirals and clicks her teeth until it’s time for her walk.

I love you, my very special little dog.

 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.co.uk