Posting days: Sunday and Wednesday and, sometimes, maybe, extra bits in between.

Wednesday September 26th 2018

Last week was brilliant. It hardly stopped raining and we walked to the park almost every day.

But Sunday is a sun-suddenly-popping-out day, which usually frightens the life out of poor Isis; strangely, though, she is keen to go out, walks hopefully to the front door and doesn’t balk when we get to the gate.

Much to my surprise, she only comes to a halt twice, is soon persuaded to walk on, and, afterwards, settles to a steady pace – interspersed, naturally, with enthusiastic sniffing and  scenting.

Once we reach the park, the sun decides to stay out. As always, the contrasting areas of light and shade worry Isis. Her tail droops and her ears flatten against her head. She doesn’t want to linger on the lower bowling green. She doesn’t even head to her colour garden.

Instead, she veers off to the left, weaving her way through the pines, and makes her way cautiously along the fence of the old T.V. Garden. Halfway along the fence she pauses until I am close enough to check in with her, then trots off towards the little woodland area.

Clever little animal. It’s shady here, safe for a dog. Tail now held high, she explores mammal trails, crawls under and between the trees and bushes, and sniffs to her heart’s content.

We stay in the wood until it’s time to leave. Then, as always, I lay my hand on her back, she stops to let me replace her harness and then sets off happily by my side.

You chose well todaylittle Hairy One.

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