Maybe people who've grown up with dogs as part of the family find it easy just to live their lives with a dog being around the place.

But in spite of having had Maisie for a whole year, I still feel guilty when I have to crack on with paperwork, or housework or practising and she's just flopping about looking bored.

I had such a lot of paperwork to do and the house was in a complete state that I ended up taking Maisie to doggy day care so I could get on with it all without feeling guilty.

I did a few hours work and then went to collect Maisie. By then she was tired so I drove out to the wolds to see what was about - hares and owls mostly!