Lovely, cool (finally) sunny morning for a long walk with Abby. Half way through, down she goes on the grass - up she comes smeared with poo. Back home, pick her up and put her on the patio table, put on my rubber gloves, get the dog shampoo, the hose (thank goodness it's summer) and you would think I was trying to murder her.

Chances of Abby ever being allowed off lead outside my garden - zero to none. I do not even mind Abby rolling in wee-scented grass. Okay, I do, but the clean up when I notice the odour is less repulsive. As a Cairn, she is so low to the ground that she's on the ground before I can react. Most of the time on her long flexi-lead I can spot trouble before she gets the first whiff, if you know what I mean. But most of the time is not all of the time ... and washing poo off a dog's neck is not my idea of fun. Descenting her collar afterwards is not pleasant either.

Life with a terrier.

Stacey