A local dog went walkabouts for 48 hours over the weekend, much to the distress of his owner. For obvious reasons, it made me think of Midge, my old Jack Russell, who went walkabouts herself last year – though for two weeks, not two days!

Since being rehomed in Oxfordshire, she has at last (so I’m told), settled down (unlike The Littlest Hobo, in case you didn’t recognise the title quote) with her new family, which includes what she has always dreamt of: an eight year old girl who adores her. In fact, it’s mutual.

Little Miss Midge (1 March 2010)

A mutual friend told me that she hosted a party at Halloween and invited the family (and Midge). But Midge declined to attend. The daughter and her friends had spent the day playing with her and by the time evening came, all she wanted to do was curl up on the sofa and s-le-e-p. I’ve known Midge since she was a pup and I think that’s the first time someone has worn her out since she was 16 weeks old!!

It’s horrible when your dog wanders off like that. I’ve had Snipe microchipped and make sure she has enough physical exercise and mental stimulation (not to mention fuss and love) to keep her from mooching off to make her own entertainment. Let’s just not mention the time she jumped out of my friend’s kitchen window and followed us to the pub…