Dog days

It's hot with us, at last - and will be as hot again tomorrow, says the forecast. And our dog days have begun in another sense with the arrival yesterday of Floss, from her former home in Ludlow. Thus ends a period of 228 blissful - for me, but not for Caroline - dog-free days: no worries about having to go out for a walk in the pouring rain, or what to do if we are off abroad. And - in Floss' case - no constant importuning to throw a tennis ball across the lawn.