The longer I know my dogs the stronger our attachment to each other becomes. We actually seem to have developed a physical need to stay in each other’s company. I think this might be an Oxytocin addiction; the love and cuddle hormone that is released in my body and their bodies when I stroke them. We are happy to sit there and play the stroking game for ages. I like to call it “Heavy Petting”.

If I ever travel away from home for more than a few hours, all I can think about is getting back to my dogs. I just want to go home and hear their greeting barks through the front door. Upon opening it they spin with delight around my legs, reaching their heads up for a pat of acknowledgement and then the youngest dog sprints up and down the hallway bumping into my legs with little yelps of joy.

Once the initial excitement has worn off – and perhaps some food or treat has exchanged hands – we settle back into another heavy petting session. Such bliss!