When I purchased my new puppy five weeks ago, I never thought that I’d be able to care for him myself. Convincing my friends and family that a dog would be a great companion took months. I told them looking after him would be a synch but deep down had one million bats colliding in my belly!

So today when temperatures peaked and his coat was all matted and dirty, I decided I’d bath him. Many would’ve freaked at this (my mum has probably passed out knowing that I even contemplated doing it!) but I thought I’d take a plunge. So I filled up the laundry sink and after bribing him with a dog treat, I did it! I know I didn’t get all the shampoo out and he’s probably traumatised by the event, but I definitely never envisaged being able to wash my own puppy! So what’s next? Training him to walk on a lead…..