There is a howl… rather like one you might hear of a vulpine version of Christmas morning… high and excited. Claws scrabble too fast on the slippery kitchen floor, desperately trying to get to the door…. Trying to open it herself while attempting to put on her own leash. She’s managed that once or twice too when I give her the rope one.

She knows. Does she care about me? Not at all… I am something to be hurried, chivvied, got moving… equipped with her food and the car keys. She couldn’t care less… as long as I hurry up. She knows she is going to see her friends.

As soon as the door is open, she’s out… faster than a ballistic missile and dragging me behind her to the car…waiting. Straight in the front seat, tongue lolling with a huge grin on her face.

How she knows is beyond me. I haven’t packed a bag… haven’t got anything ready yet… but she knows.

“Are you going to see Gooch?” Another excited howl…. She can barely contain herself.

I am nothing, a mere chauffeur.

She sits through the ten minute drive watching and whining in excitement. Another small howl as we turn into their street. By the time I release the seatbelt she is on my lap, waiting to get out, whining excitedly. Again she does the ballistic missile thing… she knows where to go.

Dogs and baby greet each other enthusiastically… the small home is full of dog and tail all of a sudden, overjoyed to see each other. I am forgotten. A mere shadow.

I talk to the young couple for a few minutes, then put my hand in my pocket for my keys.

An Ani appears on the sofa-back beside me, her head on my shoulder, looking up. She leans in for cuddles. A soft, hairy muzzle sneaks into my hand, gazing up soulfully. Then the head is on my shoulder. This from a dog who only cuddles if you lie down with her on the sofa.

I cuddle her, chiding myself for feeling guilty, as I know full well all three dogs will be going out to play shortly with the football. Knowing she is going to have fun with her friends and a toddler she adores. Ani gave him his first tennis ball. She watches me go with the biggest, saddest eyes and as I reach the car she is looking down at me from the window, the little white bit under her chin almost looks as if it is quivering. I feel like the meanest creature on the planet. Yet I know she will have a whale of a time. She always does. And it’s only for a couple of days.

She was there when the baby was born… Gooch was there when Ani was… they are old and dear friends… the other pup is a bonus and almost as mad as Ani herself. I know she’s going to have fun.

Yet she wins this round and I drive away with a tear in my eye. She wins every time.

I drive back to a house where her absence highlights emptiness…  a box full of things, a place to work and sleep. Without love it is just a shell. A house is only a home when love dwells there… and I miss her presence as I pick up the toys, replace the scattered cushions and pack the weekend bag.