I’ve never been a great fan of dogs in or on the bed — too many muddy paw prints on the sheets and tufts of fur nestling among the pillows. As a result our current dog rarely bothers to go upstairs, even though it’s not out of bounds, and when he does, he shows no inclination to jump on anything, let alone the bed.

But, judging from the response we got from readers and social media fans when we posed the question: ‘in, on, or off the bed?’, I’m in the minority. Catch up with what other readers think by turning to page 28.

Hands up if your dog has put on a few pounds over lockdown. I have to admit I fall into that category. It’s those pleading, sorrowful eyes gazing at me from the corner of the ‘office’! So, I’m going to be paying close attention to Jacqueline Boyd’s new series ‘Weigh it up!’ (page 40), which over the next few issues will include lots of tips, advice, and background info on the problem of weight gain, and how to recognise and manage it. As Jackie points out, keeping an eye on our dogs’ waistlines is key to their health and well-being.

Jackie’s also been investigating our dogs’ navigational skills in this issue (page 22). If your dog got lost, what do you think his chances would be of getting back to you safely?

Understanding how a dog navigates around both familiar and unfamiliar places can help reduce the likelihood of him getting lost in the first place, or provide strategies to help him come home.

Finally, let’s hear it for our ‘Golden oldies’. This month we’re celebrating all those canine old-timers who are defying the years and living life to the full. Turn to page 14 where we speak to their owners and find out the secrets of their longevity.