I really can’t sing. People run away screaming when I do. I myself feel like running away screaming when I sing. But Max calms down almost instantly and quickly falls asleep when I sing for him. So is that because it really has a calming effect on him, or is it because he thinks – oh no, not those insufferable noises again – if I pretend to be asleep pehaps she’ll stop?

But seriously, perhaps the one major change in Max is that when he moved in on 13 June last year, he had some quite serious leakage problems. More than just the occasional drip. I was told it could be behavioural, and also that it is a common problem in older, castrated dogs. And it could have something to do with his PH values, so his former foster parents passed on some pills, a natural medication, to give him.

I made a mental note to give it some time and if it did not improve, I would have him properly examined, which I think would be the first time. For example, I don’t think any bloodwork has ever been done.

Over time, the problem became less and less pronounced – he would leak a little bit indoors whenever he got excited about something – and he still is a very exciteable dog although less so by the day. And I would spot the occasional drop here and there, now and then.

Fast-forward to now – I am just realising that I had actually forgotten about it. I have not seen as much as one drop anywhere for months! I must be doing something right :-).