We are looking after a friend's dog for a couple of days and it is amazing how British it is making me feel. I can go for walks now, and it almost feels like being at home. I'm trying to shun the lead, which means that admittedly there is still the terror that she will run into someone's garden and get shot or shouted at (no fences around here), but she's a well behaved little creature and comes when called. I think the cars that passed me were very impressed by the way she sat still at my feet when told until they had gone by. And I haven't seen the neighbour - or his cats - since she arrived...