Where would we be without our dogs?

Is a dog man’s best friend? Or is man a dog’s best friend? There is no relationship quite like that between dog and human. My husband loves me, but if I locked him in a cupboard for ten minutes, he would be furious. If I locked my dog up for an hour, she would be nothing but overjoyed to see me when I let her out. There is something profoundly moving about two friends who have such a complete, unquestioning trust in each other.

Our dog, Budgie, has become a firm fixture in our lives – she accompanies me everywhere. Last week she wasn’t allowed in the Post Office and I took it as a personal affront. A nice man looked after her outside while I posted my parcel. I gave the lady in the Post Office a firm look as if to say: ‘How could you?’ But I suppose she was only doing her job.

Nothing compares to the feeling of coming home and being greeted by our little dachshund – her flapping elephant ears, fat dinosaur feet, soft seal-like head and watchful eagle eyes. I’m pregnant and I’m terrified of breaking her heart when our baby arrives. Every evening, she jumps on my knee, rests her head on my tummy and listens to the little person inside there. Does she instinctively understand what’s going on?

Our friends roll their eyes at her many soppy names: Budge, The Budgkin, Budgie Bear, Budge Nut… it goes on. Perhaps we need to get out more. I blame my family who are equally obsessed with their canine friends. My dad believes we should treat dogs like humans, and his is a regular presence at the dinner table. My mum has a voice for her dog – they have conversations that I often walk in on. My siblings and I are told we must always say a proper hello to the pooch otherwise we might hurt its feelings.

Why is the bond so strong between human and dog? I believe it is because our relationships with them embody the characteristics we strive towards in all relationships: companionship, loyalty, affection, trust, acceptance and forgiveness. We engage with them and they engage back, with no agenda apart from asking to be fed, stroked or to say: ‘Come on, it’s time to go for a walk.’

When my dad used to visit my granny in a home, he would always take his terrier with him because it brought her so much joy. The nurses would take the dog to visit the other patients, putting a smile on all of their faces. Dogs have a therapeutic effect, particularly with old people and children. You are never lonely if you have a dog.

Recently I returned to Mary Oliver’s book, Dog Songs – a celebration of the human-canine relationship and the meaning it gives to our lives. Her dogs took centre stage, famously inspiring her work. In her book, she writes: ‘What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?’ She could ask members of our local council who are trying to ban dogs from a nearby park. A dispute has developed between dog-lovers and antis in the neighbourhood. You could write a sitcom about the many squabbles.

The photos of the Queen that appeal to me most are the images with her many corgis. The love she had for them and they had for her is clear to see. Those pictures capture moments of affection where there is no judgment or critical eye, just complete trust. I’m sure the ones she left behind miss her terribly.