It is immediately after six. She’s been waiting around for an hour to listen to the quitting-time whistle: which for her is the thud of my automobile doorway and my footsteps as I climb the side porch.

My pricey previous floppy-eared dog, whose very own workday follows a narrow patch of sunlight around the residence right up until it gradually disappears into the darkish of evening, is past prepared to stretch her legs. She has a challenging job, lying in that sunny location all day, where ever it is, with only the briefest of respites to engage really absolutely in her next position: patrolling the yard to chase browsing birds and resident marmots.

I can listen to her pacing and panting right before I open up the doorway. Wander! Wander! is the translation of her fired up greeting. Absolutely nothing else issues, not even the sky with its ominous shade