I guess he’s using his claws; in any case, Willi is startled, and pulls back his arm. Beck hops back down from the bench and now goes for one of Willi’s legs. As well as it is possible with a paw, he pulls at his trouser leg and keeps on mewing.

‘Now would be a good time to be able to talk to animals. I would really like to know what you want from me. Should I come with you?’

I lick Willi’s hands wholeheartedly. The way they taste – well, how should I say this? – takes some getting used to.

He laughs. ‘Hey, my little friend, you’re getting really excited. Was that the answer to my question? You want me to come with you?’

It’s insanely easy to talk to humans. I thought it would be much harder. Or is Willi especially receptive? Well, it amounts to the same thing. I jump from his lap down to Mr Beck, who is looking at Willi expectantly with his tail racing back and forth. Willi stands up and sways from side to side a little as he does so. Once he is steady on his feet, Beck runs around him twice, then he heads towards Caroline’s house. Since I don’t have any better ideas, I do the same.

‘So I guess I’m supposed to follow? A dachshund and a cat want to take a walk with me. If I tell this to the lady from the Salvation Army, she’ll just blame it on the brandy. Well, off we go!’

At this command, Mr Beck and I head to the end of the park, which is right in front of our garden. Every now and then I peer over my shoulder, and, sure enough,Willi is still following us. He hesitates for a moment only when we get to the garden gate.

‘This is it? That’s a nice house. I don’t want them to think I’m a burglar.’

That’s funny! A watchdog who brings the burglar home himself! I wonder how Willi got that idea. A moment later we’re standing in front of the terrace door of the workshop. I scratch at the glass with Willi standing right behind me and peeping through the window. Finally he knocks. Daniel comes and opens the door – but just a crack.

‘Yes?’

Willi clears his throat. ‘Hmm, yeah, how can I put this – those two down there sort of brought me to you.’

Daniel looks down, and now seems to notice us for the first time.

‘Oh, Hercules and Mr Beck – what are you doing there?’

‘Well, the little dachshund seems to have had some pretty bad convulsions, and he collapsed in front of the park bench I was sitting on. Then his friend came and wanted me to come along with them.’

Daniel looks through the crack of the door and lifts one eyebrow, which looks rather funny.

‘Oh yes. The cat wanted you to come along with them. I get it.’