Since the weather really is nice, and we’re not going to get rid of Daniel anyway, I decide just to enjoy the walk for what it is. It’s certainly true that Caroline has not been out with me very often in recent days. Actually, she hasn’t been out with me at all. We trot along one of the meandering gravel paths, and I have a great time sniffing at every tree on both sides of the path. Fabulous! My nose tells me that important dogs have come by here, and thanks to all my practice in the garden, I can now add my own scent mark like an expert. Which I go ahead and do – in ample quantities. Caroline and Daniel are walking along at more of a stroll than trying to get somewhere in particular, so I have plenty of time for the things that matter in a dachshund’s life.

Now, however, they’ve slowed down too much even for my taste; I guess it’s because they’re so absorbed in their conversation. Humans never stop talking. I pull at the lead a bit. Hey, let’s get moving! I’ve already peed at every bush!

But Caroline and Daniel pay no attention to me. Instead, they head for the nearest park bench and sit down. What happened to her idea that she’s been neglecting me and absolutely has to do something about that? Well, this is certainly not the way! But the very least Caroline could do is to take off my lead and let me go on sniffing for a while. So I jump up onto the bench and lay my head on her lap.

Hey, am I just imagining things, or is there that strange tension in the air again? Daniel seems to be nervous, and Caroline smells upset as well. That would come as no surprise. If I hadn’t been outdoors in as long a time as those two, I would be jumping out of my skin. Somehow humans are just big animals; they simply don’t want to admit it. I try to find Caroline’s hands so I can lick them. Maybe that’ll calm her down.

But to my great surprise, before I can slobber over the back of Caroline’s hand, Daniel’s hand lands on my nose. Hey, what do you think you’re doing? There’s no joking around when it comes to my nose; I’m really sensitive there. I let out a quick growl, and Daniel pulls his hand back as fast as he can. I’ve obviously frightened him – but he’s frightened me as well! What does he want with my nose? I look up at him, but he acts as though nothing’s happened. Strange. For a couple of minutes it’s really quiet; neither Caroline nor Daniel says a word. It’s actually quite nice. Then Daniel clears his throat.

‘Say, how about we do something together this week?’

What kind of nonsense is that? They already do something together every day. Caroline apparently sees the situation the same way as I do. She giggles.