Me? Wishing I were back at the animal shelter? Perish the thought! Even if the quest for a master is not exactly running smoothly, Caroline doesn’t seem to understand how uncomfortable it can get in a ten by ten cage with guys like Bozo and Boxer.

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.