A morning ritual. The playful dog. Scurrying into the bushes, just like Brer Rabbit in his Briar Patch, Chupko the dog crosses the cul-de-sac every morning after saying hello to the courier, the mail man, the delivery man, the neighbour and the tree. And when he sees the neighbour’s dog, his natural instinct to woof and puff at them is so aggressive it leaves you wrapped up in the leash with a force that almost sweeps you off your feet. A quick 360 degree spin and… whoosh !

Throwback to our trip to Isleworth. The parks and forest areas of London made one feel as if Robin Hood and His Merry Men might jump out from the bushes and trees !

I couldn’t help but share the experience of taking this dog for a walk every morning to the cul-de-sac and park. It became such a ritual that every morning he would hear the word “leash” he would run up and down the house as though playing a game with us. And when you pin him down he turns his head and looks at you nose to nose ! Sharmaji ! Mr Karare !

Chupko, a rescue dog from Bosnia, has now been adopted by the family in London.