Mrs Downs Diary November 17

My old-fashioned meat cupboard with its wire sides to keep flies out, was no match for our Labrador's sharp teeth and scrabbling claws when she was intent on removing a roast leg of pork for her afternoon snack. The safe itself had recently been moved to a new shelf in the pantry after a previous attempt by Meg on its contents; but she soon tracked it down to its new location.

Holly, our spaniel, is starting to gain a creditable reputation for picking up on a shoot. Unfortunately this is a double-edged skill. Great when she is needed to pick up, and a darned nuisance when she is out on a walk and disturbing nests in the spring and summer.

Mrs Down's Diary appears every week in the West Sussex Gazette. You can read the full version of this article in November 17 issueMy old-fashioned meat cupboard with its wire sides to keep flies out, was no match for our Labrador's sharp teeth and scrabbling claws when she was intent on removing a roast leg of pork for her afternoon snack. The safe itself had recently been moved to a new shelf in the pantry after a previous attempt by Meg on its contents; but she soon tracked it down to its new location.

Holly, our spaniel, is starting to gain a creditable reputation for picking up on a shoot. Unfortunately this is a double-edged skill. Great when she is needed to pick up, and a darned nuisance when she is out on a walk and disturbing nests in the spring and summer.

Mrs Down's Diary appears every week in the West Sussex Gazette. You can read the full version of this article in November 17 issue