Paula's dog days

Jul 22 2004 By Liz Hands, The Journal

The Max factor

Four-month-old puppy Max was at his new nursery for the second time yesterday.

Owner Alison Walker, 59, dropped him off for the day so she could attend her son's graduation.

"Leaving a dog so young was just as worrying for me as it would be leaving my children," said Alison, of Farriers Rise, Shilbottle. "He is my child really."

"But I dropped him off for a trial session on Monday and he loved it.

"He couldn't wait to get back here today. It's ideal for us because we live near Alnwick, so pass by on the way to Newcastle if we want to do any shopping there."

Alison, who as well as Italian spinone Max has an 11-year-old Pointer called Elsa, said: "Max was a bit of a naughty boy, but after Monday it was like taking home a new dog.

"I needed to go to my son's graduation and was wondering what on earth I would do with Max all day.

"When a friend told me about Doggy Days, I was a bit surprised by the idea. It's not something I've heard of before.

"But, it's been perfect. Max is my little baby and he's been treated like that here.

"He loves playing with the people here and the toys - they've even got a sandpit for the dogs to dig in - so I'd have no hesitation leaving him again."