POOR HENRY....

Poor Henry really isn`t feeling himself. We`ve had three visits now to ace vet Dave Cocker who, having retrievers of his own, has become very fond of Henry over the years and gives him the best possible care and attention.

Henry`s heart condition is getting under some semblence of control but, whether it`s the medication or something more worrisome, the fact is that Henry has been very quiet and depressed for a few days now.

The upshot is that he has to go back to Newnham Court Veterinary Centre tomorrow morning and be left there while he has an ECG and other tests to see if there are more complications with his heart condition.

And all the while, he isn`t getting the exercise he has been used to - he`s restricted to just two short walks on the lead twice a day. And all the while, we`re not getting the exercise we`ve been used to either. The days seem long and the `social` element of dog-walking has been absent.

Still, we mustn`t worry about the effects Henry`s indisposition is having on ourselves - even despite the fact that our upcoming holiday in Cornwall with him hangs in the balance - instead we just concern ourselves with Henry`s wellbeing and hope that tomorrow might bring some more heartening news.

And all the while, the Newnham Court bill continues to mount up. But we have Henry insured with Tesco`s pet insurance and it will be `interesting` to see whether they cough up when we finally put the claim in. Every little will indeed help.