Wyn Drabble: Dog's-eye view of lockdown

I sense the world has changed. Something is definitely amiss but I can't quite put my paw on it. The clues are all around me but no matter how much I sniff at them I seem to get no closer to an answer.

First, my humans stay home so that means there's someone here all day. When I've got company I don't become so bored so don't have to dig holes in the backyard. Keeps the paws clean, too.

Mind you, there is one disadvantage to this. When they used to leave, the last one to go always gave me a treat, a valedictory duck stick (though I just call them valeducktories because I'm just a dog so it's easier to say).

Another sign of change is that there's very little traffic going past our place and fewer visitors coming in.

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This means I get fewer people to bark at and jump up on (I may be just a dog but in this household everyone knows the difference between fewer and less).

To make up for this I bark at things which, on reflection, are rather random: trees; fences; sparrows; grass; a twig; a toffee wrapper.

I must say my walks have become a little repetitive. We go down the same street and I don't mind that – there are always scents to check out – but I must admit I miss the beach visits.

We don't have surf down our street and I enjoy racing into the waves summer or winter because I'm half husky (I think it's the back half).

And normally when we have walks, my owners let me socialise with other dogs we meet en route.

But now they veer away, keeping on opposite sides of the road. They even have conversations with passing friends from opposite sides of the road. Why?

There is a positive to all this; I seem to get more walks per day, each time with a different person. But with each person the anti-socialising rules remain firmly in place.

I certainly don't get rides in the car any more. I used to like those, especially when we passed someone out walking another dog. It gave me a chance to bark at the enemy and protect our car.

Yes, dogs must protect even moving territory. If I didn't bark fiercely at them as we drove past, they could very easily ... well ...they could ... I might have to get back to you on this one.

You may be interested to know that I have my own car. I know the reason because I've heard my humans talking about it; it's because I shed a lot of fur and it clings to the walls and upholstery of the vehicle. It's actually a look I like. I call it the fur-lined look.

I can't steal the birds' food anymore because, with people always home, I'm constantly being watched.

You see, my owners put food for the wild birds on the outside table and normally when they head off in the morning, I extend my front paws up onto the table and enjoy a little morning snack at the expense of the birds. That little pleasure has gone.

And why am I hearing "PPE" all the time? I'm 4 years old and don't need to be told when to go peepee.

So, whatever it is that's going on with the world, it has its pros and cons. I guess having company all day and having more walks are the winners so, on balance, I'm okay.

But I would still like to know what's going on.

And a duck stick from time to time.

Woof!

Wyn Drabble is a teacher of English, a writer, musician and public speaker.