"dog sitting, what a wonderful job!"

This is the common response to when I tell people that I dog sit. But let me tell you, its not always the way you imagine....

Of course, I get to cuddle with dogs a lot, which is the best part of the job. But as a trainer too, you realise that all dogs are not created equally....

Not that I want to put anyone off dog sitting, but there are times when you really have to think on your feet and be ready for those emergencies. I will tell you about one such time.

Monty.

Monty will always be my bestest boy. Hes a scruffy little dude full of love and quirks, the best cuddler, always knows when you need your lap warmed and he licks my nose until it is sore whenever I arrive. I absolutely adore this little old guy. So lets picture this scene...

I wake up and head downstairs to make a cuppa. Rubbing my eyes whilst blindly stumbling into the kitchen donning my dressing gown. I flick the kettle on, open the door for morning wees for Monty and his crew, watch them for a moment before making a brew.

As I grab my mug and head back to the doorway to watch for mischief, I lean against the door frame and look over to Monty. I notice that in the windy evening before, the shed door has blown open and Monty seems very interested in something on the grass. I set down my mug, head barefoot out in the dew to make sure its not the resident hedgehog and see whats going on.

I lean down and see a bag of rat poison. Its open. There are 3 bright pink, waxy chunks left in the bag and Monty has a fluorescent beard.

My eyes widen and my heart jumps. I distract Monty and grab the bag, my mind racing. He thinks its the best breakfast ever but I'm starting to panic. Right, rat poison. Monty is looking disdainful at me for ruining his snack while I'm thinking things like, did he eat the whole bag in the time I made my cup of tea? had he only just started? are there other bags that I havent found yet?

I had never got dressed so quickly in my life. I did what I could, grabbed the bag, grabbed Monty and drove straight to the vets. I have never seen my 2001 998cc Micra tempest move so fast.

We arrive at the vets, I hand over Monty and the bag of poison and wait for the verdict.

Of course you are thinking of the owners on their holiday, who I had messaged to explain the situation to. They were obviously concerned and I kept them updated as we went along.

I was besides myself....not my Monty. Even though I know he's not mine, I love that dog like my own.

After 5 painful moments the verdict came back.

Monty was going to be ok.

The vet had checked the ingredients and even for a small dog like Monty, the poison was so weak that he would have to eat 8 bags to be in any trouble. Im pretty sure even a patterdale couldnt eat 8 bags in the space of 90 seconds. Although....

I breathed a sigh of relief and slumped my shoulders. Thank goodness for that.

I texted the owners, grabbed Monty (after several hugs) and drove him back home.

These are the moments where dog sits turn into something entirely different.

These are the moments that I think about every time 13 year olds are looking for dog sitting jobs on local forums.

These are the moments you realise that your best friends need you to be alert and watching them at all times.

These are the moments, I will always remember and be thankful that my micra actually hadnt broken down for once.

We returned home, I poured my tea down the sink and returned to the kettle.

Then, the boy got his proper breakfast.