Now obviously I know that I live with Britain's smartest dog, but for some reason the folk at The Company of Animals aren't aware of that and are launching a competition to find the smartest dog. It may be that you also think you live with a pretty smart dog, so if you fancy entering the competition, the details are below. I've seen the Nina Ottosson games, and would love to see how Buddy and Star cope with them, so maybe we'll bump into you at the pet shop.

Do you live with Britain’s Smartest Dog?

So I finally got to see the film Marley & Me. Guess what? I cried. I don't mean sniffling in my tissue, and a bit of demure wiping of the odd tear away, I mean the kind of heartfelt sobs that shake you, and leave you fighting to draw the next breath in. I mean when your face screws up of its own accord, your mouth twitches and you feel a wail rising from deep inside you, and doing its best to escape you. (Of course I suppressed the wail for the benefit of those around me.)

Here's a video to make you smile -Alfie the dog who nearly didn't survive due to a serious heart problem has reached his first birthday. You can read Alfie's story in his blog and Emma the kind and devoted woman who rescued and got him the treatment he needed has contributed an article to the DogCast Radio article section.

Hi we are back from our holiday, which was great. There has been sad new while we were away, with the death of that wonderful dog Endal. I was so sad to hear of his passing, and so glad that we got to meet him. You can read more about Endal in Beverley Cuddy's blog - but be prepared to cry.