Capitalising on the demand for dogs in lockdown, breeders are now charging £2,000, £2,500, even £3,000 per puppy, the shysters.

My first choice would be a rescue dog. I had a beloved rescue dog growing up and have/have had three rescue cats. But these days it’s very hard to adopt a dog if you have other pets and a small child. Even though I live in an ideal place to give a rescue dog a happy life.

Thank you very much to all of you who have sent me links and names of smaller rescue centres. (Have a look down my responses if you're also wanting to rehome a dog.) I shall be trying them once they re-open.