There was a time when traipsing through train stations with my world on my back, negotiating maps and streets and hiking through hills, farmlands and forests to get to my goal would not make me so tired.

I would never win athlete of the year, but I could certainly rebound in a day or so and be my plucky self. But! on this trip maybe it’s the clean country air, or the quiet when the church bells or artillery practice aren’t sounding that have coaxed me into such a sleepy feeling…. No! Wait! It’s none of those things! It her

The doggie siren of sleep! She snuggles up to you and lays her nose under your chin, so warm and soft. She pats you with her tiny paw as if to say “Sleep human, you want to sleep”

And you know what? I do. What wicked sorcery is this that a tiny 10 pound creature can have such an effect on me? She would like nothing more than getting me to stop working and curl up in the sun with her. If only I were on holiday I would. As it is, I return home and curl up exhausted, her paws wrapped around one hand.

The ultimate secret weapon, cuddly dachshunds!