I mentioned recently that rescue centres in the UK such as Dogs Trust and Battersea Cats and Dogs home are filling up faster than they can rehome dogs. It seems the same problem is occurring in some US shelters.

Episode 79 of DogCast Radio is now available, and it’s our Christmas episode.

Beverley Cuddy, publisher and editor of magazine Dogs Today, talks about a charity that’s close to her heart, Tailwaggers. (www.tailwaggersclubtrust.com ) Despite being small, this charity is often the only means of help to some dog and cat owners. Tailwaggers offers the personal touch, and can consider every case on its individual merits. The story they often discover behind the issue with the dog can be incredibly touching.

This is a photo of Star at Carols in the Square tonight. We learned a lesson when we attended the switching on of the Christmas lights in the square earlier this month. The lesson was that in a crowd with a small dog, you spend most of your time making sure the little dog doesn’t get trodden on. Or you give in and pick up the little dog, and then you can’t hold both your coffee and your brandy snap. Or your mulled wine and your roast hog, if you’re that way inclined.