Sunday May 26th

I've had an on/off friendship with Brody this week. Thursday was definitely an off day. It'd been going so well, up until the afternoon. I'd decided to take him out on grass instead of the beach, wanting to avoid families on holiday. On the stretch of grass where we walk, there are two shelters. I'd been throwing the ball for Brody and had just told him 'game over', which is usually the cue for him to stop prancing around our feet waiting for the ball, or to stop nudging our hand with the ball in his mouth. In this instance, it was his cue to go darting off toward one of the shelters. I could see 2 bicycles leaning against the wall, and could vaguely make out a couple of people inside. "This way Brody" I call, which usually makes him curve round and head back to me. But not this time. Straight into the shelter he went and jumped up on people inside. It was at this point that I ascertained two things : 1) the people inside had food; 2) from the high-pitched scream that emanated there was a small child there also. I ran towards the shelter calling Brody's name, watching the people inside stand up and try to push Brody away as he continued to jump up on them, trying to grab the sandwiches from their hands. When I got to the shelter I could see that the child was just a baby of about 10months propped up on the bench between her mum and dad, screaming hysterically. I managed to grab Brody and put his lead on, apologising profusely to the family and making sure the baby was ok. Lots of telling off for Brody and the silent treatment from me for him for the rest of the day. How to spoil the day for many people. Long lead on walks from now on I think.