Hi folks, having shifted my Dog Listener Training to Australia for the next few months, it seems I escaped the Big Freeze just in time, leaving Gatwick airport just before it shut.

Reports of the terrible weather have been shown often on Australian television with a mix of disbelief and just a little smugness (they still haven't got over losing the cricket, bless them).

One statistic of the current situation caught my attention - apparently sales of custard have gone through the roof as Brits huddle together, eating stodgy puddings to keep warm. My childhood memories of treacle suet puddings that would stick to your ribs as you ate it came flooding back.

Also, supermarkets are quickly running out of supplies as the hoarding begins ready to dig in should the Antartic conditions continue. On the plus side my niece Ceri has been very happy to have had extra days off school, so I guess it's swings and roundabouts...

This behaviour just goes to reinforce the point that I make time and time again - that human beings are so similar to other animals that it only takes a slight survival threat for the old instincts to kick in and take charge.

When we realise our own nature it becomes much easier to respect that dogs are animals and not "little people". Reversing the way people typically view dogs is a major step forward in understanding, and therefore getting the right relationship with them.

A great philosopher once said that human beings are only three meals away from revolution. I will add that they are -20 degrees from chaos...
Tony