We are quite a quirky bunch. The dogs each have their own little peculiarities. Spud is terrified of black plastic bags, and he used to be addicted to eating my underwear, so he had to keep having his stomach x-rayed. Harry has a toe missing, because it got infected when he was little and had to be amputated. At the time I made a real fuss of him, always stroking his paw and soothing him. Now, whenever he meets anyone, he tries to show them his paw, which can be quite terrifying as he is huge. Barney came with a random circus trick that involves him standing on his hind legs and doing funny motions with his front legs. I was intrigued by this at first, so I encouraged it, but now he thinks it’s a sure-fire way to get what he wants.

I know I shouldn’t, but I totally mummy all the dogs as if they were my children. They can be really naughty sometimes, but we all have lots of fun together, and their love is unconditional. I love my paw-giving, sock-eating, circus-tricking bunch. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

Rachel Fuller, singer/songwriter, with her dogs Spud, Barney and Harry. Her new album, Cigarettes and Housework, is out now.

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