It's a dog's life.

The Industrial Revolution created urban markets for lamb, mutton, and wool; but how could the vast hills of unfenced land in the Borders of Scotland and northern England be put to raising sheep? Hardworking sheepdogs were the key, helping shepherds turn this inhospitable land into sheep-raising country.

The modern sheep-herding collie was improved in the nineteenth century, and the genetic refinement of its working skills occupies thoughtful livestock producers on several continents to this day. Breeders try to balance a dozen heritable working traits to produce the best dog for their purposes, factoring in climate, terrain, livestock type, and the kind of dog they get along with.

Guided by a skilled trainer, a talented dog develops remarkable mastery over livestock. The true Border Collie is known by how it works sheep and cattle, and by no other standard….

Except that is with exceptional skill and cunning Copernicus has somehow managed to learn how to sneak quietly downstairs into the larder and open the refrigerator door. Not only does he manage this without opposable thumbs, he also manages to select the most expensive joint of beef to devour. Leaving no trace, except the empty dinner plate on the floor, he sneaks back to his bed on his stomach, in the pitch black, like a Royal Marine Commando.

Unfortunately, last night he was captured on his second nocturnal mission. Rather than banish him to the kennel and secure dog run in the garden, which is the canine equivalent of Parkhurst. I joined him in a 1.45am ‘midnight snack’ and marvelled at his ingenuity.

If only tenants (most of whom have opposable thumbs) could be as astute as my long haired black and white friend. I received a telephone call today – the type I tend to get at least once every couple of months – ‘The main energy saving bulb has gone in the lounge and the bulb in the outside light went last week…..’.

I wonder whom these tenants will turn to in such circumstances, if they were ever to become homeowners. How do they cope in the modern world ? Let’s hope they never have a ‘real’ emergency like a blocked sink !

I am sending Copernicus around this afternoon to sort it out……

Yours, a 'hounded' Mr Jackson.