For years I have been trying different methods to persuade my dog to take medicine – usually in the form of Sentinel tablets. With Kev I am afraid I did not perfect the technique, to my lasting regret. He needed a lot of medication and I made huge efforts to conceal the tablets inside morsels of food but he always discovered them. Kevin could eat the food and then spit out the tablet afterwards.

Since losing Kev I have cared for a number of other dogs, and some of these also needed to take daily tablets. For example. Sadie has to take heart medication every day. The method I have adopted is to push the tablet between the upper and lower teeth, then hold the jaws together while rubbing the throat gently. Even Sadie, who is as bright as a button, then seems to understand that she should actually swallow her tablet.