Last night I took Hippie over to my partner’s house for the night. As usual she had the craziest time chasing Poppy around the beans, barking and play-bowing when Poppy wouldn’t run. They were both worn out after a couple of hours.

We were cooking dinner and deciding when would be a good time to put the food out for the urban foxes that have been visiting us for years, bringing their babies every spring. They have been a delight to watch, but we didn’t want them scared off by manic greyhounds.

We decided to put their food out when we sat down to eat – knowing full well the girls would not be far away from us and the tempting smell of roast chicken. The foxes food topped with fresh eggs would be put into a greyhound proof place where only the foxes can reach.

It all went well and we had our dinner with two greyhounds lounging in the room pretending to be asleep.

Afterwards the girls had some leftovers and seemed quite happy to settle.

We settled too, watching ‘New Tricks’ – I do like that series.

All went well until Hippie came in and I noticed something in her mouth, I called her over and gently felt inside her mouth to see what she was carrying. It was an egg!!!

I gave the command which she knows very well – it means stop whatever you are doing – she ignored it….

It was a tough decision – should we clamp the jaws shut, break the egg and risk the mess on the carpet not to mention the possibility of a traumatised dog. OR try to get it out from between her jaws without breaking it?

Yes – we chose the latter, the egg was moveable in her mouth – she was holding it very gently although the jaws were clamped around it and she had a very determined look in her eye.

My partner held the egg and I gently peeled back Hippie’s lips to expose the huge teeth, grabbed both top and bottom jaws and prised them open enough to retrieve the egg….. in one piece ….. without a crack in the shell!!!

That’s our girl maybe we should give her gun dog training!!!