It was the school holidays in Oldmeldrum and eight year old Jeannie was more than a bit fed up.

"Mither, can I tak' the dug for a wa'k aroon the park?" she enquired.

"Na, at's nae on ava. The dug's in heat," came the reply.

"Fit diz that mean – in heat?" persisted Jeannie.

"Awa' an' speir at yir faither. He's muckin' oot the byre."

So, Jeannie goes out to the byre and says, "Fadder, I'm needin' tae tak the dug for a wa'k aroon the park, but mither says it's in heat and tae hae a newsy tae you aboot it."

Her father thought for a while then said, "Bring the dug o'er here."

He took a cloth, dipped it in diesel and rubbed the dog's rear end with it. "Okay, awa' ye ging, but keep her on o' a leash an' jist gin roon' the park aince."

Jeannie left but within a few minutes she had re-appeared with the leash, but no dog.

"Fit's happened? Far's the dug?" asked her father excitedly.

"Weel," said Jeannie, "she seemed tae rin out o' diesel nae far doon the road and anither dug is shovin' her hame."