thanks Jos -- a wee Spanish looking squiggle appeared above one of the 'r's - but must have corrected itself (or maybe was a dirty mark on my screen?!

Eliza I apologise for mis-spelling your name in that last post - - should have checked before posting!

Steve - - you are as entitled to your opinion as I to mine - however I trust that if you are ever in need of a service dog / 365 day shitting machine* for example guide dog, hearing dog, search and rescue dog (mountains, earthquakes) you will have the decency to refuse their assistance as a matter of principle?
*by the way - what living creature does not pass waste? It is a normal bodily function and I am quite sure you - and your cats - do it too! So -- don't pick on dogs! Responsible owners pick up their dogs' faeces -- do you follow your cats through neighbours' gardens to ensure they don't perform in flowerbeds?