Zipping my anorak tighter still, and wishing I’d worn warmer socks, I look round to see where the blasted dog has got to now. Why on earth did I think it would be a good idea to come up here on a windy day? The wide open landscape with its low shrubs provides no escape from the gusts.

I spot the dog as he sprints around a thicket of gorse off to my left. I know what that means and sure enough, squinting into the wind, I see a rabbit running for its life. Stupid creature. The dog has never caught a rabbit and wouldn’t know what to do with one if it did.

I call to the dog knowing it’s hopeless. He will pretend not to hear me for as long as there are rabbits to chase. Most days this isn’t a problem; I often come prepared with a rug and a good book. Today I’m regretting my choice of walking route.

The rabbit continues to run around the gorse bushes. The dog continues to chase it. I assume the rabbit is also having fun or it would dive for its burrow. If its aim is to lead the dog away from its home running in circles doesn’t seem the best policy. If on the other hand it’s trying to tire the dog out... well, good luck it.

I move closer to the bushes with the vague notion that I might catch the dog and put him back on the leash allowing me to return to the warmth of the car. The rabbit runs over my foot. The dog nearly bowls me over running through my legs.

“For God’s sake, Harvey! Enough!” I shout as they sprint around on another lap.

I make a half-hearted attempt to grab him as he shoots past again. He doesn’t even glance at me; he’s too intent on the prize. Prey?

Next time around I stamp my feet as the rabbit goes past me, hoping to send it off in a different direction. The rabbit veers away from me, racing towards a large boulder. Harvey dodges my grab. There’s dull thump and suddenly both Harvey and I are staring at a stunned rabbit lying by the boulder. He looks at me, tongue lolling, breath wheezing through his teeth.

I say “Now look what you’ve done!”

Harvey prods the rabbit with his nose and looks at me in shock. I know he’s thinking ‘What I’ve done?! You were the one that made it come this way!’

I nod my head at him, “Yeah ok, but I want to go home and you weren’t listening to me.”

Harvey’s look says ‘That’s no excuse. What if it’s hurt?’ He lies down next to the rabbit and I seize my chance to clip his lead to his collar. We wait until the rabbit recovers and bounds away. Harvey nearly pulls my arm out of its socket but I hold tight. Our walk is over.