Still on the outdoor theme, we also have six dog-friendly places to stay featured on page 12 this issue, an ideal choice if you feel like getting away from it all and squeezing in a few days’ break before the start of winter. We all like to think we have a special bond with our dogs, but this month we’ve been exploring whether we can build an even closer relationship with them. Andrea McHugh gets some expert views and Your Dog readers share their thoughts and advice on maintaining that special connection with their pets (see page 8).

If, like me, you have a dog who suffers from fireworks phobia, it’s time to get planning on how you’re going to manage during the fireworks season. It’s all in the prep advises animal behaviourist Toni Shelbourne, who shares loads of tips on page 16 explaining how, by planning a multi-faceted approach sooner rather than later, you can make it bearable for you and your dog.