Once or twice in an evening, Fate will come over to me, climb up on my footstool and stare intently into my eyes. She can hold this gaze for a long time, and dogs don’t always like to make eye contact, it is sometimes a sign of challenge or aggression to them.

Fate does want something, and I have just written a book about communicating with animals. I looked at her, her body language, the context of her visit. She looked from me to the door, and I had the sense she was asking me  to take her out to work, or to draw my attention to the door in the hope that I would go out.

Every time I stand up, Fate looks at my shoes and rushes to the door. There is an intensity about her look that suggests work to me, an eagerness and excitement. I follow her eyes and I know she hopes she can get outside, she loves to lie down near the gate and wait for me or for Maria.

I think it is as simple as that. Working animals love to work, none more passionately or obsessively than border collies. Fate is telling me she wants to go to work.