After 36 years, we’re having a new kitchen. Some people love doing renovations but that’s not me.

I’ve just had a detailed exposition of the different sorts of hinges on a fridge freezer - I walked off halfway through as I couldn’t stand it any longer.

But I’m glad that, when doing improvements, some people enjoy it.

Dogs Trust at Harefield has just had makeovers to two places and, because of their attention to detail, they look fabulous.

The courtyard area, where I met Carter the Lurcher, now looks like a Legoland for dogs.

It’s got two new bone-shaped paddling pools, a Z-shaped sandpit, a tunnel, climbing frame with different textures on the steps, a secret circuit for the dogs to explore which goes round the inside perimeter and it’s adorned by plants which were on display at Hampton Court Flower Show.

The butterflies love it and so does Carter. He deserves a bit of happiness as he’s not had much luck on the rehoming front. He can be worried by traffic, so he’s looking for a calm, active home, possibly in a rural area where he can get the exercise he needs.

He likes lots of fuss and cuddles. If you think you could home this gorgeous boy, you can meet him at Dogs Trust, Harvil Road, Uxbridge UB9 6JW.

Dogs and their Celebrities

Whilst there you can visit the second area that has had a makeover which is the Tea Room. The new layout is delightful.

Armchairs, coffee tables, a fantastic view and excellent value for money – what more can you want when you go out for lunch whether or not you’re getting a dog from Dogs Trust?

And, Dogs Trust has just the right book for their coffee tables, published this week to celebrate 125 years of Dogs Trust, it’s called Dogs and their Faithful Celebrities and is available from bookshops.

Meanwhile if, like Dogs Trust, you’re giving your outside area a makeover and want to ensure it’s more dog-friendly, Dogs Trust have hints to help you such as ensuring the borders are secure, adding a variety of textures to provide sensory stimulation, giving different heights so dogs have a variety of vantage points, providing a quiet retreat for shelter and being alert to poisonous plants.

For details see the Dogs Trust website and type dog friendly garden in the search box.