Humans are different from other animals: they can think about the past, remember it and learn from it. They can think about the present, live now and experience it. They can think about the future, imagine it and make plans for it.

I don't have this awareness of time. Everything is happening now, at this moment. Although, I've got a good map in my head of the area I live in, and I can remember some things I did, places I went to, and dogs I played with, I'm not so good at understanding that I'll be going out in an hour, unless it's become part of a regular pattern.

I try hard to understand what they say to each other but their language has too many words. Fortunately, they keep it simple and consistent when they talk to me: Lucy, sit, down, stay, bed, no, and, of course, good girl. They don't use silly doggie words so, when someone else talks to me, I usually understand.

Most of the time, I respond well to sit, and down. I got a bit confused when they said sit down, but they've realised now that they have to choose the one word they mean. Sometimes when they pet me, or when they're busy at home, or when we're out, they just talk and talk: I don't understand the words but I do get a feeling for how they feel.

One of the books suggested that I'm trained, with treats, to come when I hear three whistles. Although this probably works, we just don't live in an environment where, early or late, at home or with friends, they can keep whistling. So, calling Lucy, and giving me a treat, was much simpler. They always pet me or talk to me to praise my return. However, I've noticed that, with most young dogs, we do like to be a bit rebellious. I suppose it's all to do with finding and accepting your position in the pack.

Sometimes when we're out, and I'm having a good time, I don't want to go home. I'm usually persuaded by the sight of a treat, but I'll only give you one careful try to get my collar. If you rush it, you'll make it into a game and I'll probably jump away and tease you for a while. They often put my lead on for a short time and then take it off. Maybe it's just because of people or traffic, but I've learned that it doesn't always mean that my walk has come to end.

Because lurchers become very attached to people, we're sometimes not very good at being alone, and may chew on something if we get bored or lonely. They taught me, a little at a time, that I was safe on my own. Although I'm not a growler and biter, sometimes it keeps me occupied if they leave me a chewy toy. However, I usually fall asleep.

When they come home, I always get very excited. It's my nature to jump up, even though I get muck all over their clothes. They've learned to fold their arms and face away until I calm down, or get down to my level, and so I don't get any affection, or a treat, until I stop. Either I'm learning or they are.

Although I wait, optimistically, by the dinner table, they never give me food from the table whist they're eating. This is what I expect because, in a pack, I'd have to wait my turn. But I often get left-overs and scraps: either they give them to me by hand or put them in my bowl on the floor. It seems to be the way that, if something is on the floor, it's my area and so OK to eat it.

When visitors come, they let them give me a few treats. But, they always let me see that they are giving the visitor the treat before I get it. I suppose this encourages me to be loyal.

At first I wanted to jump onto the bed and the sofa and, because I could do it, I did it. I understand now that they don't want me using furniture as a springboard or a dog bed. So, generally, I stay on the floor, although they do give in sometimes: they put a blanket on the sofa and I know now that that means I can sit there.

Whenever we go for a walk I've noticed something: they get themselves and everything ready, then put my collar on and leave straight away.

I travel well, on the back seat on my fluffy blanket. Sometimes I look out of the window, but usually go into a half sleep. I'm fine about being left in the car because they're always careful about making sure I've had a snack, and peed and pood. And they don't park in the direct sun or near anything noisy. Usually, when they come back, I'm completely asleep.

Usually, they put my lead on just before we get back to the car, in case other cars move or dogs jump out or I have a last minute walk in some mud.