Two very special guests have arrived… oh no, wait, it’s just the hosts.

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This episode starts with the sperm and the egg, takes a detour through labels and mental health, and somehow finds its way back again. Let’s just all be thankful social media wasn’t around when these two were younger!

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Recorded in the middle of another heatwave, the North/South divide gets a mention as Ross and Lez discuss the cancellation of the Royal Windsor and Greenwich Dog Shows and the challenges and responsibilities of working with and owning dogs in extreme temperatures.

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The extra special guest is Roixzan, the 8 week old Rottweiler puppy. She is AMAZING. The separation struggles have already started, but to be fair, they’re only three days in!

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After a little wander into puppy socialisation and training, Lez somehow manages to make it all about her again with a return to The Pet Gundog series, her other training books, and the exciting news that another book is on the way. Like a dog with a bone, she doesn’t let go of the Pet Gundog topic for the rest of the episode, much to Ross’s amusement .

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The weather returns with recent storms, flooded fields, and dogs having the time of their lives in conditions their humans would rather avoid.

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Then it’s back to rescue dogs and the gorgeous little Latte, who Ross absolutely fell in love with. The conversation explores the difficult nuances of giving dogs the best lives possible, how the dog world has changed for both better and worse, and the differences between gundogs living in homes and traditional kennel environments.

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There’s also a special mention for Dorje the Tibetan Terrier and the wonderful owners Ross worked with over the years, contrasted with the heartbreaking increase in people simply giving up and dumping their dogs.

It’s a hard conversation and one that leads to the conclusion that things may be worse than they’ve ever been.

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The pair also touch on the Advanced Dog Ownership Initiative (ADOI.org.uk), look back at previous episodes, and finish with the usual shameless request to like, follow and share.

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A little chaotic. A lot of dogs. Plenty of opinions. Exactly what you’d expect.