THAT’S LIFE Laid-back Delilah’s taking full advantage of her move up the doggie pecking order

Delilah has been renamed. Well, by the chief and I, anyway… Yes, Delilah has a new nickname. This imperious creature will now be going under the title of De-lounger – because I have never met such a lazy dog.

Mention the word “walkies” and our fluffy lion-faced friend simply sighs and rolls over on the carpet.

Throw a soft toy down the hall and she looks at you as if to say: “Well why don’t you fetch it yourself ?”

On the rare occasions we do manage to get her out and about, she will occasionally break into something resembling a trot, but most of the time this languid hound is quite happy just sashaying round the house.

There she goes. Head high, tail swishing, hips swaying – mistress of all before her.

Then, as you know, the chow chow is traditionally the dog of emperors.

This Chinese breed was a pampered pet. One that was a law unto itself – and that still thinks it is.

Delilah grandeur.

And with poor Rummie, the naughty Norfolk, sadly gone and deeply missed, she is realising has visions of she is no longer pecking order.

This laid-back hound has had a promotion – and doesn’t she know it.

Delounger is now No 2 on the dog ladder, with Barra the spaniel at the top.

And while she holds court, the search for another MacNaughty begins, although now is probably not the best of times to start something like this.

Because the world and his wife now seem to fancy having a canine companion, prices are rocketing.

This is good in one way. You would hope that if people are prepared to pay more for a pet, they might actually really want one.

But in another, it is not so good. A pet seen as a moneymaking machine can cause all sorts of problems – not least with unregulated puppy farms and theft.

Last month the news was that more than 80 stolen dogs had been rescued from a site down in England.

Can you imagine the relief when they were reunited with their owners?

It is a horrible thought. You would forever wonder where and how they were. How long would you keep on searching? third in the

It is heart-breaking when a four-legged friend goes missing.

So, keep a close eye on Fido – a name that means “faithful” by the way and was once America’s most popular dog designation.

These days Fido no longer reigns supreme, pushed out by names like Bailey and Buddy to name but two…

But back to our own queen in residence. We will really miss Delilah when she goes.

Because at some stage, when this lockdown ends, our daughter will leave our bubble and take her back to her own house.

Let’s face it. Delounger might not be the most active dog in the world, but she is one of the most endearing – and when she rolls over to get her tummy tickled, you can see her smiling.

“MENTION THE WORD ‘WALKIES’ AND OUR FLUFFY LION-FACED FRIEND SIMPLY SIGHS AND ROLLS OVER ON THE CARPET

Fluffy queen in residence Delilah is very happy living in her lockdown bubble at Fiona’s house.