I'll laugh about it later...

We are training Snow to be an Autism Assistance Dog. It's hard work and wonderful in equal measure.

This week, at training, she was brilliant. It was the best session we had ever had... until it wasn't.

The impeccable session ended up with Snow relieving herself in the shopping centre, with nothing other than a 'sock poo'. Our sock-eating dope of a dog had got herself in a digestive pickle.

We got it all sorted out. Everything cleaned up, sock disposed of, no big problems.

But the sharp fall from pride to embarrassment took a while for me to get over.

Later, I wrote it all down with a soothing cup of coffee next to me. Partly because I wanted to cleanse myself of the experience, but mostly because I know I'll laugh about it later.

That's the beauty of journaling. Writing about those cringy moments gives you some immediate relief. Then, later, you often appreciate it in a different way.

It's made me see that our story together – of wins, losses and all-out-farces – is one I don't want to change. The mess (literally!) is all part of the story.

If you want to write the real story of your pet, we have a lovely range of books and journals just for you.