Even endless rain can't stop fun of outdoor play

DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR A FIRST TIME DAD OF TWINS

- RICHARD IRVINE

Have you ever had a dog? Not the type who likes sitting on the sofa, pottering around or having a nap, but the one who's always up, barking and throwing a damp toy at you.

During the day, the pressure builds to take him, or her, outside for lots of exercise otherwise the evening will be tense, chaotic and punctuated by lots of barking.

You probably know where I'm going, and in defence of the children, there are differences, they leave little or no hair on the sofa and are yet to have an accident on the carpet.

What isn't different is the sense of dread I feel anticipating an evening with children who haven't left the house for a full day.