Ah, the old sausage above the lens trick... works every time!

Do you ever think your job is strange? Some days I spend hours on the floor waving chipolatas over a man’s head and occasionally meowing. And I love it.

Before you suggest a trip to the shrink, I should explain that I work as the publications manager for Dogs Trust, and from time to time I have to organise photo shoots for our magazine, Wag, or for our annual report.

Years of experience have shown me that 100% of dogs will stare at a sausage; therefore if you want a dog to look at the camera, you’d darn well better dangle that saveloy above your lens.

Last week I was up to my eyeballs in puppies, whippets, tripod dogs, old dogs, fat dogs, Mastiffs and Cavaliers, all in the name of beautiful photography. One of our top models, Bubble, arrived on set and promptly pooped all over the floor – prompting our snapper to quip “You don’t get that with Kate Moss.”

True, but then Kate’s fee is probably a bit higher than a packet of Schmackos and a tummy rub.

You’ll be able to see the final results of my sausagey day out in the charity’s annual report, which will be available to download in May. Until then, check out some more behinds the scenes photos: