My cat came home from the vets last week with what they described as a ‘Hollywood smile’.

I subjected Gordon to a full dental – clean, polish, the works. But he also ended up having to have four teeth removed, which must have been bothering him, as he’s now got a new lease of life.

It benefited me too – now when I snuggle up next to him, his breath is as sweet as a bowl of cherries rather than the rancid sock drawer I’d become used to.

The treatment wasn’t cheap but it was worth it to see him happy.

Most pet owners will do anything for their animals, who are currently the focus of National Pet Month. Sadly there are those who don’t, but the majority of us really care.

Sometimes too much. “That cat never gets shouted at like the rest of us,” my husband often says. It’s true, I do go overboard, taking him for walks, giving him treats, and making hot water bottles (although he’s not the brightest – he will settle upon one even when it’s cold). I even joke that we’re getting married and put my wedding ring on his paw.

But I don’t fuss to such an extent as some pet pamperers, who buy fancy beds with wrought iron bedsteads for their cats, make homemade treats, and even massage them. I draw the line at that.

And I do tell him off, particularly when he attacks dogs. Recently he gave Georgie, a gentle, 12-year-old boxer, a bloody nose. I apologised and gave her some biscuits as recompense. A white Scottie refuses to walk past and now quakes at the sight of me too.

You can even get hold of DVDs of birds and small animals for cats to enjoy. Cats in the US (where else?) settle down to watch Cat TV.

Since he returned from the vets I have been guilty of over-indulging him – “Don’t make that bed, Gordon’s on it”, I will say, at 3pm, when he’s been there since morning.

Pets are worth indulging. Maybe I’ll get onto Gordon’s nails next, and get them cut to help those poor dogs.