Friday 16th November, 2012        1800

Mid-morning I was summoned to Professor Fang’s office. I regret to report that as a result of that meeting, Robin is now on death row and the sentence will be carried out at about lunchtime tomorrow. Apparently the reason I had not been approached after a student was bitten was because there was doubt over whether my dog had done it. This time though, they are sure because she was running after me on my e-bike when apparently she veered off and bit a teacher. I was asked to get rid of her and although yes, I could go with Kevin and abandon her somewhere else, the right thing to do is to have her destroyed because the next time it could be a small child.

I will of course be utterly distraught when I hand over the 200y execution fee to the vet tomorrow but I feel I have no option. I admit to having concerns in the past about her behaviour but never really thought she would go so far as to sink teeth into flesh and it is my duty to ensure she never does so again.

This happened after my first of three classes and I must admit it was taxing to remain outwardly cheerful in the other classes today - especially when the last one was the observed class with eight Chinese teachers attending. The one thing I have learnt since starting teaching is to leave my troubles outside the classroom door so as far as I know neither students nor staff have an inkling of the decision I made at ten o’clock.

As for the teachers who came to “learn”, I did notice they were all smiling a lot of the time so I hope that was a good sign, considering the moment they left they immediately filed into the meeting room on the floor below!

Saturday 17th       1800

I was so distracted last night that I got a couple of bread buns from a stall on campus and walked off without paying the 2y, resulting in the owners having to send their small child chasing after me. Good job they have known me ever since I have been here. Later I did something I didn’t think possible. One of my classes is having an English corner-cum-party on Friday and they asked me to come up with some games. They have been instructed to buy ballooons and string for the stamping game, apples and bring a bucket for bobbing and I thought I would use the egg game so bought some eggs and put them on to boil. I was so introspective I forgot all about them and they boiled dry. I actually burnt boiled eggs - the shells were charcoal!

Although I went to bed early my sleep was fitful and of course all I could do was think about the impending execution. I had prepared a big last supper of liver but Robin decided not to come home anyway. I got up early and waited for Kevin to suface, then we captured Robin using food and subterfuge. I swear she knew what was going on because she was highly wary of me, but we got her in the car and set off. My mood was understandably morose.

At the vets I thought it best to hand over the money immediately because I felt I would not feel up to small talk and courtesy once the deed was done. The doctor was at lunch so we had to wait a few minutes, interminable ones at that. To make matters worse, at three we were due at a language society party and I wasn’t sure if I could maintain a jovial pretence or speak on stage if asked.

The vet returned and there ensued a lot of Chinese conversation followed by much tapping of keys on a laptop, which they eventually got translated online for me. It read that because she was healthy they didn’t have the heart to kill her, but if I was happy to leave the monies I had paid they would keep her there and find a new home for her. They knew full well she had bitten someone and I was at pains to point out that she would need to be confined in a secure garden and kept on a lead when out - they didn’t see a problem with it. Cynic that I am something in the back of my mind has dark thoughts of her being somebodys Sunday stir fry, but then she would still end up dead, which is what I took her there for. They have a room downstairs that often has dogs in it and it seems they genuinely do try to rehome unwanted ones, so fingers crossed. She would make a good guard dog for a farm.

As a result although of course I am sad she has gone I am happy she is not in the great kennel in the sky and so I actually enjoyed this afternoon’s concert - even though most of it was in Chinese.