So summer is here and so is the heat.

Hot temperatures can be a problem for us dogs but I do like to go out and sun myself.

Walkies, even with my white coat, are made harder, though, when the mercury passes 20 degrees.

Matt, my human person, thinks chucking a bucket of water at me is an effective method to cool me down.

I’ve considered calling the RSPCA but I never get beyond moaning to Margot the dalmatian from Milden. She can talk!

Frank the labrador from Leiston was engaged; I hear he’s on a dog keep-fit camp. He can only hope.

This summer it seems like I’m going to have to find things to keep me amused.

My acting agent has gone quiet and with the World Cup now running I’ll be lucky to get my two walkies a day.

But never fear, Wimbledon is here. The greatest tennis tournament in the world starts up on June 23 and I’ve made a decision.

What can a fast, agile, fitness-fanatic dog do? Be a ball-boy (or girl) of course.

With Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and Federer competing for the men’s title, I’ll have my work cut out.

But as I know BBC tennis favourite Sue Barker I’m sure I’ll be in with a chance.

What have they got to lose? I’m quicker than the average 12-year-old human girl and less demanding.

Matt has got me practising in the garden but we’re quickly running out of balls.

He says that as I’m no retriever I’d be better off finding employment elsewhere.

But with strawberries and cream, freshly-cut grass and a chance to hobnob with the tennis glitterati of Becker, Borg and McEnroe, I think I’ll stick with Wimbledon.

No dogs were harmed in the making of this column.

Abbie Hunter lives near Stowmarket, with her human person, Matt.

Write to her at ealifemag@archant.co.uk or 30 Lower Brook Street, IP4 1AN, with photos on your dog’s World Cup experience

As told to Matt Hunter