Having been an avid watcher of the Street for years, I am both disappointed and angry at the way dogs are used in this soap. OK, it is only a soap but, having said that, some of the very best screen writers and directors have shaped this excellent series since it began.

Why, then, do we have to put up with these old and worn cliches every time a dog is written in to the programme? Why have dogs altogether? Let's face it, the Barlows' border terrier existed for 5mins before it 'disappeared' for the next 3mths! Why make Ken Barlow (a man of obvious education and caring) actually go out to set the animal loose on the public highway ... or was it the Red Wreck? Tyrone's greyhound seems to have evaporated; Kirk 'lost' the kennels; Maria (once a dog lover) become totally abhorent toward them when Chesney tried to 'move in' the Great Dane to the flat ... and now, wouldn't you know it, she's back into buying a black lab puppy for Liam!

Come off it, Corrie, don't you know you shouldn't buy dogs for presents. Once again it was suggested to 'lose' the dog in order to get rid of it! And just to add insult to injury, Liam is now a social outcast! Why? Well, he has a (wait for it) DOG!!! "What's THAT?" we hear Corrie characters asking. Answer: It's a DOG! According to Jamie Baldwin, a dog's 'unhygienic in the kitchen' ...??? ... Cliche, cliche, cliche ... 'It' can't be taken into the Rovers ... Cliche, cliche ... I reckon the 'not in here' from the Kabin must surely follow.

Let's face it, Coronation Street has neither been good or accurate when it comes to 'soap' dogs. I suggest they lose the 'dog' scenarios because they just don't work. Obviously, people 'up north' aren't familiar with these animals!