The coast is never far away either. Aldeburgh, Southwold and Orford give Suffolk a coastal dimension without the scale of a big seaside resort, each with its own quiet appeal rather than a packed promenade.

Norfolk covers a lot of ground, both literally and in terms of what it offers someone thinking about a later-life move. From the wide skies of the Broads to the long sandy coastline in the north, the county has a reputation for space, and for a pace of life that suits people who want fewer demands on their time.

Southend-on-Sea offers a larger option for anyone who wants a fuller range of shops, healthcare and transport links, including the longest pleasure pier in the world, while smaller settlements nearby such as Leigh-on-Sea keep a more traditional, close-knit feel with a working cockle industry and a well-regarded old town.

Introducing the new area gradually tends to work better than one long walk on day one. Short, calm walks close to home, gradually extending as the dog grows more confident, let an older dog build a mental map of the new surroundings without becoming overwhelmed. Keeping visitors to a minimum in the first week or two, however well-meaning, also gives a dog time to settle before it has to cope with new faces on top of a new home.

Most older dogs do adjust, given time and a reasonably calm start. Patience, rather than any particular product or technique, tends to be the thing that makes the biggest difference.

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