What I realise is so alien about the probe is it's sexlessness, consciousness without gender.

I'm glad you've noticed that, it is very deliberate and quite difficult to carry on; I'm constantly having to check that I haven't slipped a 'he' in there :-).

You could end the story there, a sort of "Tales of the Unexpected" twist ending. I'd prefer it if you didn't, as the story feels it's leading somewhere deeper.

I wrote chapter 3 at the same time to keep this part coherent; I'm just off to edit it now! :-)

Your Hampstead Heath one-man-and-his-dog musings paid off beautifully! :)

Indeed, the dog is going to be the fittest K9 in all of England by the time this has finished; possibly the world! :-D

Cg