Me: What are Harriet and Poppy doing?
Nell: They are playing Tickle and Turn. Nothing to worry about?
Me: What on earth is that?
Nell: It’s a popular game.
Me: I’ve never played.
Nell: Of course you haven’t it’s only for dogs. Or do you want to wriggle on the floor on your back?
Me: Not really.
Nell: I thought not.
Me: How do you play?
Nell: If you get caught and tickled you have to roll on your back and move around. Then you can catch someone else.
Me: It sounds fun.
Nell: Poppy takes it too far and adds wild barking but David and Harriet keep it to acceptable grunting in the correct labradorian way.
Me: I always thought you were just rolling around for fun.
Nell: It is fun.
Me: What if you don’t want to play?
Nell: A raised paw and shake of the head should suffice. Although terriers never seem to listen and I find walking away the best solution.
Me: It must be annoying, though, if you are in the middle of dinner and someone tickles you.
Nell: In the middle of dinner! A labrador would never suggest Tickle and Turn during dinner. What on earth are you talking about?
Me: Yes. Sorry.
