Me: You are up early.
Nell: Yes. After yesterday’s excitement I felt the need to check on David.
Me: How is he?
Nell: He was very hungry so Poppy made him a light breakfast of scrambled egg with buttered toast.
Me: That’s good.
Nell: We are now sitting in front of the fire discussing things a dog should never eat. Harriet is taking notes.
Me: I hope conkers are top of the list.
Nell: I like to call them horse chestnuts but yes, they feature prominently.
Me: Thank goodness Kev saw him eat them and drove him straight over to the vets.
Nell: Yes. Alex gave him a swift injection and David spent a rather unpleasant few hours getting rid of the horrible things.
Me: Poor Dave.
Nell: I would like to hope he has seen the error of his ways but I think beach walks might be advisable at the moment.
Me: Is he very low?
Nell: Not at all. He was FaceTiming with Sally first thing this morning giving her all the gory details.
Me: Oh dear.
Nell: If I have to hear her say: “My poor darling Davey” again I will be the one being sick.
Me: It’s young love.
Nell: On another note I made an interesting discovery last night.
Me: What?
Nell: Mutley has selective deafness.
Me: What do you mean?
Nell: You know how you call him and he never hears, or I ask him something and he doesn’t answer?
Me: Yes.
Nell: Well, a few hours after David got back Kev decided that a few plain biscuits could be given as treats.
Me: Yes.
Nell: We Labradors got into our receiving treats positions. Harriet to the far left, David in the middle and myself on the right. Poppy likes to move freely, as does Mutley. It’s a terrier thing.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Well, Kev decided to try and see if Mutley remembered the whisper trick Chris taught him years ago. So he whispered “Woof”.
Me: What happened?
Nell: Mutley whispered “Woof” back. Just like the old days.
Me: But he can’t hear.
Nell: He obviously can when he wants to.
Me: A bit like you then.
Nell: Excuse me?
Me: Sorry.
