Me: Now, who is that handsome senior labrador?
Nell: It is Boone from Vancouver, Canada, as you well know. He is also in the running for Handsome Hound.
Me: Isn’t he an admirer of yours, Nell?
Nell: We have exchanged the occasional email over the years but have never actually met.
Me: How romantic.
Nell: Stop right now. I know what you are like.
Me: It’s still nice to be admired from afar though, isn’t it?
Nell: Yes, Boone is a delightful fellow. He has that relaxed Canadian charm.
Me: Does he now?
Nell: Enough. We have other matters to deal with this morning.
Me: I think I’m too tired to ‘Glide with Gladys’, walking up that hill yesterday finished me off.
Nell: Stop complaining. Captain Tom will be 100 at the end of this month and he walks every day.
Me: He’s raised £12 million now for the NHS. Isn’t that amazing?
Nell: It is perfectly wonderful in every way. Did we donate?
Me: Of course, on his JustGiving page.
Nell: Good. Now, we need to do something about Princess.
Me: Why? We all love having her here.
Nell: She is monopolising Malcolm’s paddling pool and you know he likes to cool his feet.
Me: Everyone uses it, Nell. The larger animals drink out of it.
Nell: Well, they shouldn’t. Anyway, I spoke to Knitwear Wolf and he is going to drive her down to the sea.
Me: Is it an essential journey?
Nell: Of course it is. Seals need to swim in the sea. Our Penguin is going too.
Me: I wish I could go.
Nell: Don’t start. Myfanwy has been complaining about it already.
Me: But Princess can’t ride on his motorbike. She’ll fall off.
Nell: She’s going in the sidecar. Do keep up.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
