Me: Did you know that you can tell an awful lot about animals from the way they drink?
Nell: Here we go.
Me: You are patient and prefer to wait.
Nell: True.
Me: You could also be seen as caring as you allow others to go first.
Nell: Thank you.
Me: Although I think it has more to do with needing space.
Nell: I have the wisdom of maturity, if you must know. Good things come to those who wait and we, senior Labradors, are experienced at doing just that.
Me: Harriet is all about getting things done quickly and efficiently. A short drink is sufficient and she steps aside to allow others their turn.
Nell: That sounds about right.
Me: Poppy is straight in there. If she needs a drink she is having one. No matter how many larger animals are at the bowl.
Nell: And David?
Me: Dave just drinks. And drinks. And drinks. And drinks.
Nell; He is a large animal.
Me: He would probably still be drinking now if we hadn’t continued our walk.
Nell: David has a huge capacity to live in the moment.
Me: Yes. Life is there to be enjoyed and he is going to do it.
Nell: I don’t think he even noticed I was waiting.
Me: No.
Nell: So, I decided I might as well join him.
Me: A wise move.
Nell: I could have been sitting there all day otherwise.
Me: Or at least until the bowl was empty.
Nell: The bowl was never going to be empty.
Me: Really?
Nell: Kev was there with a big container of water. He was never going to let that happen.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And you would have given me your water.
Me: I would.
Nell: You and me. Always.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
