Me: So, an interesting thing happened this morning.
Nell: Here we go.
Me: I mean it wasn’t a surprise in itself but it clearly showed the hierarchy amongst you labs.
Nell: Just tell me what happened.
Me: I was taking a photo of Dave on the sofa.
Nell: That’s not interesting at all. There’s a photoshoot every day in this family.
Me: Dave was looking magnificent as usual but extremely large so I thought I’d try and capture it on camera.
Nell: Nothing new there either.
Me: Then Harriet came along and chose to sit quietly at his feet on the floor.
Nell: It’s where she likes to sit.
Me: Everyone was content until you arrived and changed everything.
Nell: What do you mean?
Me: First of all you stuck your head in the picture making the photo blurry and the puppies uneasy.
Nell: I beg your pardon?
Me: And the next thing is the puppies have gone and you have the whole sofa to yourself.
Nell: Such is life.
Me: And you’re playing Cheeky Animals.
Nell: And your point is?
Me: Everything has to be your way.
Nell: Everyone knows that.
Me: They certainly do.
Nell: I’m the alpha female. The head of the family.
Me: The puppies have the right to sit where they like.
Nell: Not when I need the sofa.
Me: The sofa belongs to everyone.
Nell: What you don’t realise is there has to be a hierarchy in order for everything to run smoothly.
Me: Really?
Nell: Yes. It makes everyone feel safe. As the senior animal I have certain rights. It’s the way of the world.
Me: Your world.
Nell: Our world and you know it. Imagine if I started doubting myself and asking for your opinion. You’d be completely discombobulated.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
