Me: What a beautiful walk to have just near our house. How lucky are we?
Nell: Yes, if I was allowed to actually walk it.
Me: We walked all the way down to the stream.
Nell: And then we stopped.
Me: Yes, we did. You were tired.
Nell: David and Harriet walked on with Kev.
Me: Dave and Harriet weren’t tired. And they’re a lot younger than you.
Nell: They’re going to be 8 in June.
Me: You’re 13, Nell.
Nell: I wanted to go with them.
Me: I know you did.
Nell: You stopped me.
Me: I did.
Nell: Forcibly.
Me: I had no choice.
Nell: You put me on my lead.
Me: It was the only way. You refused to listen to me.
Nell: I could have walked up that hill.
Me: You probably could have, Nell. But what about walking back?
Nell: We could have taken our time.
Me: We always do. I couldn’t risk you getting overtired.
Nell: I’m a senior Labrador. I make my own decisions.
Me: Not when it might cause you harm.
Nell: You were a bully.
Me: No. I made a decision.
Nell: I’ve been up the hill before.
Me: I know. I remember. I hadn’t put your lead on and while I was paddling in the stream you marched off.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: You were so tired later.
Nell: I still did it.
Me: Fine. If the weather is a little cooler and you are having a good day we might go up there.
Nell: Good.
Me: But if you’re tired and struggling in any way we are turning around.
Nell: Maybe.
Me: No maybes. You’re just going to have to accept that sometimes I actually know best.
Nell: Stuff and nonsense.
Me: I’m putting my foot down about this. Sorry.
