Nell: I see you took the Puppies down to the river.
Me: It’s always a little cooler down there.
Nell: Yes. The trees give you shade and there’s usually a light breeze, not to mention the river itself.
Me: Look at the joy on Harriet’s face. She’s not going to let the hot weather stop her having fun.
Nell: A gentle swim is just the thing on a warm day but running up and down the river bank is a little too much.
Me: She loves it, Nell. She smiles all the time when she’s in the water. Bless her. She’s a proper water rat.
Nell: Less of the rat, please. Harriet is a pedigree Labrador.
Me: It’s just a saying.
Nell: I always enjoyed a paddle in the cool water.
Me: I remember it well. You used to love surfing the waves, too.
Nell: Yes, in my younger days I liked to swim in the sea.
Me: Kev was saying how fast you could run when you were chasing a ball.
Nell: I was surprisingly quick on my paws.
Me: Happy memories.
Nell: Yes.
Me: My pocketful of happiness today is those memories and seeing Harriet having fun.
Nell: Mine too.
Me: It’s Faye’s birthday tomorrow. She’s going to be seven.
Nell: My goodness. How time flies.
Me: It seems only yesterday she was born.
Nell: Not really. A lot has happened since then. Covid for one.
Me: True. Chris and Shannon are flying to Berlin tonight so they’ll be there to celebrate with Faye.
Nell: How lovely.
Me: Yes. Are you going to write a poem for her?
Nell: Don’t I always?
Me: I know, but things are different now.
Nell: Not that different and definitely not when it comes to writing poems for loved ones.
Me: Sorry.
