Great Western Coffee Shop

I was on a train from Redland to Temple Meads yesterday evening (1739 I think it was). At Montpellier, just as the doors were about to close, a woman jumped up, raced to the doors and jammed them open with her arms, managed to get off the train then turned round and jammed them open again; her dog was still on the train. The lead was in her hand. The dog was not on it. I don't know why the dog was reluctant to get off the train, but he needed quite a bit of coaxing by the woman and another passenger.

Perhaps the dog could read the sign about not obstructing the closing doors.

Dogs are naturally obedient.

Can you tell ours that!

Oh, you own a spaniel too then...?

You have to teach it to read first!

I can't say for sure that there's no spaniel in his bloodline... we think there may be some collie, a touch of labradog; as to the rest... who knows?

My heart not my head is writing.  It comes to an understanding between human guardian / parent (not going to say owner) and dog.  Of course the dog can't read ... but there can be a special bond and understanding, a look and a gesture.  I really miss Gyp; the bond and understanding is different with Billy - not saying better or worse, just different - here with me now.  But I had best get all of us some tea, hang out the socks, pour the sherry and put the minced pies for Santa up on the mantle piece.