Bias against some dogs but not others

So Gail, let's get this straight, you leave me at home earlier this evening to go with your friends Yvonne and Kirsty to a talk at the University by feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez. You say sorry Bertie you aren't invited, dogs will not be allowed in the lecture hall.

That's correct Bertie.

And then you come home and tell me that Ms Criado-Perez walked on stage with a wee Jack Russell-ish type dog who sat quietly on her lap throughout her talk.

That's correct Bertie.

Well leaving aside the basic unfairness of the situation, I have to say I quite like the sound of this lady. I assume she gave an excellent talk about her new book 'Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men' (which I believe you have not read, by the way).

Well Bertie, up to a point. Although Kirsty, Yvonne and myself did come away thinking the talk was probably targeted at women (and men) at least thirty years younger than ourselves, and we found it rather lacking in substance at times. 

So I assume that none of you bought her book, even though had you done so you would then have enjoyed the opportunity to get it signed by the author and to give the wee dog an ear scratch and ask its name.

That's correct Bertie. But Google has informed me the pup's name is Poppy.

Hmm, I wonder if Poppy has been allowed to 'christen' the fine statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett, which her owner successfully campaigned to have erected in Parliament Square in London? I guess you are going to tell me you don't know.

That's correct Bertie.

Now Gail, my sensitive nose detects that you might have had a glass of wine or three with Yvonne and Kirsty after the talk? No need to answer that one...

Good night.