Remember my wee adventure in the 'East Neuk' last month?
At the end of the two day coastal walk, Gail's friend Alison said something which got me thinking.
"You know, this trip has been quite an eye-opener. I had no idea just how many people stop and talk to you when you're accompanied by a dog".
Gail replied along the lines of she supposed she'd just got used to it over the years.
Alison (who is ever so nice) seemed to think it sad and a sign that many folk care more for dogs than their own species.
But Gail, who always likes to think the best of everybody, said as she see it humans - especially the reserved British* variety - need a little encouragement to help them communicate, and pups like me act as a conduit through which warmth, humour and compassion can flow more easily.
Strangely, neither Gail nor Alison seemed to consider the (to me) obvious point that if you are an exceptionally handsome/cute/appealing/adorable specimen then of course people will stop and talk!
What Gail didn't let on to Alison was that even more people stop to chat when she is out on her own with me.
*And what will being 'British' mean, in two weeks time?
