Oh Boy

Hugo spent most of the morning in his basket beside my desk while I underwent a training session on consumer rights. He barely moved and was as silent as a ghost, but it won't work when clients are there because he'll follow me into the consulting rooms. Such a shame, but it will be back to the car, at least for the time being. We headed off down to Sizewell beach again straight afterwards and had a great time running wild in the wind. When I called he trotted back to my side and stood there, such a good boy, so well trained, thankfully not by me. Sammy and Stella were supposed to join us but Sammy has a dreadful cold and a hacking cough so it was just us. We sat for a while gazing into the sea, seal spotting, just enjoying being there.

Home again, and I put Hugo in the kitchen while I went to mow the lawn. It was one of those days when, the minute I went to put the mower away, a heavy hail storm started, and I went indoors feeling very smug and pleased with myself. Time for the other half of my sandwich, I thought. But what was this? Empty sandwich packet on the floor and the dog going crazy with joy and happiness. Was it because he was pleased to see me, or that he'd got one over on me for keeping him out of the garden by gobbling my lunch? There was no sign of it anywhere, just a very chuffed dog. He knew he'd done wrong. I showed him the empty box and asked him where my sandwich was, and he danced around me very peculiarly, pushing his head low into my leg, pawing the ground, and then trying to rise up without actually putting his paws on me. He writhed and wriggled in an agony of bliss and guilt, trying to placate me with his charm and self-abasement. I held his head, and said Oh you are such a naughty boy, and he wriggled and writhed all the more and, did I imagine it? - flashed me a gorgeous grin. Oh little boy, cuteness and love will get you everywhere. I think all this walking and running is making him more hungry. I'll have to up his portions, but I'll be keeping my own food well away from the scallywag in future.