If you had to sum up your life philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?

Probably this. It is not a unique thought but part of a quote from a book I picked up in a hotel bar.

The book was largely forgettable but the quote stayed with me.

Waldmeer by Donna Goodard.

No judgement at all about the book, I didn’t have the time to fully read it and chanced upon this quote.For completeness I might add.

There is a depth to life that only comes from our connection to other people whilst walking a dog.

Walking my dogs in the parks of London and here now, in my coastal community in Devon I have engaged with some fascinating people. People with dogs are obliged to stop and talk with one another as their dogs engage in bottom sniffing. Some people without dogs want to stop and talk with me because they want an interaction with my dog. All these random conversations can lead on to longer conversations as your dogs decide that you will circle the park or peninsular together.

Of course I joke about adding the dog bit. But without igniting a dog v cat debate, I would say in my fifty years of being Team Cat there was never a point where owning a cat expanded the depth of texture, friendship or communication of positivity with other humans. 13 years of Team Dog and I have lost count of all rhe gorgeous and delightful interacrions that my canine companions have engineered.

Hugo with his/our gang in Dulwich Park. The High Court Judge, The Principle Dancer at the Royal Ballet, and the owner of an International Model agency. Just dogs doing their thing and humans doing the same. But in any other life those humans would never have charttered so freely.

There is another interaction with an artist, so famous there are T.V programmes about him. Hugo felt that love was in the air as did the very famous artist whose owner was not in the least bit bothered.

He would have been bothered in the future if any puppies were created because Hugo could not help himself when art was being created. Not really a problem at my level of the business but nose prints at his level may not have been quite so acceptable.