It seems to be a new trend that people now take their dogs along to various meetings open to the general public.
At a recent meeting, I had the unedifying view of a rather large, shaggy dog constantly rearing up onto its hind legs in the middle of an excellent lecture, slurping its tongue all over its owners face, totally distracting the audience and the speaker. Had its owner not heard of ringworm, diarrhoeal disease (salmonella, campylobacteriosis, and intestinal parasites) transmitted by dogs?
At another meeting a small dog, eager to greet a latecomer, scrabbled and scrambled to see him, completely drowning out the speaker's words.
I avoid Rye Harbour Nature Reserve because of free-range dogs jumping up, sniffing, and pooing everywhere. Am I to avoid, say the Kino and other locations where owners might now choose to take their pets?
A dear friend has several horses, one of which would very much enjoy a trip out to a lecture. It could do a natty little dressage number during the interval on the stage, whilst I sit, with my slightly incontinent old cat on my lap, enjoying the show, with a shovel and bucket to hand.
Is it me?
