RONALD ALLISON: A wag is as good as a hug (From Hampshire Chronicle)

RONALD ALLISON: A wag is as good as a hug

2:24pm Thursday 19th April 2007 in News

SO it is all a question of direction.

Apparently, according to a recent report, your dog is not necessarily pleased to see you merely because it is wagging its tail.

It all depends on the direction of the wag. If it is to the left, the dog is delighted; if it is to the right, it's not. Or was it the other way round?

Anyway, this contention certainly intrigued the Allison family.

Charlie, as a no fancy-cut miniature poodle, is effectively a bundle of black wool, handsome face at one end, a short stub of a tail at the other.

Trying to check which way he is wagging his tail is absolutely impossible. It may be short, but Charlie is capable of getting it going like a demented windscreen wiper.

He is an uncomplicated little fellow, easy to please and ever ready to make it abundantly clear when he is.

Try as we did we could come to no conclusion, other than that when Charlie wags his tail, it goes from side to side - left right, left right.

And that when he is wagging it is because all is well with his world.

"I wag, therefore I am happy - I do not wag, therefore I need some kind of tender loving care."

Which, because we are all a bit daft, he usually gets. All of which led to a few thoughts on having a dog.

First, a truism. Dogs most definitely are not "just for Christmas". They are a responsibility, they can be a tie and they do need a bob or two spending on them. But In the 20 or so months since Charlie joined the family, an eight- week-old I was able to hold in one hand, he has above all else been fun. Annoying at times? Yes, of course.

He was a puppy and still is very much a youngster.

That is all part of the pleasure. Some professional help with training, a good deal of patience and before you know it there is a well-rounded pet, a fully paid-up family member.

And that phrase - well-rounded. As dog-walker in chief I am sure that I am less well-rounded than might otherwise be the case.

I would undoubtedly take far less exercise if it were not for Charlie.

I would also have met far fewer people, not only other dog-walkers, who now stop to chat and admire. Charlie, that is - not me.

In the interest of total honesty, I must admit that not every encounter with other dog owners has been totally amicable, but then, dogs will be dogs!

All in all there have been many, many more friendly moments than otherwise.

Of course, not everybody likes dogs, not everyone would like to have one as a pet or be able to keep one even if they did.

But if you do want to and you can, it is so worthwhile.

To be honest I don't personally take the "man's best friend" line - I really do have some better friends than Charlie. Just don't tell him I said that.