Diego is a Chihuahua cross who’s  into reading and philosophy and Suki is our other much larger dog ..

Diego wasn’t happy:

‘What’s this all about ?’

‘What’s what all about ?’

‘Suki says that we’re not allowed out for our walk this afternoon.’

‘That’s right.’

‘You’ve been reading one of your UK newspapers again online haven’t you ?’

‘Well, what if I have ?’

‘You know they’re not good for you. They get you in a right state. They’re like BFM or CNews in France – they get hold of a piece of news and then they put an alarmist handle on it and repeat it all day long. What are they saying this time ?’

‘They say it’s not good for dogs to go out when it’s over 30 °c  because of  the hot pavements.’

‘pfff..what do they know !’

‘It’s an RSPCA recommendation. You could damage the pads of your paws ‘

‘And how do they think dogs in really hot countries get by.’

‘I expect they do burn their pads sometimes’

‘Well, maybe .. but Suki’s going to be in a real state if she doesn’t get her swim in the river..have you thought of that ? She’ll be annoying me all afternoon for a start. So forget about your Internet we’re going out.’

‘And what about the hot pavements?’

‘We’ll walk faster….that’s how the people running over hot coals do it. They never get burnt because the soles of their feet aren’t in contact with the heat long enough for it to penetrate.’

‘Oh, is that right ?’

‘You never thought about it ? Trust me.’

‘ I suppose we could plan our route to the river to stick to the shady parts of  the pavements.’

‘You see, you’re learning. Machievel knew about the necessity for adaptation.’

‘Did he ?’

‘Well I’m not going into to it deeply, but he placed very highly the willingness to adapt to different circumstances. Right now for instance, because all you humans in the rich countries have been bloody stupid and ignored all the warnings and gone out and bought all those 4×4 tractors to drive around in and you insist on flying off to places like Dubai for your holidays and you desire all the manufactured tat that doesn’t even make you happy, we’re starting to experience some serious weather pattern upheavals. And as you’re not very likely to change overnight, we’re going to all have to adapt to the new situation.’

‘Do you think we’ve really fucked up ?’

‘I’d say so.’

‘That’s not very hopeful is it ?’

‘Come on, let’s go out, call Suki.’

‘No, hang on ..is there really no hope for humanity?’

‘You’re asking a dog?’

‘Well, you’re kind of special.’

‘All dogs are special..ok.. there’s one thing I do know.’

‘What’s that?’

‘We’ll be ok.’

‘What do you mean ?’

‘Dogs..us dogs will be here on this planet after you’ve long gone …Look at Chernobyl..;we’re back already and running free and wild too.’

‘But you’re all irradiated.’

‘Yes, but we  don’t live long enough to get a cancer….do we?’

‘Oh….you know there’s scientists working on finding a way for every human to live over a hundred years old?’

‘Yes, we’ve long since agreed among ourselves that humans are crazy …but lovable.’

‘So you’ll stick by us?’

‘For the time being…come on let’s go out.’