Three

I think I will be able to live in your flat Philippa even if it is small because I like your shelves and I've never been to work before so I'm thrilled at the prospect but I've been thinking and perhaps we could catch a taxi into work if it's raining. I don't want to catch any more buses and it would be a lot more comfortable. I could sit on your lap and stick my nose out the window.
‘I’m not taking you off the lead for a while yet until I’m sure that you’re not going to run off and get into trouble OK George?’
Yes although if I do run off it’s just my natural enthusiasm and exuberance for the world. That’s what Wendy used to say. Big Trish used to call me a naughty little f***** but I don’t think that was fair. I just have a natural….. wait a second….wait Philippa….. there we go. I just have a natural curiosity and a desire to know everything. It’s not my fault. It’s my breeding. Even Wendy says it’s not my fault and she knows everything – well no, she just thinks she….wait…. wait Philippa….OK. The point is I need to explore sometimes but I always come back. I’m very good at coming back actually. I am, because I have an excellent sense of smell and direction. So you see you can let me off the lead because…..wait….wait a second Philippa….. that’s it. What was I saying? Oh yes, you can trust me to come back. I get a bit distracted occasionally but that's only because things crop up which have to be dealt with straight away. I don’t like to leave a situation unattended when something can be done about it immediately. It’s not in my nature. And most things require urgent attention actually and….wait Philippa……
‘Oh George do we have to cock our leg at the corner of everything?’
Yes Philippa, absolutely. It’s important that the neighbourhood knows that George has arrived. This is my patch now.
‘I want to show you the canal and we won’t get there at this rate’.
Well the thing is if you let me off the lead then.. wait….wait Philippa….. no, wrong smell, carry on….. where was I? Yes, if you let me off the lead I won’t hold you up every time. So you see it would be really a very practical thing to do. Apart from anything else.