And this is it Ken!

Ken Hearn : I've often wondered what effect it has on young Bing when the "old poop" tickles the ivories.

T H-T : Ken, watch this space! there's just such a blog about the dog soon!

Being welcomed by the boy Bing, if you’ve been out and about is......quite something!  Just where his version of a greeting comes from, I’m not sure.  

Once the initial tearing around with back legs nearly catching up with front ones, and the tail wagging at such a rate you can imagine the lad taking off, is completed - he will then disappear to find the newly arrived, a suitable present!  This can be anything and everything! The important thing is that he brings you a gift.

These ‘presents’ could be a blanket from his basket, the measuring top from the Persil bottle, any sort of carton from the cardboard waste shelf. EVEN a favoured squeaky ball! Having delivered this, at the first opportunity he will get it from you, and then dash for the garden, expecting the chosen one to join the chase and catch the gift back!

Enthusiasm is the thing, and I guess it reminds this old poop to be more upbeat and not such an aged relic.

For 'tis an inquiring mind this lad has, and his straightforward reactions to things that can perplex me, is most refreshing.  

I wouldn’t say he actually helps me compose a little tara-diddle, but when he decides to pass a comment on my efforts, he tends to cut through the problems, thus enabling me to firmly decide on a particular passage.

For example:

1. Hiding his head under a cushion denotes, along with a low growl …too loud / too high / both! 

2. Cocking his head to one side and crinkling his ‘hooter’ usually means ...too sad / too low / both!

3. Wandering out of the room without comment? ... Well, it’s back to the drawing board!
　
This is not to say he is without sentiment.  This last summer 
I've been setting some of A E Housmans 
‘A Shropshire Lad’ to (hopefully creditable) music.

He has witnessed much of this process, and even deigned to listen while I’ve sung ‘em through. 

‘They’re a bit sad old poop, but generally I think they are…..?’

‘Yes Bing?’

‘Well.’

‘Well?’

‘Yes guv, very well indeed.’

( Just between you, me and the treble clef, I’m taking this as a compliment, and will hum loudly to myself if you try to tell me anything different!!)