I can identify with parents of young children talking to them partly as a performance for other adults (Baby talk: how to join the conversation, 9 December). I’m sure I did it when I had young children and I certainly do it now in an attempt to give the impression of a responsible owner fully in control of the young standard poodle cavorting around at the end my lead. Last week I had yet another embarrassing encounter when my large over-excited canine delinquent barked in the face of a cockerpoo puppy causing it to jump out of its adorable curly coat and cower behind the local dog walker. I said my apologetic goodbyes and as I hastened away I heard myself saying to the dog: “Well, that was very silly wasn’t it, Sylvie. You have let yourself down, you let me down and, what’s more (pause for inspiration), you have let the whole village down.”
Paula Doran
Ashwell, Hertfordshire
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