Dogged pursuit

Sir, – I must object to Kevin Lalor's assertion that "dogs, our faithful friends, are for owning, loving and training" (Letters, March 5th). My lifelong relationship with human's best friend has taught me one thing: you do not own a dog, the dog owns you.

My dogs adhere to the general training standards of ”heel, come to a call, sit on command, and not bark mindlessly”. I tried to teach these standards to my husband and failed miserably. – Yours, etc,

CLAUDIA McMANUS,

Leixlip,

READ SOME MORE

Co Kildare.

Sir, – I see that Queen Elizabeth in Britain has been given a present of two puppies to see her through the lockdown and through the other current stresses in her life.

I’m certain that if I arrived home to my wife with two puppies to see her through the lockdown that I’m the one who would end up in the kennel. – Yours, etc,

FINBAR KEARNS,

Piercestown,

Co Wexford.