When it comes to school pet days and you live in the city, you can’t really compete with the country schools where horses and lambs, goats and Jack Russell terriers abound.

So it came to the day when my youngest 7-year-old Rosie had the pet day. And, of course, we had to be there with bells on, or rather with an adolescent Labrador on a very strong lead.

We have two labs, brothers Mickey and Buddy.  One reliable (for a 2-year-old) and one an enthusiastic fruit loop who attacks every day like it’s his last and every morsel of food like it’s his last supper.

So it was obvious which would get the nod for the school pet day.

Buddy the reliable was the man.  When you put a 2-year-old Lab in a school yard with about 50 other dogs, you have to be vigilant. And that I was.  The fact that my right arm is now slightly longer than my left is the only negative.

My good friend Jan Fennell, the Dog Listener, says you should never take your dog out unless you feel comfortable and in control. I felt neither but in some cases, you just have to go with the flow.

500 kids and 500 animals! Fortunately in the city, if you don’t have a pet you bring a soft toy.   No country kid would be seen dead turning up to school with a teddy bear! But needs must.  Unfortunately, it’s difficult to explain to a Labrador

And we did have a pony, too. Transporting a prancing pony in a big horse truck all the way into the heart of our biggest city is no mean feat.