I quite like dogs myself, but think they don’t really belong in an urban environment unless you have the space/time to care for them.

Of course, there is always the Korean perspective on dogs. heh-heh.

Taking potshots at someone – fine. Personal abuse – wrong.

Whatever the merits or lack of them in Alice’s post, your description, the “Witch of Somerset” is definitely abusive and wrong.

You should apologise.

Philip

If you intended criticism of our head of state, meditate on the fact that we have had a non-elected, non-political head of state who has served us loyally for 50 years – at who knows what sacrifices to herself at times; she doesn’t burden us with confessions. The French have Jacques Chirac. He is to be arrested and charged with fraud the day he leaves office. Before that they had another big-time crook and sleazeball, Mitterand, who escaped prosecution by death. And as I write, I feel hovering at my shoulder the faux aristocrat and all round poseur Valery d’Estaing.

Alice Bachini, in her lumpen attempt at humour, simply ignores the fact that when you prick the royals, they bleed, just like us. There will always be some frivolous and some indolent members of the royal family around the fringes, but all in all, we’ve been lucky with our monarchs. Generally speaking, Mike Renter, most of us are fond of our Queen. Personally, I do not care for Prince Charles, but he is diligent and caring. Princess Anne undertakes more royal engagements, and by far the most gruelling, of any member of the royal family. They are duty driven.

I don’t think I could have written these words about Bill Clinton, say, or Jimmy Carter or John Kennedy.

“”princess” (why you Brits put up with that title is beyond me)…”

Speaking only for myself here, I ‘put up’ with such things because our Monarchy is a part of our history, tradition, culture and (the remains) of our constitution).

If it was abandoned now I guarantee that it will be replaced with something far worse.

Yes I do, after all, I do read your articles, and I admit to finding them quite amusing – sometimes. However I am definitely not into the nasty, juvenile humour that your idol indulges in.

If she could only came out with an original thought of her own, instead of composing some over-contrived, sneery critisism, just for the sake of attracting attention, then perhaps her posts may get taken more seriously. Honest opinion is always worth reading, patent rubbish is plain irritating.

I never could find much humour in delighting at someone else’s misfortune or dilemma, unfortunately this appears to be her only competence.

Enough said on the matter, you like her items , I do not, let’s just leave it at that.

I’m sure Alice isn’t happy about the Queen being upset at the loss, but she’s right that many people over-sementalize their pets. Those who feel the need to bark at the source of this insight probably identify with the problem.

Relax, and have a Merry Christmas.

Jeez!, what a brown-nose you are Patrick.

Just what are you scared of?.

Alice is always right.

Yes, some people are damaged to the extent that they find dogs to be better friends than people. It does take more effort to have a good relationship with a human being.

Can we really know what goes on in another being’s mind, human or otherwise?

With regard to the royal family, I think on balance, I prefer having an non-elected, non-political head of state. The French have Jacques Chirac.

But would-be humorous comments that come accompanied by the whine of an axe grinding and the smell of vitriol are seldom amusing. Ms Bachini’s post was a case in point. It came across as vengeful and cruel. Taking pleasure in the distress of someone who has done you no harm just because they occupy an elevated position and you don’t isn’t, you know, funny.