Let me be honest.

 

Tonight, my dog smells.

 

Shhh . . . keep it to yourself, please. She’s sensitive about hygiene issues.

 

But she’s been frolicking in the park today, and has come home and positioned herself for the rest of the evening in front of a very warm fire . . . and her aroma is quickly permeating my lounge where I’d much prefer it to smell of pine needles from the newly-decorated Christmas tree, or the scented candle burning on the windowsill.

 

But there it is. She smells and unless I take her for a wash, that’s the way she’s likely to stay.

 

Someone at work last week told me they were finding it difficult to give feedback to someone about their performance.

 

“Well, they’re such a nice person, and everyone gets on with them.”

“And?” I asked.

“I’d hate to upset them – they’re really so lovely.”

 

Well not having an honest conversation for fear of upsetting a lovely person isn’t a reason to withhold vital information that might help them to develop, to improve their performance, to gain some much‑needed self-awareness.

Is it?

And so my trusted canine friend: your bath awaits . . . and oh, I’ve got something I need to say . . .