Mackerel shame

It's week two of puppy training and Dolly surpassed herself on the 'Stay'. Sadly our moment of glory didn't last long as I admitted to the group that I let Dolly have the occasional mackerel fillet as a treat.

There was a pause. "You give her what? Mackerel?" Asked the instructor in hushed tones of utter disbelief. "Well..I worry she might not eat enough." I stammered, while the rest of the class shuffled their feet and looked intently down at their shoes.

With an almost imperceptible shake of her head, the instructor turned away.

The shame. The mackerel shame. I am clearly a terrible, irresponsible dog owner who will ruin her puppy through over-indulgence.

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