J'accuse ... Rover!

For a long time I've blamed this:

for this:

But I'm doing a poetry workshop in a few days' time about childhood and where we come from and I've been gathering a few bits and pieces that are triggers for writing about my past: a thruppenny bit, black and white photos, an old school exercise book, a  red hardback Famous Five book. I've bought some things too: Green Shield stamps, Black Jacks and Fruit Salads ... and this:  

God, I remember it so well!  My first reading book. And the joy of reading it all by myself.  The heady independence!  

I mean, I can still recite it.  And suddenly I am four all over again.

I remember the eponymous dog also.  Rover!  He was black, he was. And quite big.  He loved playing with his ball.  He was - 

A BLOODY BORDER COLLIE!

J'ACCUSE ROVER!