I admit, I’m no canine expert. But the spaniel, in my mind at least, encapsulates many of the endearing qualities that dog lovers seem to appreciate.

Their dogged enthusiasm for life is inescapable. Their eyes are bright, their tails are endlessly waggy and their capacity for love and faithfulness seems boundless. A dog of dogs.

Spaniels are characterised, it seems to me, by their over-enthusiastic and loving nature. And yet, however waggy the tail, however adoring the eyes, however excited they may be to greet someone, if that person doesn’t like dogs, that spaniel is never going to be to their liking. In fact the more the dog bounces and wags and licks in an attempt to win that person over, the less impressed that person is likely to be. Some people find a dog’s constant yearning for love, affection and attention just too needy. Maybe they prefer cats. Or reptiles. Or birds.

Let me put it another way. Imagine a beautiful peach. Just the perfect size and shape and juiciness. At its peak of peachy, fuzzy ripeness. But if I don’t like peaches, it’s perfection is in vain. I’d pass it by.

You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea (other warm beverages are available). And if you’re coffee, you can’t become tea just to please somebody. Just be the best coffee you can be. Your people will find you and love you exactly as you are. Be a beautiful peach. Or an over enthusiastic spaniel. But please stop trying to please people who will never appreciate your amazing, unique qualities. You are enough, just exactly as you are.