A Lady and her dog

WWII, an American soldier, weary from long weeks at the front is on a train leaving Paris and looking for a seat among the packed carriages.

Finally he sees up ahead, space beside a well dressed woman wearing a wide brimmed hat. As he approaches, he sees past the hat, a poodle languishing in the seat he would dearly like to fall into.

He addresses the woman explaining he has been up and down the train, and not finding a seat anywhere respectfully requests the poodle be moved, perhaps onto her lap, allowing him rest his bones.

The woman shrieks at the affront, the seat belongs to Fifi!!, bought long in advance to ensure a pleasant trip for both her and her pet, and is certainly not available to the First American cochon who wanders along! With a sigh, the soldier graciously takes his leave and makes his way back along through the carriages continuing the search.

Finding himself unsuccessful and back at this Frenchwoman’s seat, he politely makes his request once more. On hearing the same shrieking response, with ever more disdain, the soldier leans over, picks up Fifi, opens the train window and flings the dog out. He takes the seat while the Frenchwoman apoplectic now, appeals to a fellow passenger to defend her honour. The gentleman, an Englishman winks at the soldier saying "My good man, I do believe you threw the wrong bitch from the train"

Bob Tallent