Hello.

My name is Nelly. I am two years old. I am beautiful. I am very affectionate.

I am also starving.

Apparently, this last statement is "factually incorrect." El says I have had breakfast. El says I have had treats. El says I have had dinner. El says I am on a diet. What El fails to understand is that a bullmastiff cannot survive on love alone. A bullmastiff needs cocktail sausages.

This is science.

Now, before we continue, I need to explain something about my sister, Bronte. Bronte thinks she is in charge. Bronte thinks she is intelligent. Bronte thinks she is sophisticated. Bronte likes to sit quietly and observe things. I prefer to launch myself directly into situations. For example, if El sits down on the sofa, Bronte will calmly walk over and place her head on El's knee. I will simply arrive at speed. If Bronte is already there, I will gently, but firmly, remove her.

This is not rudeness.

It is efficiency. There is only one El, and she belongs to both of us. Preferably me. Mostly me. Actually, entirely me.

This arrangement seems fair.

Life at 'OakWell Education' is very busy. Students come for tutoring. People come for coaching. Families ask for advice. El spends hours helping people become more confident and achieve things they never thought possible.

I help too.

Whenever El is talking to somebody online, I make regular appearances. Sometimes I sit beside her. Sometimes I sit behind her. Sometimes I even sit on her knee (El complains!) Sometimes I accidentally appear upside down in the background because I have rolled off a dog bed. The students seem to enjoy this.

I believe it adds a professional touch.

One thing I have noticed is that lots of people arrive feeling worried. Some worry about exams. Some worry about school. Some worry about confidence. Some worry about getting things wrong.

Personally, I have never worried about getting things wrong. I once got stuck behind a curtain because I forgot how they work. Five minutes later I was completely over it! Humans could learn a lot from dogs. When something goes wrong, don't spend three days worrying about it: have a nap, find somebody you love, ask for a cuddle, If possible, eat a sausage and then try again.

Another thing I have learned is that confidence grows in exactly the same way muscles do; a little bit at a time. Take one brave step, then another, then another and before you know it, something that felt impossible suddenly feels normal.

I know this because I have been doing training.

Apparently, there are things called "rules." (I know! I was shocked too.) The trainer says I have improved enormously. I can now wait patiently (for a few seconds). I can focus (sometimes). I can leave food alone (briefly). Bronte is much better at all this than I am, but I am trying, and every week I get a little bit better. Which is exactly what 'OakWell Education' teaches students.

Nobody has to be perfect. Nobody gets everything right immediately. Progress matters more than perfection. I think that is a wonderful lesson.

Now let's discuss the recent scandal.

The diet. The cruel and unusual diet. The betrayal. The injustice. The complete absence of unlimited cocktail sausages. Apparently, I am not 'starving.' Apparently, I am 'well nourished.' Apparently, sixty-four kilograms is 'quite heavy enough!'

The problem is that humans don't understand how difficult it is to be a bullmastiff. We have important responsibilities; We supervise; we protect; we cuddle; we monitor kitchen activity. All of these things require energy, and energy requires snacks… particularly cocktail sausages.

If anybody from the Bullmastiff Rights Association is reading this, please contact me immediately.

Despite this ongoing food crisis, I love life at 'OakWell Education'. I love the students. I love the families. I love the coaching clients. I love seeing people smile. I love seeing people become more confident. I love seeing people realise they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.

Most of all, I love that 'OakWell Education' is built on kindness.

Nobody is judged. Nobody is written off. Nobody is expected to do everything perfectly. People are listened to. People are supported. People are encouraged. People matter (and if they happen to have a spare cocktail sausage, that matters too). Now if you'll excuse me, I have important work to do. I need to check whether anybody has opened the fridge.... again.

Love,

Nelly

Assistant Chief Welfare Officer

Director of Snack Acquisition

Part-Time Tutor Supervisor

Full-Time Cuddle Monster

Leader of the Campaign for Increased Sausage Provision