While visiting an early childhood centre recently, a small boy dressed as a little dog crawled towards me, panted, and stopped before me for a pat. I patted him on the head and commented on what a quiet, friendly dog he was. He nodded, panted again and his eyes shone. It was mat time at this centre, and a teacher reminded this wee dog that he needed to be back on the mat. He obediently joined the group, sitting at the edge of the mat, filling in time while the teacher decided on the learning that was to happen. The little dog disappeared and wasn’t seen again that day.