Man's best friend ..

I popped into the mini supermarket outside work to get 20 quid put on my gas card. I prefer it to a huge electricity bill that makes me suffer from a panic attack, but that's a different story.

There are always blokes (yes, before you say owt, always males here) begging at the entrance. Kind of goes with the territory; busy thoroughfare, main, Edinburgh city centre street, visitors, folk with big hearts, cash dispenser nearby. Usual.

Anyway. I was fumbling around, searching for my wee piece of necessity, and l actually looked at the skinny, scruffy pitiful youngish man sitting under an assortment of blankets, a duvet and one of those backs from a settee.

It was bloomin' freezin', that drizzly rain flyin' around in the wind.

I never give money to anything, as there are too many beggars dotted around the city, and hundreds of charities, so l decided ages ago when l had a big bucket stuck in my face by a scary lookin' clown one 'Children in Need' November, or whenever it was, that l would abstain from wondering which was more in need of my pound coins.

One of the things that caught my eye about this particular person was his obligatory dug. It was a big black one that had a larger head than its owner. Honest.

It had huge earmuffs on, and was swathed in an assortment of what looked like scarves. I don't know if it was to attract the attention of prospective givers, or to genuinely keep said animal's lugs warm, but the muffs sat on the side of his head like a pair of speakers. The dog looked around at the sliding doors whenever someone came out, and that movement sent a moo-ing sound out to the passers by. Nice touch ..

The other thing was the little cakes they were sharing. Someone handed him a cake box full of mini pastries, choux buns and eclairs. Daintily snuggling in their tissue paper, then big dog licking it into his jaws from the generous owner.

I still won't give money, but l will perhaps buy some food now.

What do YOU do ..