I visited one of my cousins for dinner last Saturday. She and her partner have a dog called Sam who is a springer spaniel. Sam has two main modes of behaviour:

1. The “hello I’m Sam and I want to lick you” mode: this basically involves Sam padding around, whining, licking any hand that comes to reach and wagging his tail
2. The “I’m so excited I don’t know what to do” mode: which involves Sam padding around the house, carrying his toy rabbit in his mouth, whining and wagging his tail.

As my cousin wrote in an e-mail to me, Sam thinks (despite his size) that he’s a lap dog. She’s right. Sam didn’t need much provocation to jump on my lap when I was sat on the couch and I think we’re now the best of friends.