I have always believed that we should do our best to get on with our neighbours. After all you never know when you might need their help at a difficult time. Many of the essays in this book began as pieces for my regular column in the magazine Philosophy Now. Philosophy Now is a happy street and I particularly like the chap – Professor Joel Marks – who lives next door to me at “Ethical Episodes”, his regular column. I can tell that he is a good guy because he has a beard like mine and, as is the case with me, the heat of philosophical thought has burnt off the hair that once adorned his cranium. What's more, he usually talks excellent sense.

Unfortunately, a little awkwardness has broken out between us of late. As is so often the case, the trigger has been the behaviour of pets: in this case, his dog. It's nothing serious. The creature hasn't eaten a long-awaited grandchild or chased a cat into permanent exile. It's about the dog cocking its leg. As always with seemingly trivial disputes, there is a bit of hinterland. So get yourself a beer, sit down, and I'll tell you the full story.