Other people's totem animals

One of our neighbours at last weekend's Book Fair was Ingrid Sylvestre of Giraffe World: greetings cards showing giraffes in local scenes, picture books featuring a family of giraffes, all fun stuff (and the more you like giraffes, the more fun you'll find it). Her stall was beautifully laid out with rainbow tablecloth and fur patterned paper bags, every detail working for the overall theme.

Now it just so happened I had a spare giraffe. Making conversation with our host at a B & B in France, I had admired the small furry animal attached to her key ring - and before I could say "I have a puffin on my other bag, back home," she had delved into a bowl and presented me with a giraffe - a curiously short-necked giraffe but indisputably a giraffe. Which was very sweet of her, and I thamked her nicely, but now, clearly, was my opportunity to pass the giraffe on to a good home.

Ingrid has since sent me this picture of Girodger the Giraffe; as you see, he is settling in nicely.