The Crown Prince of Thailand reportedly made his poodle, Foo-Foo, Air Chief Marshal of the Thai Air Force. He thus outdid Caligula, who was assassinated before he could make Incitatus, his favourite horse, consul. Much as I love dogs, I cannot but admit that the Prince’s appointment of Foo-Foo to high military honours bespeaks a certain levity that bodes the crown ill. Only my own late dog, Ramses, was truly worthy of such an elevation. I know, and like very much, all the local dogs: Oscar, Midge, Alfie. No really bad person could be the master of any of them.…