Sir, After reading numerous stories about the commercial worth of the dog which won the Britain’s Got Talent television contest and hearing Radio Oxford’s invitation to dog owners to contact the airwaves with news of their pet’s clever tricks, I looked afresh at my family’s Staffordshire-cross dog.

Our Alfie cannot boast of many tricks or earn us a fortune by performing, but if the BGT prize is worth millions to its owner, then Alfie must be priceless — or have a price beyond measure even for a Russian oligarch to find.

Performing dogs may well have a place in our material world but “Alfie,” despite not qualifying as a companion to help a hearing-impaired owner, has a natural ability to befriend everyone from youngsters at a nursery to nonagenarians at a nursing home and everyone in between, as well as many of his own kind.

As unofficial greeter to visitors at Wantage Red Cross Tuesday coffee morning, at its Balding Hall Headquarters in Wallingford Street, or on Tuesday and Friday visits to St Katharine’s House, he enlivens everyone as soon as he appears. And, in return, he enjoys the welcome and fuss he receives.

Tricks must have a limited appeal in terms of clientele, but the ability to bring happiness and joy to so many, merely by being there is absolutely priceless and one I wish I had.

I know my place and my worth when, if I arrive without him, the first question is “Where’s little Alfie? He’s alright isn’t he?”

Alfie’s qualities would not bow-wow BGT judges or voters and I am certain that out in the wide world there are many others like him who add immensely to the quality of life of everyone they meet by doing what comes naturally.

There must be a moral here for mere humans or an old dog like me. Jack Loftin Charlton Village Road Wantage