The Cassandra Complex

Ever since my boyfriend M. moved in with me in March, he's been asking if we could get a puppy. I already have two pets, a little old lady cat named Melody (aka Smelly or Melly), and a Keeshond dog named Tasha (aka Pie, Stink, or Stinky Head) - that's her, pictured. I thought that two were enough; I said no more pets till Melody shuffled off this mortal coil.

Just recently I changed my mind. I think that this is because two very good friends have just had a baby, and I suddenly have the urge for something small and cute in the house. And puppies have the advantage of being able to be locked outside when they are annoying. I won't even get sent to jail for it!

So we've started looking at dog breeds; M. really wants a Schipperke. He had a half breed Skippy (as he calls them) a few years ago and loves them to death. For myself, I had some reservations at first, mostly revolving around the fact that the breed standard comes with a docked tail, and I like my doggies to be able to waggle at me when they are happy. But apparently the breed standard has just been changed; no more mutilation of helpless puppies. So that's a plus.

I've been doing some research on the breed, and it sounds like one would fit in fine into our house. They apparently have strong personalities, which is a must - a timid dog would have a nervous breakdown inside five minutes at our place! Most of the listed negatives of the breed are the same as for the Keeshonden, and I already know I can deal with one of those.

The other advantage of us getting a Schipperke is that it will go with the Keeshond in the sense that I already have one dog that, when I get asked what breed she is and answer, the response is always (always!) "A what?!" If we get a Schipperke then that will go quite nicely.

Both dog breeds were bred to guard barges and river boats, one in Holland and the other in Belgium. I wonder if I have a subconscious urge to pilot some sort of waterborne vessel and am equipping myself with pets appropriately? Hmm.

Anyway, we're thinking of getting one around Christmas, when I have lots of time off work. The only problem I can forsee is that my sister, who works at the RSPCA, may well kill me if she finds out I got a dog anywhere else... I am hoping that we can fend her off with the "whattacutewiddlepuppy!" reaction.

Oh, and I suppose we'll have to think of a new odour-related nickname for the poor wee beastie.