(Image credit - Marc Mallory)
 
"Dinky"

(aka - Dink)

In 1979 we were petless and of a mind to change that. Our requirements were simple:
•   Size - Small enough to not require separate shelter or transport.
•   Pedigree - not important, personality and behavior were much more important.
•   Maintenance - Minimal upkeep beyond food and water. No residue, hair etc.
(Two out of three is pretty good.)
We scanned "old-fashioned" classified ads for leads. I made calls for details before arranging interviews. It seemed likely that the first candidate would be coming to live with us.
So we were off to check out a mixed-breed pup with some Poodle heritage. Pretty sure if the seller was not a breeder. And it's likely that a car, up on blocks, in the front yard was the "kennel."
To my untrained eye, the pup seemed to be Heinz 57, with noticeable Terrier influence. The poodle yarn was , no doubt, a marketing ploy to drive up the asking price. Didn't matter, 75 bcks changed hands and we had a dog!
She was small, obviously a dinky dog. Dink was cute, sweet, and smiled a lot. We had a fenced backyard which Dink explored several times a day. One side of the backyard fence was adjacent to, and parallel with, a city sidewalk. Dink happily, tail-wagging, escorted the walker back and forth. Always friendly, she never barked at the passersby.
Dink was a city girl and stayed close, without urging , on our many woodland outings. Dink assumed the role of mentor/role model when Bubba joined the family. But that's another reflection.
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