Our neighbors have a dog, so we don't have to.  (With my allergies, that's a good thing.)

My teenage daughter loves dogs. I'm guessing that when she grows up and moves out, I'll never be able to visit her without doubling up on the inhalers.  Currently she has to borrow someone else's pets to get her puppy fix.

It's always convenient that our neighbors have a cute little dog who loves my daughter.  When they plan a long day trip, they ask if "Aunt Joanna" will be home to take care of the dog for the day.  That's because she doesn't just toss him into the backyard a few times and consider her work done.  She'll stay with him for a while each time she stops by, letting him play in the backyard if the weather is good, and taking him for a nice long walk even when she can't find the leash.

Our neighbors' dog is named Fluffy, which is a cute name for a cute dog, but an odd name for a male dog.  That's what happens when you let an 8-year-old girl name your dog.   It's a little incongruous to see Fluffy trotting along beside the dad in the family, who likes being outdoors where he can camp, hunt, and fish.  You'd expect him to have a dog more suited to those activities--like a lab, pointer, or German Shepherd--not a little white dog named Fluffy.

It doesn't really matter what his name is, though; he's cute and friendly.  He likes to play in my yard, considering it an extension of his own yard.  And we all have a soft spot for our little white furry friend.

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