Piero is fantastic. He is small, cute, fluffy and makes me laugh.

He will be a lovely dog, of that I am sure.

It will take time, of course. He needs training by both me and Dino but already he is looking to Dino to determine how things should be. I am prepared and I am not concerned by the pooping anywhere but the paper – it takes time for him to understand what’s OK and what’s not.

I’m not too worried about the barking when excited or when he wants to play. Although one doesn’t want to encourage it, of course. Barking is not good. I have spoken to Rita, our door lady, to ask that, should the other residents complain, she should tell me.

He is sweet and wants to be with you but seems a little more independent than Dino – although it’s far too early to tell, yet.

He is everything a puppy should be and will grow into a stupendous Bearded Collie.

And I do love him, very much.

But ………

He is not Dino.

I have always said that Dino was going to be the best dog I’ve ever had. And Dino HAS been the best dog I’ve ever had. I don’t know why, it was just the way it was from the moment I chose him.

I don’t have the same feeling for Piero. I mean, I love him and everything – but, somehow, there isn’t the same connection as there was with Dino.

Perhaps, of course, it will change? Or perhaps this is how parents feel? Perhaps, after all, their favourite is a real thing and in spite of how they WANT to feel, they really do favour one over the rest?

But it makes me feel a little guilty.

I mean, I loved Rufus (and Ben and Sam and Spotty Dog and the rest) very much – but Dino was, really, THE ONE and I was a bit worried that, with Piero, Dino would lose ‘his place’. Instead, Dino retains his place and that, in some way, makes me feel bad.

I shall, of course, like any good parent, try to ensure they both get treated the same and feel the same love from me, but ……

I hope you understand what I mean.