Chapter 84: Same Dog as the British Queen
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
From birth to leaving the breeding base, then going home with Snowy and taken to the beach, Snowy’s Persian cat had never had a bath. Although Zhang Zian quickly wiped her down and also brushed her hair before, it was nothing compared to taking a full bath.
After the bath, the hair on her whole body was as white and fluffy as cotton. Her royal and elegant characteristics were completely presented in front of everyone.
Lea said, "She is so pretty. I want a Persian cat now."
Zhang Zian was happy, but he said seriously, "Persian cats are expensive. Their long hair is also difficult to clean. Someone has to leave ample time to clean the cat. Also, the best thing is to take them to a pet grooming store every now and then. In other words, keeping a Persian is costlier than raising other cats. I recommend evaluating your time and financial ability before making the decision."
Lea waved her hands immediately, "I wasn’t serious. I am not a persistent person. If I was persistent, I would’ve successfully lost weight by now. An easy cat is a better option for me."
Zhang Zian replied, "shorthair cats are easier to take care of compared to long-haired ones."
"Hey, what kind of cat do you guys think that girl has?" Black Jack suddenly asked a question.
Xiao Yan already left in her Mercedes-Benz; however, many people were very curious about her. More than one person was actually thinking the same question. Only Black Jack asked directly.
Xiao Niu rubbed his head. "Well, she was driving a Mercedes-Benz S500. She’s got money! Her cat has to be expensive. Mr. Manager, what kind of cat is expensive?" Apparently his question was for Zhang Zian.
Zhang Zian didn’t think there was a connection between driving a Mercedes-Benz S500 and raising a cat. However, he still replied, "Among normal cats, Persian, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, and Turkish Van are the more expensive breeds."
Gu Tianle had a different opinion, "I think it will be a more ferocious breed, such as a Jaguarundi cat or Caracal…"
People already started discussing. Those were more monstrous than catlike. Who would raise a pet like that in the city?
Gu Tianle insisted on his opinion. He heard from a friend that a friend’s friend was a rural, rich fellow. He had a mixed-breed of a Caracal and a Chinese cat, which was extremely ferocious. It was fed live chickens every day.
However, when someone talked about a friend’s friend, most of the time it was a rumor. It was not reliable at all. People just laughed and didn’t really pay attention.
Xiao Niu bent down, looking around the display cabinets, and could not decide what to get, so he asked, "Mr. Manager, I want to get a dog for my parents. What is your recommendation?"
Lea reminded him, "Hey! Hey! are you crazy? The cats here know stunts. Why would you get a dog?"
Xiao Niu also felt sorry about it, but he explained, "I want to get my parents outside of the apartment more, so a dog is a much better fit. I have never seen someone walk a cat."
Zhang Zian agreed and suggested, "In these circumstances, a dog really sounds like a better choice. What floor is your home on?"
Xiao Niu said, "First floor. We switched to first floor when we bought this new apartment, considering that the ground floor is more convenient for my aging parents. Also, if there is an emergency, the first floor is a much easier place."
Zhang Zian said, "If so, a small or medium size dog would be suitable. The biggest dog I would recommend is a Border Collie. Anything bigger than that is not a good option because it would be out of your parents’ control if it was frightened. That could potentially be very dangerous to your parents and others."
Xiao Niu hesitated. "In fact, my parents did talk about what kind of dog to get when they saw other people’s dogs. They don’t like small dogs like Chihuahuas. They think it looks like a rat. They don’t like the look of a Shar Pei either. They felt that Shar Pei is even more wrinkly than them. Same thing with Schnauzer…"
Zhang Zian couldn’t say a word. This guy had excluded the most common small and middle-sized dogs. Remaining options were limited.
People always long for things they don’t have. For instance, the elderly always like young and active pets. That’s why grandparents always spoil their grandchildren. However, Schnauzer and Shar Pei are popular among young people.
"I understand what you mean." He thought for a second. "Your parents like dogs that look like a dog. They don’t like weird looking nor super miniature ones, correct?"
"Possibly," Xiao Niu nodded.
"A Welsh Corgi might be a good option," Zhang Zian said and took him to the display cabinet.
A young Welsh Corgi was laying quietly in the display cabinet, unlike the excited Samoya and Chihuahua, who were jumping up and down and could not stop barking. The little Welsh Corgi stood up when the two people came close and steadily stepped up. He sometimes dropped his head, smelled and growled.
Welsh Corgis have two characteristics: the short legs and the big ears. Its two ears and mouth form an equilateral triangle. Big ears don’t look good on human but they look exceptionally cute on dogs.
"A Welsh Corgi is easy to recognize. It can be easily distinguished from a normal Chinese dog. However, it is still a good and normal looking dog. Welsh Corgis are nice to people. The British Royal family is especially fond of them. Queen Elizabeth the second had a Welsh Corgi for over 80 years. She even had the dog with her in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony. If it wasn’t a nice dog, she would not take the dog." Zhang Zian effortlessly mentioned the royal characteristics of Welsh Corgi because older people liked it. They are proud to present their dog – they have the same kind of dog as the British Queen.
"Children love Welsh Corgis as well because they are short. They are more approaching than a larger sized dog," Zhang Zian finished with all the advantages and he continued with the disadvantages. "Welsh Corgi’s have a long back so they are not good with stairs. Your apartment is on first floor so it shouldn’t be a problem. Also, a Welsh Corgi sometimes barks…"
As if it was a response to Zhang Zian’s words, the Welsh Corgi softly growled. He was quite loud, considering its small size.
Zhang Zian laughed. "You can train him to stop barking. Training a dog is the most fun and fulfilling experience a dog owner could ever have; an untrained dog is no different than a plastic toy. Its hair is thick and it shreds in some seasons. Compared to a Husky, Alaskan Malamute or Samoya, a Welsh Corgi sheds less hair. Also, it is quite active. Your parents have to walk him every day. The longer, the better. If you can take all the disadvantages, a Welch Corgi is a good option."
Xiao Niu thought for a second. The so-called disadvantages were not a deal breaker, although no dog was perfect. It was great that Mr. Manager was being honest and straightforward. An automatic sweeping robot could take care of the losing hair problem. The barking should be fine because many neighbors had dogs, so they were used to it. In the future when he moved out, a barking dog could guard his parents. Being active was great because that was his purpose of buying a dog for his parents – to keep them busy and active.
Compared to its shortcomings, its advantages were more attractive to him. People like his parents liked to show off. Before retirement, they always showed off their job, wages, and networks. Now, they showed off their children and pets. That was also an important reason why Xiao Niu didn’t want to get them an inexpensive Chinese dog. He didn’t want the neighbors to laugh at his parents behind their back. His parents would be so proud to tell the neighbors that the dog was the same as the British Queen’s.
"Okay! That’s it!" Xiao Niu made a decision.
When he and Zhang Zian went back to the cashier desk, Xiao Yan came back.