Softie at heart

By Jacklyn Yeong Mr Winston is a five-year-old shih-tzu and Cavalier King Charles mix with his paws always grounded and on guard. “He thinks he’s a guard dog,” said his owner and “mum”, Margaret. “He is always on high alert of other dogs around him and tends to bark at them.” Even to other animals broadcast on television - from cows to horses, Mr Winston non-discriminately barks at them as well. Although Margaret thought that Mr Winston was just a “softie in disguise” of his frown, she said she had two favourite soft toys at home and could not sleep without having one of them by his side. “He loves playing with his toy duck and fox,” Margaret said. “When it comes to his bedtime, he picks one between both toys and brings it to his bed.” According to Margaret, he also surprisingly gets along with his “cousin” - a kewpie mixed named Milly, and gets very excited when he goes over to her place for a sleepover. Margaret does not mind bringing him along for the visit as he is very calm in the car and follows her instructions very well. One of Margaret’s favourite traits about Mr Winston is that he is not very food-driven. He doesn’t go crazy and gobble up all of his kibble in one go. However, he never complains when he’s presented with a good treat!