Going Platinum

I love dogs - it's just their owners that I sometimes have a problem with.

Out walking recently, I saw a real beauty of a dog - tall, curly-coated, alert, bright-eyed and friendly. He looked like a retriever, except that instead of the usual shade of gold he was a color that I'd never seen before - a most un-doglike sparkling shade of silver.

I patted him, and got my fingers well-licked in return. As the owner approached, I smiled and said, "What a lovely dog you have - I've never seen one quite like this before. What... exactly... is he?"

The smile froze on my lips as she replied, "He's a platinum retriever - they're so very in this year."

IN? She has the companionship of a beautiful, intelligent, affectionate, good-natured, loyal living creature, and she sees him as a fashion accessory?

I repeat - I love dogs. It's just their owners that I sometimes have a problem with.