For me, being cute is a way of life

HI, my name is Verity (Miss Vers) for short. I am a Shih Tzu and I am two years old. I came all the way from Newcastle West to my forever home.

I very nearly didn’t make it to here because when my mam and dad came down to check me out, mam said I was too small. I literally could fit into her hand back then, but thank God dad said bring her on, so from the minute they put me in the car I decided who was going to be the boss.

I have a brother called Oscar and a sister called Cleo, and we all get along well most of the time, except when their backs are turned and I try to eat their dinners. My favourite place is sitting on the couch between mam and dad — Oscar and Cleo don’t get a look-in.

I have a huge garden and I like nothing more than to run around with Oscar and Cleo and chase the rabbits and birds or anything else that comes on to my patch. When I was smaller, I loved to chew everything: the timber decking in the garden, mam’s good Ugg slippers and even the coffee table, but I think I have grown out of that now, but not before I ruined my teeth. Mam never got cross with me because all I had to do was put my little head to one side and look up at her with my big brown eyes — worked every time!

Dad takes me to be groomed regularly along with Oscar and Cleo. One time I went on my own and when dad came back to collect me, the groomer told him not to bring me back on my own ever again, but make sure I had my brother and sister with me. To this day, I can’t understand why. I put my head to one side and looked up at her with my big brown eyes, but somehow it didn’t work. I must be losing my touch!

One of my favourite snacks, when I am allowed, is crisps. The minute mam goes to the crisp drawer, I am licking my lips. I am only allowed two but boy do they taste delicious. I wear a pet collar so I can’t run out on to the road but as strong as the collar is, I somehow managed to break it. Dad had to send it off to see if it could be fixed — unfortunately not, just cost him big bucks for another.

But look, I am Miss Vers and they love me so much…

If you would like your pet featured in this column please send a story of 440 words and a photograph to snews@independent.ie clearly labelled MY PET