YOUR PETS ‘Bovril and Oxo are lazy dogs’

Pets’ names: Bovril and Oxo. Ages: Bovril, four and a half, Oxo, one. Breed: Miniature dachshunds. Owner: Dave Hilling, 55, a graphic designer, from Whitchurch, Cardiff. Owner’s story: “I bought Bovril from a breeder in Carmarthen when he was eight weeks old, and Oxo was bought from a breeder in Haverfordwest when she was eight weeks old. They’re both Welsh born and bred.

“Bovril stripped the wallpaper off our hallway when he was a puppy and destroyed his expensive first basket.

“He always ‘steals’ wine from our glasses if left unattended, barks at other dogs, barks at birds and chases our cat.

“Oxo barks at everything and has a passion for destroying socks and underwear.

“They love sleeping – they are very lazy dogs and their favourite place is our bed.

“Oxo absolutely loves the beach and will run all day if she had her chance – we’re sure there’s a bit of whippet in her.

“Toys never last more than a few minutes, except Kong tennis balls, but even those are at risk of losing their squeakers. They also both love to chew on antlers.

“They will both literally eat anything but Bovril is on a strict no-fat diet as he almost died when he was a pup with pancreatitis.

“Bovril went through a phase of barking at our cat whilst she was eating and then finishing off her food when she ran away.

“So the cat, called Marmite, now eats her food high up off the ground.

“Oxo loves playing, annoying the cat, and the cat joins in, if it ever gets too rough ‘police dog’ Bovril is there like a shot to sort it all out, usually by chasing the cat away.

“Bovril gets on very well with my mate’s two Jack Russells, Eddie and Elsie.

“Bovril is totally laid back and Oxo acts like she’s on ‘something’ but both have fantastic temperaments – especially towards people they know.

“All they want to do is snuggle up with us in the evening. I don’t think they’d ever bite anybody – they are more likely to lick you to death.

“They are like substitute children I suppose. They are absolutely fantastic company and it doesn’t matter how bad our day is, they are always over the moon to see us.”