When we brought KiKi to live with us we did have at least half an idea what to expect of her. Putting aside her behavioural issues in the wider world, it has been  pretty entertaining getting to know her individual traits. She turns out to be far more ‘vocal’ than Flash or Leica have ever been. We used to say that Flash ‘chatted’ a little. She would sometimes vocalise when she wanted a biscuit, where Leica would, and does still, paw at the cupboard door and shoot you a withering glance as if to suggest you were remarkably stupid in your failure to understand. KiKi leaves no room for doubt, treating us to a range of sounds which are at some times like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard in the discomfort they cause. In the past we had only heard and read of Dalmatians’ proclivity for stealing food, counter-surfing and bin-raiding. KiKi has demonstrated all of these skills since day one. The night we brought her home, tired from a long and anxious day, we opted to eat pizza rather than take the time to cook anything. Content that the two dogs were happy and at ease with each other, we ourselves ate in front of the TV while we left the dogs together asleep in the kitchen. A while later when I went to tidy away the uneaten slices I found the worktop empty. At first I assumed that Martha had put the leftovers in the fridge, but no. It turns out that KiKi is quite partial to pizza, pepperoni or spinach, so she had in fact cleared the lot.

Feeding two dogs side by side has never been an issue with our dogs, and KiKi very quickly learned how this process is meant to work in our house. Leica has always eaten from the left of the two bowls we put down, and since her first night with us, KiKi has recognised that the other is hers. While Leica silently follows whoever is preparing the food as they go from utility room to kitchen and back, KiKi waits, sitting and salivating on the mat, with the occasional howl of impatience thrown in.