There were 13 little clumsy and spotted puppies in the litter Joel Bilney’s purebred Dalmatian, Lexi, came from.
Nobody could tell one spattering of spots from another, so the breeders had them all dressed in different-coloured collars to identify them.
But Mr Bilney knew which one his puppy was without looking at the rainbow of neckwear among the wriggling bunch.
How?
Because she kept coming back to his feet for a little chew over and again.
He didn’t choose the dog, it would seem; the dog chose him.
Eleven months later, Lexi still likes to chew, but thankfully it’s no longer Mr Bilney’s feet, with more of a taste for her chew toys these days, which don’t last particularly long in her possession.
That is always for one of two reasons.
One, because she’s a champion chewer who makes short work of them, or two, because her little housemate miniature dachshund claims them for himself.
Lexi is still young, so she’s playful and energetic, and she has a friendly personality, which bodes well for her living arrangements.
You couldn’t be a grumpy dog when you share your space with another dog, who is still not entirely through puppyhood either, two cats and two turtles, I guess. And that’s just the animals.
There are also four adults and one toddler in the house to sneak a quick tail-grab here and there.
Mr Bilney had a few reasons he wanted a Dalmatian, including that he prefers bigger dogs to little ones, loves the look of the breed and also that his nephew Hudson was a fan of Hairy Maclary, which they read and watched together, and his favourite was Bottomley Potts (all covered in spots).
He says a house is not a home without a pet, and spends much of his spare time when he’s not working hanging out with his four-legged best friend.
Mr Bilney takes Lexi for walks when he can, but the colder weather and her recent speying has set them back a little in their shared exercise journey.
In the meantime, he spends time playing tug-o-war with her and practising basic training, such as sitting, staying and fetching.
Although, Mr Bilney said sitting still wasn’t her strong point, especially if he ever let her on his bed.
“She won’t sit still; she rolls all over the place and kicks me with her sharp nails,” he said.
For now, she happily sleeps in her crate with a horse blanket that she loves burrowing into.
The affectionate spotted pooch, while regal-looking, in perfect health and with good posture and lovely teeth, will never be able to run the boundary of a competition ring because of her two starkly different-coloured eyes, which apparently makes the breed unsuitable for showing.
One is blue and one is brown, but Mr Bilney said that was one of the quirks that made her uniquely Lexi.
And he wouldn’t have her any other way.