There's no doubt the highlight of my trip to Oman was spending time with dad's 7-month old pooch. He's grown quite a bit since dad brought him home three months ago. I grew very attached to him and it took me at least a week to get over him after flying back to London. Even though dad, sis and I loved dogs, mum never let us keep one. She used to say we'd all go off to work/school, leaving her to look after the dog. Then years later our best friends left their Japanese spitz with us for one weekend. I remember mum telling me that looking after the dog wasn't such a terrible experience. She was never fond of dogs but I'm sure she would've grown to love Nero. He's such an adorable puppy, even if he refused to obey me most of the time! But like dogs in general, he never failed to follow my every movement. That's one thing everybody loves about dogs, loyalty. Wish I'd smuggled Nero out with me!
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6800569461_69db7e4f80_z.jpg)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6830688003_7b560acd95_z.jpg)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6800569253_454a6f69eb_z.jpg)
Dad commissioned two dog houses for Nero, one made out of concrete in the back garden, and this one fashioned out of a desk I used for many years. It was my idea to name it Nero's Crib, which my sister dutifully stenciled onto it.
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6830688553_03028439fa_z.jpg)
This gives you an idea of how big Nero actually is right now. The scratches on the glass are also his handiwork paw-work.