I went to market and bought...

...A DOG!

The cutest little bundle of cream and brown,  

button-y-bright-eyed wagginess 

you ever laid eyes on!

His name is Harold, 

named for the wonderful Harold Fry 

in this memorable book which I just finished...

(If you haven't read it, I would recommend you do, most highly.  

But be prepared to weep!

Even at inopportune moments when you are not even reading the book, but out in public and remembering a little bit of it.

'Mascara in the eye!' you will have to say to excuse yourself.

It will make you laugh too, though.

Best not do that out in public with no visible explanation.  People don't know what to do with people who chuckle away to themselves in the aisles of Sainsbury's...)

Back to my dog, though!

He's only small and I don't think his coat is enough to set off Mr U-t-B's allergies, when he comes back from his little jaunt through France.  (He's on a little break with his brother-in-law and sister.)

He's not a yappy sort of dog either, so I think his arrival in the household is unlikely to cause ructions.

In fact, Harold seems perfectly content to just sit

 (in his own very upright way) 

 and be...

All say AHHHH!

PS I will find out the name of the very talented lady who needlefelts these adorable canines - I bought him as the packing up was being done and all her leaflets had been packed away!