El Guapo, or Herbie as he is now known, is a pretty lucky dog. I am thinking that there are not many blind and deaf dogs, with wobbly legs that were one week on death row, and the next in a house where he has been showered with luxuries, including his very own companion. This is Princess Piccalilli and she is Herbie’s eyes and ears. Admittedly, they haven’t completely adapted to their new roles yet, however I am sure over time Herbie will regard her less as an annoying pest and more of a helpful companion. They both wear bells, although that is a bit pointless as I don’t think Herbie could hear it. Although he can hear some things, we’re still learning what his hearing range is. Princess Piccalilli is without special needs, and is about 4 months old. She represents a new generation in the Pullen household. She came from a vet and we think she spent time at the vet’s surgery meeting all sorts of people and animals, as nothing seems to worry her – big dogs, small dogs, blind, deaf and wobbly dogs, blind cats etc, she takes it all in her stride! They sleep together in the same puppy crate, and I think this is nice for both of them.
Why Princess Piccalilli? Her original name was Cincienta, which means Cinderella. While I quite like that, I knew we’d end up shortening it to Cindy, which I don’t like. I like Tinkerbelle’s name as it gets shortened to Tinks which is good as she is a little tinker. So we were trying to think of a name that was similar. Piccalilli is perfect as she is, of course, a little pickle!
And why Herbie? Well, because he looks like a Herbie. And after the vet nearly expired in an hysterical heap after we told him El Guapo (the handsome one), we decided that it would Herbie’s feelings if every time he was introduced the other person started guffawing. So, Herbie it is!