The Editor, Sir:

Melville Cooke once more (inevitably) caught my eye with his article in yesterday's Gleaner - with a piece called 'What a Puppy Show'. As before, he has come down rather hard on the middle/ upper class ladies and their reasons for owning small pedigree dogs and displaying themselves and their dogs in public.

Could his feelings of unease and scornful dislike actually be a repressed desire to be cuddled and mothered just like these annoying little pooches? Could he long for a soft velvet cushion, a kiss on the nose, a "heyyo, wittle Melly boy" in his eager ears?

I am a middle class "whiting" who just turned 58 and was surprised when my daughter presented me with one of these yapping, mewling, piddling little 'Sheet Zoos'. I was quite horrified, as I have always been inclined towards large, aggressive dogs with a Point. However, after a few weeks of getting to know this strange little creature, I have lost my heart totally to him, and, why, Melly, if I don't greet him every morning with cuddly soft little words and happily clean up his darling little sheet poo, darned if I don't feel guilty all day!

Don't knock 'em till you've tried 'em. And please, Melville and all those reading this - come to the JSPCA Fashion Show on Novem-ber 11. It's going to be all the rage!

I am, etc.,

L. DUPERROUZEL

33 Waterloo Mews

Kingston 10