My father was pretty harsh with the farm dogs. No Dog was allowed inside the house until my sisters convinced him that they needed a Chihuahua. He tolerated that dog (my sisters adored him) but it was a gift poodle that melted his heart. The little buggar thought he was a big dog but would sleep on the arm or headrest of my Dad's chair. It was actually quite weird.
By that time I was living on my own and he always said something about my dog (s) being in the house when he was at my place. To him there was no contradiction about his poodle. Amazing.
Hahaha. Well, isn't that typical of parents. I have relatives who always questioned pampering attitudes either towards children or animals, only to find themselves becoming pampering champions!
In his old age my father got the company of a cat, Chapulín. It was probably the most antipathetic cat we ever had, and yet...
A cat? My dad never mellowed out that much :) It was actually a miracle that he had the poodle in his house.
I had my Springer during that time and the Poodle would run right with him for hours. It was amazing!