The recent thread regarding the heroic dogs saving the day during the recent breakin got me thinking.

My parents are retired and they have had a couple of breakins, the last one whilst they were in the house.

I keep telling them this wouldn't happen if they has a small dog to raise the alarm.

I really think I should take matters into my own hands and get them a dog when I am back there in December. (A small or medium one, around a year old, from a local shelter).

What do you think???

I think this qualifies as an exception to the rule of "Never give a pet as a gift"