277 Genetic Disease (1/2)

Chapter 277: Genetic Disease

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

From Meng Li’s narrative, Zhang Zian understood that although Meng Li had never raised a Cocker Spaniel before, he had at least been in close contact with one for a long period of time. Meng Li was familiar with Cocker Spaniels’ habits, he had affection towards them, and he wasn’t making his decision to raise one because he wanted to appear different than other pet owners.

Zhang Zian opened the display case and held up the only Cocker Spaniel in his shop.

It was an American Cocker Spaniel in three colors—black, white and brown. It had distinguished features. Parts of its forehead and cheeks were in brown, while its nose, mouth, head, neck, and chest were in white, and the rest of the parts of its body were black. It was covered with long fur, and its two big, long ears were drooping and covering the sides of its head. If a puppy of Cocker Spaniel was pure brown, it would be easily mistaken for a Labrador puppy, but this tri-color Cocker Spaniel was very unique. It was very lively and energetic. As soon as it left the display case, it was struggling, trying to jump out from Zhang Zian's arms.

At first, Zhang Zian worried that Meng Li was looking to buy an English Cocker Spaniel. But from his narrative, he knew that the host family in England was raising an American Cocker Spaniel because the fur of an English Cocker Spaniel was shorter and would not be hooked by thorns or grass frequently.

Zhang Zian put the Cocker Spaniel on the top of the display case and pressed it gently so that it wouldn't run away so that Meng Li could observe it conveniently.

”You are looking for an American Cocker Spaniel like this one, right?” he tried to confirm with Meng Li.

”Yes, that's the one I’ve been looking for. How much is it?” Meng Li replied affirmatively and reached into his pocket for his wallet.

Zhang Zian stopped him, ”Wait a minute. There are some things I must tell you in advance—do you know why this kind of dog is rarely seen in China?”

Meng Li replied quickly, ”Because it needs large amounts of exercise and needs company—but it's okay, I will try my best to keep it company. And when I'm busy, I can have the graduates I am tutoring walk it for me.”

Zhang Zian thought to himself, those students didn't go to graduate school to walk dogs for you.

He felt lucky that he didn't agree to Professor Wei Kang’s request. If Professor Wei Kang were his tutor, would he also end up picking up dog sh*t every day?

”What you're saying is just a minor reason. It’s true that Cocker Spaniels need large amount of exercise, but so do other breeds of dogs.” Zhang Zian corrected him and lifted one side of the dog's ear and said to Meng Li, ”Come over to smell it.”

Meng Li hesitated for a moment. He bent down and approached the dog to sniff at its ear.

”Is there some kind of smell?” he stood straight and said uncertainly.

”Yes.” Zhang Zian put down its ear, ”Because its ears are always drooping, its cochleae are very damp and are susceptible to strange smells and mites. A special ear cleaning liquid is needed for cleansing and disinfecting its ears oftentimes—which means you have to do it once every two days or once every day. Many people are dissuaded from raising such dogs for this reason alone. Had you never cleaned ears for Julie when you were in England?”

Meng Li frowned and reflected, ”I’ve seen people cleanse its ears several times, but I didn't know they need to be cleaned every day.”

Meng Li explained further, ”I usually just took Julie for walks in the morning and in the evening. When it came to shower or for trimming fur, the host family was responsible for those... But don't worry, I can have my graduates take such tasks, which can be added to their credits.”