"Why dogs, if you don't mind the question?" Why not cats or rodents or lizards? "My mother insisted we keep some of the horses but I was never allowed within twenty feet of the oat munching monstrosities."

Truthfully, Dorena would like having a snake of she were ever in a place where that wouldn't be outside her price range.

"I'm glad you think so." Dorena couldn't help but smile at that. "Sometimes I think about taking stuff down from when I was first starting but I like to think it gives people a better appreciation for how my talents have matured." Possibly a double entendre but not one Dorena was ashamed of.