Thanks to those people who have contacted me after my recent piece about housing.

In order to make progress it requires all areas of government working together and I am optimistic that this will be the case given the importance attached to the subject prior to the General Election.

One point raised with me was in relation to the planning process, elements of which have long been the subject of some contention.

I do hope the new administration will undertake a review to ensure the process is transparent and provides for democratic input but does not drag on endlessly. Early engagement with planners is an important element in this regard.

Another area which I tried to improve process was in relation to the registration of buildings of importance.

For a long period there was no official charged with this specific responsibility.

Unfortunately, it appeared to be a reactive process rather than properly forward planned.

There are a number of examples where a developer has proposed to carry out a scheme only to be informed that things will be put on hold pending potential registration.

This is an important matter in relation to our built heritage of value and it must be preferable for more clarity for all parties in advance of potential redevelopment.

I have just had another birthday. They seem to come around more quickly these days!

I know it’s a cliche but it certainly feels that when I was a boy that the long summer holidays used to go on forever. I would go out early in the morning with friends on our bikes, or to one of the then-undeveloped sites where we would make dens, or down the beach for all day fun.

An important feature of my young years was our family dog, having no brothers or sisters perhaps made this relationship even more important.

As a boy I had a Lakeland terrier who was my constant companion.

I also showed him at local dog shows and when we got a new Lakeland terrier when the time came did they same.

The shows were at the Villa Marina, among other venues.

Around the corner from where I lived was a man who had a wire-haired fox terrier called Rocket.

There was also a man from either Andreas or Bride, Mr TE Kaighin, who bred and showed wire-haired fox terriers and I always admired the look of them.

For those of a certain age (similar to mine!) you may remember that this type of dogs featured in toy form on wheels which could be pushed around which probably contributed to my interest in the breed.

A couple of years ago our last dog, a poodle called Jasper, went over the rainbow bridge.

He was 16 and without question he was the best dog I ever had from a number of perspectives.

Loyal, friendly, intelligent we spent many hours on long walks around our lovely island.

There were big questions in my mind given how good he was as to whether we would in time get another dog as they have been so important all my life.

In the time that followed Sarah increasingly allowed me to spend lots of time with her jack russell terrier Roxy.

Again we travelled all around the island and she was a loyal and faithful companion.

It came as a great shock therefore in May last year that she became ill and within seven days she was no longer with us.

I carried on doing my walks often with mixed emotions as I remembered happy times in the company of them both but they weren’t the same. I think it’s fair to say the thought of introducing a new dog into our lives didn’t feature highly but there was an emptiness.

Our younger daughter Julie had for a long time been thinking about getting a pup.

She eventually made up her mind and as she showed us images with his mum the inevitable happened and I decided I needed to have a pup to share my life and adventures.

Knowing it was likely to be my last one caused me to think long and hard. Would I remain in good health long enough to give it the best life?

What breed would be best?

I had previously had the odd conversation with Raymond Cox, who had been our family vet.

Prior to him I remember with fondness Gwynn Davies and further back Mr and Mrs Stubbs.

Ray is an advocate for Welsh terriers, another breed I really like which made the decision even more complicated as my mind drifted back to the nostalgia of the wire haired fox terriers from long ago.

I did lots of research about both breeds and by the narrowest of margins decided on a fox terrier.

On July 1 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, a breed specialist who only produces one litter each year had three pups, two girls and a boy.

We entered into on line discussion about the breed and his pups in particular.

Through the advances in modern technology I was able to see videos of the pups and how they were growing at regular intervals. I asked lots of questions, indeed I must have been something of a pain but it is such an important decision that he was very patient with my enquiries.

I couldn’t make my mind up whether to have a boy or a girl and this led to more discussion.

Eventually after losing a bit of sleep I ’compromised’ and decided to have one of each to be companions for each other and they would be named Rosie and Ted. The breeder welcomed the fact that I had previous experience of terriers albeit a long time ago!

On September 2, the last SeaCat sailing to Belfast I travelled to pick up my two new family members.

It is 18 years approximately since there was last a puppy in our house.

You forget the number of issues involved and the pleasure a dog brings over the years outweighs the challenges in raising a pup in the first year or so.

Suffice to say when teething has concluded my friend who is a joiner will be required in the utility room.

They both enjoy their food but are best eating separately and the same applies with bones.

Ted has one of the bowls that requires him to slow down rather than virtually inhaling his food! They both walk well although Rosie pulls a bit trying to discover the next exciting experience.

They are walking for just over five minutes per month of their age daily at present.

She is also very enthusiastic about meeting other dogs or humans which can be a bit off putting for those who don’t know her, but they are both very good and friendly.

They are both a little nervous about traffic but much better as time goes on.

Both have experienced travel sickness in the car but fingers crossed things seem to be a little better with time but the issue still exists I think in part due to the different environment so they are much better if sat in the passenger compartment next to me where I can comfort them.

Sarah also got a Parson Russell terrier so the three boys, Rasmus, Fynlo and Ted get on well generally but are getting to the testosterone producing stage around Rosie in particular and as none will be getting bred are visiting the vet. Rosie will have her first season and then she will do so as well.

Ted has just had his first haircut and Rosie is going this week.

We have never had pet insurance before but will see how that works out for them.

They have all become loved family members in a short time.

On a specialist wire haired fox terrier Facebook group when I shared images of Rosie and Ted the comments were to the effect of ’lovely but you are brave taking on two!’

I have to admit it has been a real challenge at times but they are settling down and offer unconditional love.

See today’s Isle of Man Examiner to read David’s latest column.