Wow, this was all very entertaining. Russian court: not quite the Rococo Dallas, but doing its best to keep up up with the neighbors. And thank you for asking those questions, cahn, because after my first read-through, I was...less confused than you but still rather confused!

Whenever I fell in love with a woman, I always gave her such a dog as a gift. Through the animals I always learned if anyone was more favoured than I was. This rule never fails. (...)

As a dog-lover, I have to say I looove this.

(Fritz's dogs: A woman? What is this creature? *bark bark* Oh, hi, Fredersdorf! Belly rubs?)