When did the author decide to have an otter as a pet? How did he get an otter?

Answer – Maxwell had a pet dog but his dog died. His life without a pet felt lonely. In 1956, he went to Southern Iraq. He had decided by them that he would keep an otter as a pet instead of a dog. His home in Scotland had much water around it. So, it would be suitable for an otter. The author shared this idea with a friend and he supported that idea. His friend recommended that he should take an otter from Tigris marshes. He said that otters were in plenty at that place. One day, the author found two Arabs in his room with a sack. In the sack there was an otter. They said that it was for him. Maxwell became deeply attached to the otter, describing an enduring fascination with otters.