use strict;

my $g_var = 1_000;

sub special_dec {
    my $choice = shift;
    if  ($choice)
    {
        --$g_var;
    }
}

my $thing = 'dog';

if ( $thing eq 'cat')
{
    my $cntr = 0;
    while (++$cntr < 11) {
         last if (special_dec(900==900));
    }
}
elsif ($thing eq 'dog')
{
    my $cntr = 0;
    while (++$cntr < 11) {
         last if (special_dec(900==900));
    }

}
print $g_var;
1;
# of course prints 999