Day Seventy-Five

A bit of trouble this morning with the squirrels again.  Nobody seems to realize the danger. Except me. Oh well.

I am going out for dinner. I have been invited to Emily and Cara's house. That is good.

They are having a dinner here for Craig's retirement. There will be a lot of people and Zita says I am a bit big and might get into trouble. I do not want to get into trouble.

Cara and Emily said I could come and visit them for dinner. That is nice.

Niamh and Zita got home so late last night I was asleep. They saw Sue at the wedding. She likes my blog she says. That is good.

Craig slept in this morning. He had a bath. He did not smell. I think Zita is wrong about baths.

Day Seventy-Four

Niamh and Zita have gone to the wedding party. They were all dressed up.

Zita needed to borrow a belt from Niamh or her pants would fall down.  It would be hard to walk then.  People have too many clothes.

I am here guarding the boys. Emmet is studying and Craig is reading. They are going to make their own dinner. They will run out of peanut butter.

I am barking at passing dogs to remind them I am on duty.

I lost my Red Ball. Craig had another New Red Ball. Just in case. It is very bouncy. I am a bit tired from chasing it.

I had my bath. I don't smell any different.

Emmet and Chris and Sava saw a movie. There were no dogs in it he said. Too bad I say.

Day Seventy-Three

We forgot my blog last night! It was too busy here. Craig had to take Niamh shopping for "unmentionables" and a nice black top. They had to go to Bayshore which is nearly Kingston Craig says. Craig did not embarrass Niamh at any of the stores.  He must have been on his best behaviour.

Then Zita and Niamh had to try on clothes and mores clothes and shoes. They are going to Niamh's dance teacher's wedding tomorrow. And a party after.

I am not invited even though I am a good dancer. Pharran the dog is going I bet. I will have to stay here to guard Emmet and Craig. I have never been to a wedding. Zita's had her wedding in a tent. I would have been invited to that wedding. She said she was not going to have another.

Emmet has an exam today all about the Punics and people with long names that all sound the same. And the mules of Mr. Marius. He must have liked mules, Emmet said he had thousands of them.

He explained all the names and places to Craig last night for a long time. I fell asleep and forgot to do my blog. I hope no one noticed.

Emmet is home. He is happy. They did not ask him about anything hard. Not even who lost their elephants.

 Now I have to have a bath because I am smelly. I don't think I am smelly. It is hard being a dog. 

Day Seventy-One

Lorraine came today. I like Lorraine. She has a dog at her house. She helps Zita keep the house clean.  She throws my Red Ball whenever I want. She is much better trained than Craig. That is good.

If the house is messy I can not find my Red Ball. Craig is neat. Niamh is messy. Zita says we can not even talk about Emmet's room. Lorraine does not look in Emmet room. Too many computers I say.

Craig had his hair cut. He will be cold.

Zita has to go out tonight. Emmet and Craig have to make dinner. Real dinner. No peanut butter at all. Ha.

I had my dinner before Zita left so I am safe.

Day Seventy

There are somethings about this retirement I don't like. We don't move the cars in the morning so I can't help.

Zita now waits until Niamh goes to school before we have our walk. I don't get my breakfast until we get home. I don't think that is fair.

We have too many computers here. Big computers, tiny computers, flat computers that they take into bed. Too much time with the computers and not enough time throwing my Red Ball I think. Computers can't lick your face in the morning. It is known

Emmet has to get a new one for the university. His is so slow the class is nearly over before it starts working. That is sad. Chis has a new computer.

Dogs don't need computers. We have noses and ears to tell us what we need to now.

Tonight is Niamh's dance on her toes night. Perhaps that is why she needs new socks.

Uncle Bill is coming home soon. He will have stories about elephants. Uncle Bill tells good stories. They all laugh when he is here. That is good.

Day Sixty-Nine

I know who has elephants. I was listening at dinner last night. A Hannibal has them. He needed them for the Punics. He did not like the Romans. They stole stuff from him. Emmet said that what the Romans did best, build roads and steal stuff.

Niamh is shopping with Zita to buy warm clothes. She needs more socks. Her socks don't match.

Had a perfect walk. I saw Jamie. I told him about the squirrels. He has problems with squirrels. Zoro cant help. Zorro hurt his leg again. That is sad. Jamie said if he is around when the squirrels come out he will help. That is good.

Craig said I will win the stubborn dog of 2012. I know that.  He thinks I will give up on training him. Ha.

Emmet has to read a poem that is a million pages long. He says it is just Roman lies about the Trojans who lost because of a horse. I knew you should avoid horses. They are too big. It is known.

Day Sixty-Eight

I don't like car racing. Craig stays in bed way too long. I lay there and cried. I brought in my Red Ball.  I tried to dig the covers off. He came out finally.  It is a lot of work training him.

I don't think he caught the cold. I think the cold caught him. He is in the den watching his football teams loose. That does not sound like fun.  People are very silly I think.

There are squirrels in the garden because Maggie is at the cottage.  Niamh has to go out and chase them away.

Emmet is studying to be a Roman by next Friday.  That sounds hard. Because he is a Roman he does not get elephants. That does not sound fair to me.

Zita is writing another essay. She does not get elephants either. Who gets the elephants then? University is very confusing.

The Black dog with the White tail walked by. Nobody but me knows he is possessed. I have tried to warn them.  I have told Ollie. Ollie is very big too. He would help.

He wont come in to my house. He knows I will protect my family. I would be very fierce. He is fat. Ha!

Day Sixty-Seven

Craig got presents for retiring. Peanut brittle,  shortbreads, chocolate cookies, a Paymobile knight and a Playmobil canon. Craig loves Playmobile.

He has Romans who fight with Emmet's Punics. That is the war with elephants. Not the war with smelly General Lee. That is the other war. Craig has lots of Playmobil.

I go two presents for trying to train Craig for his retirement. A big bag of special treats And a big Red thing to chew on. I bet it won't last. Maybe the garbage men will like it. I am hard on toys Zita says.

Craig caught a cold. Why would he catch a cold. He must have thought it was my Red Ball.

He was a bit sad yesterday. About the retirement. I could tell. That is why they all went out for dinner.

Throwing the Red Ball will make him happy. Playing with dogs always makes you happy. It is known.

Niamh is getting new dance shoes for her toes. I hope they are warm. She always forgets her socks.

Emmet loves his slippers. Me too. That is good.

Day Sixty-Six

Craig is home. He is not going back to work. Ever. He is retired.  He is still not trained. Oh well. I am patient.

They are going out for dinner tonight.

They will get wet. It is raining and there are lots of frogs. Frogs are too bouncy like my Red Ball.

 Frogs hide. And jump out.  I am going to stay home. Make sure no frogs get in my house. Zita hates frogs.

Emmet walked home from university. He got all wet and had to have a warm shower. He can not shake himself dry. I can.

When I stay home and guard the house I get a peanut butter treat. That is good.

Day Sixty-Five

Craig retires tomorrow. He is still not very well trained. He is very stubborn. Zita says I will have lots of time to train him when he is not doing things for her. That is good.

Emmet walked home with Jamie. He said they talked about the Civil War. They did not have elephants in that war. They had elephants in his other war. It is confusing.

Zita's grand dad was in the civil war. A different civil war she said. People have lots of wars.

I just hate squirrels because they would steal all my beans if I did not watch out. And the Black dog with the white tail. He is possessed. I can smell it.

He better stay away from my house. I know where Emmet keeps the Old Colonel's big sword.

Emmet and Zita are writing essays so I have to be quiet.

When Craig came home we played Throw the Red Ball. That was good. The new ball is too bouncy. I hit my nose on the wooden shed catching it.

Needs more chewing. I am good at chewing. And guarding my vegetables. It is known.

Day Sixty-Four

A nice day. I sat in the car this morning for a long while. It was good.

I got in trouble last night for chewing on my bed. Zita took it away. I did not listen very well. I don't know why.

Zita brought it back later. I ran around and jumped on and off the big bed and gave her kisses to say I was sorry. She said we were still friends. That is good. I will try harder.

I had dreams last night. I woke everyone up barking and yelping in my sleep. I even rolled off my bed and did not wake up.

Lions were chasing me. They had taken my Blue Bone and would not give it back. I will get uncle Bill's elephants to step on them next time.

Niamh is feeling fine. I am a good nurse.

Zita says we have way too many tomatoes. More potatoes and less tomatoes next year she said. That is good. Squirrels can't get the potatoes. Maybe they will starve.

Emmet says you can't makes chips with tomatoes. Emmet knows how to cook. Zita taught him and Niamh.

Craig can make peanut butter sandwiches. I like peanut butter too.

Day Sixty-Three

Rain. No one wants to go out with me in the rain. I stayed in and took care of sick Niamh. There were squirrels. Lots of squirrels. They knew I was busy taking care of Niamh. I watched them but I was so tired that I fell asleep sitting up with my head on the window. Only Niamh saw it. Not the squirrels. That is good.

Emmet is getting a new game to play with his friends. Niamh says getting this game is confusing. Lots of comings and goings about this game.

The store would not believe that Zita was Emmet's mother and would not give her his game. I should have been there. I could convince them. I know who is in my family and I would not lie. Dogs don't lie.

It is so rainy they took the car to the university. I like car rides but I did not go. I was needed here taking care of Niamh. Dogs want to be needed and I am. That is good.

When Craig got home he gave me some peanut butter for being such a good nurse. I like peanut butter.

When it is too rainy to throw my Red Ball we play tug with my new rope. I am very good at tug. I always win. Sometimes I let Craig win even when he says I am stubborn. Dogs are nice like that.

Day Sixty-Two

They are very stubborn in this house. It is known.

Niamh has a cold and had to come home from school. Too many baths I think.

Emmet, Sava and Chris are upstairs. They are watching a movie about castles and swords on the big TV. I bet they think they are studying.

Zita says this is Craig's last week at work. That is scarey. Only a little time to train him. He is not easy to train. I will have to try harder.

Zita is at school and has left me in charge. She told me so. Niamh is too sick to take care of herself so it is up to me. Lots of responsibilities being a dog.

Jamie and Zoro have to help write papers for little magazines they told me. Their eyes get sore looking at so many books and their noses get itchy from all the dust. They are very old books they said. It is hard being a dog.

I had a very good walk and helped move the cars. That is good.

They all had pizza from Tony's Isabella store. I had a lettuce treat. I really like lettuce. Dr. Smith says I should not have pizza. I like Dr. Smith.

Day Sixty-One

I had quiet day. Everyone is studying. Emmet was reading on the patio and a squirrel tried to sneak up on him. I threw myself at the window to warn him. He should bring me with him when he is outside.

When he is reading the squirrels will attack him. It is what squirrels do.

Craig came along on our walk. Pigeons got me in trouble and a squirrel. I think it was the one who was going to attack Emmet. But no one listened to me. It is hard being a dog. I did ignore the ducks. That was good. No treats though. Oh well.

Craig's chair fell into a big hole on the street. He was surprised. Squirrels dug the hole. That is what squirrels do. It is known.

Niamh had her bath. Craig said she did not smell scary at all. I knew that. People are silly sometimes. None of my family would ever smell scary. Emmet smells of chips sometimes.

I like to sneak up on my Blue Bone when it is not looking. That is fun.

Day Sixty

We washed my car today. I got to sit inside and guard everyone. I was very happy.

Craig would not play ball very well today. He is very stubborn. I had to bring the ball back every time or he would go in the house. He is very stubborn.

Niamh goes to her new ballet class today. She can't use her feet she says. Only her toes. Does not sound like dance to me. I think Emmet should look into this. He is not easily fooled. He knows all about the Punics. He says they were important.

Gramma is coming over for dinner. Sometimes she wears a coat that I don't like the smell of. I hope she does not bring it tonight. It is a bit scary. I don't know why.

It is cool again today. That is good.

I saw Jamie twice today. Jamie is a nice dog. He is very furry and has blue eyes. Jamie hates squirrels too. That is good.

Jamie does not like General Lee. I don't know why. I never met him. Maybe he smells scary too.

Zita says Niamh will have to have a shower or she will smell scary. That is wrong. Niamh never could smell scary. She is my Niamh.

They all have too many showers I think. Emmet especially. Maybe the university is very dirty. It must be because of all their digging for old things. Maybe they will find treasure. That would be good. I could guard it. We are good at guarding things. It is known.

Day Fifty-Nine

It is time for all the people to come and fill up their cars with the papers. It is hard to remember them all. Sometimes I bark at some of them. It is a bit a embarrassing.

Emmet is fighting the Punics at school. They have elephants. Emmet says elephants are way bigger than horses. We don't have any here. They live where lions live. They step on lions Emmet says. I think uncle Bill should have stayed here.

We took Jack to school this morning. His house is still broken. If they had a dog the squirrels would not have broken his house I bet.

It is Niamh's cousin Ciara's birthday. Happy birthday. Her dog is Tilly. I have never met her. She lives on an island where the everything is very very old. Older than Craig or uncle Bill. They have Castles that are very old. Niamh says they are cold.

My family has been there. I have not. Emmet says you have to fly there. I think I should stay here on the ground with my pillows and my Red Ball.

If I was not here the squirrels would steal all my toys. Even my new rope. Or break my house. That would be bad. I hate squirrels.

Zita is out giving people the paper. I cant go. Too many different places. I might get into trouble. That would be sad.

I am staying home guarding Emmet and Craig. That is important Zita says. I am a big help. It is known.

Day Fifty-Eight

Chris has a dog. His name is Seven. That a strange name.

It was paper day. The nice men brought all the newspapers. I did not bark once. They said I was a big help. I was.

I helped Zita move the car.

It is hot today so I was on the watch for lions.

Whenever I bark at strange things at night and Craig comes in to tell me not to bark he always says "They better be lions."

So far I have kept the lions away. I hope uncle Bill does not meet lions by accident. I am not there to warn him.

Zita and I are going for our walk. That is good.

Day Fifty-Seven

My plan won't work. I am too big to fit into Niamh's dance bag - and too heavy she said.

Worse, dogs can not go to Niamh's school even though I am a good dancer. I dance with Emmet. He says I am a good dancer. Not as good as Niamh. Emmet says nobody is as good as Niamh.

How am I going to learn how to read if if they wont let me in school? Maybe I will just go to the university where you just have to listen. And dig for old things.

Who is going to protect all her dance clothes if I cant be there? She has lots and lots of dance clothes.

Craig says way too much Niamh and not enough dance clothes. She laughs at him. Then they all laugh, so it is OK. It is good for people to laugh I think. It make me waggily.

I am being a very big help moving the cars in the morning Zita says. Then if I am quiet we go for short rides before my walk. That is good. I like sitting in the car.

We had to give my old Red Ball to the garbage men. I chewed it to bits. Maybe they can play with it. It is still bouncy. I got a new rope.

Emmet gets up in the middle of the night and makes pasta. I think watched Rome to much and he is on Rome time. I am on Go To Sleep Early Time.

Day Fifty-Six

Guarded the house today. Everyone was off at school. Except Craig who was at work because he is way too old for school.

I had a nice nap. I had a dream. I was catching leotard thieves. I caught them all. Fed them to the ducks. Made the ducks sick.

Dr. Smith called and said I was fine and do not need to take my pills any more. I wonder if I will still get the peanut butter?

Had a very nice walk. It is going to be fall. I like the fall. It is not so hot.

Craig heard from uncle Bill. He has not been eaten by Lions. Uncle Bill said if lions ate him they would die of alcohol poisoning. He and auntie Louise are having a good time. No squirrels there I bet.

Maybe I could poison the squirrels. That would be good. Emmet would help. It is known.

Day Fifty-Five

People are very slow. One of my Red Balls was under the sofa in the den.

I cried and Zita came in and let me outside. I forgot about it.

Then Craig went in to read and I sat there and pushed him with my nose. He went out threw my ball for my. Not very well though. His shoulder was on strike today he said.

Just before dinner I tried again. I cried and grabbed his shirt. I was desperate. Craig got Zita to look under the sofa and there was my old Red Ball.

It took so long. How do they get anything done.

If I was not here the squirrels would run everything.

Someone tried to steal Niamh's leotard. But it fell out of the thief's gym bag and a friend found it.

I am going to hide in her dance bag and if someone reaches in. Finger sushi.

I had a nice walk. No repeat of yesterday's squirrel incident. That is good.

Emmet has not joined the Army of the Rapahannok. He said it was just a joke. I don't know what jokes are. I think it was a lie.

Zita is not going to Rough it in the Bush. She is going to take a different class with newer books. They are all happy. That is good.

Day Fifty-Four

A busy day. Lots of people here. Sue's house is still broken. I bet the squirrels did it.

Zita and Emmet are in their rooms reading. Craig is still playing with the laptops so everyone will be happy at school.

I found my favourite rock to chew on. They always take it away if they see it. Craig says it will hurt my teeth. I keep it in my mouth and sneak it in. Hah...

It is much colder. I like the cold. It feels good on my paws.

Zita and all the girls have gone of to buy me a new nose collar. I had hoped they forgot. Maybe they will find me a treat.

There is going to be a party on the street. I don't get to go.

Too many hot BBQs Zita says. I think it is because people leave their food on the ground. I might eat something bad for me. It is hard not to eat hamburgers just lying there.

I will stay here and guard Emmet. Emmet does not go to street parties. Maybe he is right.

Day Fifty-Three

It rained and rained and rained. The ducks were all in the pond. There were no squirrels out. Maybe the ducks ate them. That would be good.

Everyone is doing home work. I am finding nice comfy places to sleep.

It thundered a lot last night. I crept up to Zita's pillow so she would not be afraid. She said she was not afraid at all. That is good.

Craig was fixing all the computers. Getting them ready for school he said.

Emmet is going to join the Army of the Rappahannock he says. Zita is Roughing it in the Bush. University is very confusing I think. Where is the digging in the garden they told me about?

Day Fifty-Two

We got up very early today. We went for a long walk. My nose collar is broken. Hah!

When we got home there was a squirrel on Maggie's roof. Ollie was waiting for it behind Zita 's car. Silly Squirrel.

Sue came over and borrowed our shower. Her house is broken.

Emmet goes to school every day. He does not have to stay all day. He comes home to read and play his music. His friends come over to visit when they are finished. They talk a lot.

Zita had friends over. On the patio. I was not invited because of my squirrel problem. Oh well.

Craig threw the ball for me. I come and sit in front of him when he is reading his book. I sit very still and stare at him. Then he gets my Red Ball and throws it for me. It makes us both happy.

Zita made scones for her friends. Craig gave me a little bit. It was good.

I played in the garden before dinner.

I did not go for my walk. Dr Smith's pills make me a bit tired. It is OK. I have two nice beds. Zita lets me use the pillows. It is good. I like pillows. Squirrels don't have pillows. That makes me happy.

Day Fifty-One

A busy day.

Niamh went to school. Then Craig went to work. Emmet got up and walked to his university. He was not awake.

Zita and I cleaned the house and studied. She studied her books and I studied the garden. I chewed on my new ball so it wont be too bouncy.

Niamh came home and is talking to her computer. She says the computer is a dragon so it understands.

We have dragons here. Rhome Clay in the living room and Ter Ceri in the den. Craig talks to them but I don't hear them answer. I hear better than Craig. I think he is just making it up. Maybe he is going silly. People do.

I will not talk about this morning's squirrel attack.

When Zita moves the cars I get to help. I am getting much better about the cars. Most of the time.

Day Fifty

Emmet went to university to day and got a new t-shirt. That is good.

I went for a long walk and I was perfect. It was hard. But I did it. And I went for a car ride. It was good too.

We had a big BBQ and I was invited. Ollie, Maggie and Disney were there. We had a very nice time even though I splashed people with the big water bowl. I like splashing in water. I don't know why.

It was a lazy day and I am off to bed. My new Red Ball needs a lot of chewing. It is too bouncy.

Sometimes it bounces over the wall and I am afraid we will loose it. Red Balls are hard to find.

Day Forty-Nine

I went in the car to Dr Smith's office at 5 in the morning. Even the squirrels were asleep. I had a test they could not do yesterday.

5am is very early Zita said. We went through the experimental farm. I could smell cows. I barked at them. They should be awake.

I have pills to take. Craig can't touch them or he will turn into a balloon. I get them covered in peanut butter. I like peanut butter.

Niamh went to her new school today. She had a good time she said. She looked very pretty to me. When she left Zita and I had a little nap.

Sava and Chris were over to talk to Emmet about the university. They go tomorrow. They will get lost without me to find the way. It is known.

Zita starts this week too.

Maybe I should go to university. Emmet says archaeology is all about digging old thing up. I am very good at digging and I bet to one would yell at me for digging in their flowers if I went to university.

I fell asleep on Emmet. Everyone thinks it was funny. I thought it was nice. So did Emmet. That is good.

Day Forty-Eight

My tummy is not feeling so good. Going to see Dr Smith. He will get me better. Emmet had to go to the doctor and he is all better. He said I should not worry. But I do.

When I was little I went to the doctor's and I could not go home that night. I was very lonesome. I did not like it at all. I was afraid my family did not want me. That is why I worry. All dogs worry about that you know.

Craig said they would always always want me because I make everybody so happy. That is good. Dogs are here for that. That makes my tail waggle. I am happy.

Day Forty-Seven

I had a bath.  I don't like baths. After I get to play in the water. That is lots of fun. Everyone gets very wet.

I checked.  Polar bears don't live near here. Emmet was wrong.  He needs different books I think.

Played in the garden until I was too hot.Then I came home and rested on my towels.

Squirrel ran across the street. It nearly got hit by a car.  Maybe next time.

My new Red Ball is very bouncy. I like my old Red Ball best. It tastes better.

Emmet has gone off. He forgot to chase me so Niamh chased me and hid my blue bone. That was good.

Finding my blue bone makes me happy.

We are having a patio party and I am invited. That is why I had to have a bath I bet.

Day Forty-Six

I just found out. There are lions in Africa. I was watching TVO with Niamh. Lions are very big. I saw them. Uncle Bill better be careful. Maybe they should have asked me to go along.

Zita says we can send some of our polar bears over to protect Uncle Bill. She says they are getting used to the heat. 

Polar bears are very fierce. Much fiercer than Lions  There are no squirrels where they live. The squirrels are lucky I think.

There are lots of squirrels here. There were lots on my patio today. I was very upset. My job is to protect my family and squirrels are not family. They sit on my chairs, run up my trees and steal my vegetables. Those squirrels should go to somewhere where they don't care. Not here. I care.  I hate squirrels.

Emmet went to the bagel store for bagels. I got a little piece. That is good.

Niamh and the twins took me to the garden to run around. I am very tired and hot. I will eat some ice and have a nap. Night night..