Day Two Hundred and Fifty Seven

I am having a bad day.

Last night I got a new toy. I chewed the handle off and got a sick tummy.

This morning I went for a car ride but I barked so much that I had to go home. Niamh and Zita went out without me. How am I going to help if I am not there?  I was very sad.

I had to stay here and guard Craig. He just drank his coffee for a long time.

I lost my Red Ball. It took forever to find it. Not a very nice day for me.

We are having a cheese party tonight. I will be very good. Maybe I will get a little bit of cheese.

Emmet says if he were Pope I could be his guard dog and bark at any one I wanted to. He says I would have to learn how to bark in Latin then I would be a Swiss Guard Dog.  That is good.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Six

Craig told me tomorrow is Carrot Day.

That is when Easter Bunny brings good dogs carrots. Zita says I am a very good dog.

Sometimes when I get very dirty she says I am a lot of trouble. She loves me because I make everybody happy in my house. It is my job. I am good at it. I always help a lot. I helped move the cars this morning. I like moving the cars a lot..

We are having a little cheese party tomorrow. That is good.

Emmet is writing even more stuff. This time all about Mr. Kipling. I like Mr. Kipling too. He writes about dogs and adventures. That is good. I like to hear about adventures. It is nice to think about adventures when you are on your warm duvet I think.

It is nice out. I had my afternoon nap outside today.  That is good.

Niamh made cookies. I had a nibble. Zita was shopping and brought home a giant bag of green beans. For the cheese party. She will give me some. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Five

My gate broke. We could not open it. I had to use the front door. Not my very own door.

Paul came over. Craig and Paul drank coffee and fixed my door. With noisy machines. I stayed in the house.

Emmet is very busy. Write and write and write some more. And drink tea.

Niamh and her friend went shopping. There are no stores open today. Ha.

I had a very nice walk this morning. The little birds have come back for a visit. We put out some food for them. The kind squirrels do not like.

I hate squirrels. I saw one this morning on my walk. He was hiding but I saw him. I will tell Jamie. Jamie hates squirrels too. That is good.

It is good the Easter bunny comes before my garden is ready. Rabbits steal my lettuce and my carrots. I have to chase them away. They do not care. I do not like rabbits.

We are going to watch a movie tonight. There is a tiger in it. Tigers do not live here. That is good. We have polar bears. That is better.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Four

We had an early walk. Zita has to go to university early today. Zita has finished all her essays. I was asleep when she finished. I was not a big help. Oh well.

We had a very nice walk. Not much pulling Zita said.

When Zita got home from university we went for a car ride. I was nearly very good.

When are having the egg holiday. Lots of chocolate. I can not have chocolate. It makes dogs sick. That would not be good.

I will have carrot treats. The bunny who leaves all the chocolates leaves me carrot treats. That is good.

My cheese friends sent Emmet and Niamh presents and a picture of a dog. Not cheese. Oh well.

Emmet went out and brought home a big bottle coke. He has lots of writing to do. Poor Emmet. Zita will make him tea.

One of Niamh's dance-a-lot friends is coming for a fall asleep late and wake up late sleep on the floor night. Niamh's bed is not big enough for two. Only me. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Three

All my family are so busy no one goes to bed when I want them to.

I had to pull Craig's arm to remind him it was time to go to bed. It still took him a long time.

Zita and Emmet are still drinking tea until late late. I just go to sleep on Craig's jeans at the end of the bed until everyone goes to sleep.

We drove Niamh to the bus stop in Craig's car. It is too small for me. I was a big help Zita said.

Craig took Zita to her university to do more writing and drink her coffee until late late. Craig took Niamh to her dentist and to her dance until late night.

Lorraine was here today. I do not help her with the noisy cleaning machine. She says that is OK. Her dogs do not like it either. She likes me to catch my Red Ball. She throws it a lot for me.

When she left I guarded the house. Emmet was having his nap. Emmet was up all night with his friends from away far away. I made sure no one woke him. When ever they came near my house I barked very loud and they went away. Ha.

The present man brought Craig a new book. He likes books. He says this is a dangerous book. The policeman's wife is a university professor like Jamie's people. She likes to cook and Craig says you can get fat if you read the book late at night. That is silly. You would not eat a book.

Maybe he should be a Viking again.

Craig and Emmet will have bagels for dinner tonight. I will get some. They share. Zita does not share. Oh well.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Two

 Everything outside is melting and dirty. We had a short walk this morning.

I have to go to the Make-Me-Beautiful store. Zita says I am too furry and get too dirty. That is true. I have to have lots of baths.

I hope am still a bit furry after my visit. I want to be nice and beautiful for the cheese party.

Craig says all the ladies in this house are smart and kind and beautiful. Mostly kind. Me too.

Craig says it is better to have kind people around. Like his favourite movie with the giant ghost rabbit. Craig is very silly. Ghosts live in castles in Ireland away far away. It is known.

Yesterday Niamh got new toe dancing shoes. They are all pink with ribbons. Niamh broke her old toe dancing shoes. Emmet says her toes are too sharp. That is silly.

They are all silly in this house. I am not silly. I am stubborn. Craig told me so. It is known.

Niamh has to sell her work-outside boots to her friend. They were too small and hurt her toes. Oh well. No toe dancing with sore toes. It is known.

It is still way too busy here. The kettle is always making noise. I am a big help. We had to move the cars this morning. I helped. We went for a little ride to look at all the busy working-outside people and the two new houses on my street.

The working-outside people are always very nice and talk to me. That is good. They all wear socks.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty One

I will be glad when the university is all done.

Everybody is too busy. Write write write, read read read. Too much tea. I just fall asleep on my new kitchen bed and Zita comes in to make more tea.

They stay up way too late. I go in the den and stand there. It is time to go to bed. But they ignore me and write and read and drink even more tea. Craig does not have to drink tea. He is not Irish. He has to eat porridge instead.

All the snow is melting. Craig says maybe spring is going to come after all. Craig says we have to get me some new throwing balls. I only have one. Oh Oh.

Niamh's new work-outside shoes are too noisy. She would not be a good work-outside person. They have to wear socks. Niamh hates socks. Silly Niamh.

Emmet is very busy at university. Sometimes he is sore and we do not play chase me around the house. That is OK. When we do not play chase he tickles my tummy. That is good. Emmet and I are friends. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty.

The sidewalks are very dirty. Zita said I was dirty too.

I had to have another little bath. Oh well.

We had a nice walk. It is sunny.

Emmet slept in until late late. Zita had to wake him up. Silly Emmet.

Zita is away writing another essay for her university.

Niamh and Julia went on the bus to buy old clothes. They got lots and lots of old clothes. Niamh got work outside boots. Julia got funny shoes. They laughed a lot.

Craig said they made a mess. That is not true. They made cheese sandwiches. Craig is old. Maybe he can not see very well now.

I got in trouble last night. I chewed off a bit of my Red Ball. I only have one Red Ball now. The snow ate my other Red Ball. Zita says if I chew pieces off it will not bounce. Oh oh.

I was having my morning nap when Zita was talking to Craig. I am a good listener.

Zita said that when she finishes school in just a little while we are going to have a cheese party. With all my friends. 

Zita and I will go to the Make-Me-Beautiful store before our party. Craig will wash his hair. He does not have a make-me-beautiful store. Oh well.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Nine

Saturdays are quiet days.

I was nearly perfect this morning. That is good.

Last night after dinner Emmet stole my blue bone and I had to chase him all around the house to get it back. Craig should get him his own blue bone I think.

Uncle Bill came over to bring us his new sausages.

He was going out to the other university. There are having an Auntie Louise day there. Dogs are not invited he said. Oh well.

Uncle Bill said that they had enough food and did not need any of his own sausages. Too bad for them. Zita likes Uncle Bill's sausages. That is good.

Craig was watching his hockey team on television. He could only throw my Red Ball a few times. Oh well.

For snacks Craig and I had a peanut butter sandwich. That is good.

It is very icy out. Zita said that we have to be careful on our walks and not pull or we will fall down.That would be sad. No treats when I pull. Oh well.

I saw a huge woodpecker in my garden. Woodpeckers are very noisy. They are not scary like owls. Ha.

Everybody is writing and writing. Then they drink tea and write some more. Then Craig looks at the essays and they write some more. Too busy.

Craig is still a Roman policeman. There are no Punics in this book. Or elephants. He should get another book. With a dog. A big black furry dog like me. Or cheese. Ha.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Eight

I had a nice day.

 Zita said I was the perfect dog on my walk this morning. That is good. I tried very hard. I got a treat.

Everybody was away today. I guarded the house. I am very good at guarding the house. I have a very nice bed in the kitchen. That is where I guard my house.

It is icy in my side yard. I slide into the gate when I catch my Red Ball. I will be glad when the flowers are here and I can go and lie on the nice warm stones on my patio.

Niamh is at a special class to learn how to tell people what to do. I do that. I always tell my family what to do.They hardly ever do it. They just say do not bark at those dogs.

They do not know those dogs. I do. If I did not bark at them they would sit on my corner.

It is my corner. It is where my carrots grow. Those dogs would dig them up. That is why I must bark at them. It is known.

Emmet is very busy with his lost Gettysburg essay and his nice Mr. Kipling essay.. Zita has two big essays to do. She says there is not enough time in the world. I will help. It will be perfect. Just like me.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Seven.

Everyone was everywhere today. Except me. I guarded the house.

I had a nice early walk. Today is Zita's go-to-university-before-she-is-awake day. Then I had a nap.

Emmet woke me up. He gave me a treat. Emmet is kind. Even when he is still asleep. He had a shower. Emmet is very clean. Messy but clean. He is honest. He always gives my blue bone back when he takes it. They should have asked him to be Pope. It is known.

Craig threw my ball a bit. Then I fought with my big red ball. It is an annoying ball. It is too big to hold and it slides away when I jump on it. Especially in the snow. But sometimes it is fun. I bark at it. It does not help. Oh well.

The present man brought a movie that has a dragon in it. It is about the men who ate all the cheese when they came for dinner. Zita said we will not invite them here. That is good. It is not nice to eat all the cheese in the house. Especially my house.

Niamh took me to the garden so I could jump in the deep snow. Ollie and Maggie came too. Then Disney and the twins came over to help us play. We had a party. Not a cheese party. Oh well.

They are going to have Mr. Tony's pizza tonight because everyone is very busy. Except Craig who is reading his Rome book and throwing my Red Ball. And making peanut butter sandwiches. He always shares the little bits at the end. I have a nice house and a warm duvet.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Six

Niamh's foot is almost all better. Not all better so Zita drove her to school today. I did not get to go. Oh well. Niamh said I am a good nurse. I kept her foot warm. It is known.

Craig only threw my Red Ball a few times today. Because of the snow. He will get stuck and turn into an icicle. That is why I have to bark when he goes out side. I help with the snow shovelling.

Lorraine came today. She threw my Red Ball allot. She is not afraid of the snow. That is good.

Zita told me Emmet is afraid of his toothbrush. Silly Emmet.

I like my toothpaste. My toothpaste tastes like chicken. They should get Emmet pasta toothpaste.

Zita is at her university until late today. Craig is going to make dinner. Ha.

I had a nice long walk last night with Jamie. Jamie does not pull so much. Oh well. I had so much snow stuck to my legs I had to stay in the kitchen until I melted.

Craig stayed with me. He was reading his Roman policeman book. We did not have any cheese. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Five

Oh no, more snow. Too much snow. Craig does not like to throw my Red Ball in the snow. He is afraid of the snow.

I went to the garden this morning. The snow was too deep for us to go for our walk.

I can jump in the snow in the garden. There is no salt in the garden snow. My paws do not hurt after. Zita said I look like a snow dog. That is good.

We had to bring Niamh home from school. She fell and hurt her foot and has to stay in bed. That is good. I can help. I got on the bed right away. She said I was a good nurse. That is true. It is known.

Dogs can always help you get better. She will not like to stay in bed. Emmet likes to stay in bed. Oh well.

Uncle Bill came over and they drank coffee all afternoon. I had a nice nap. They are very loud. They laugh a lot. I went into the bedroom and got on my warm duvet where it is quiet.

The big scary snow machine was on my street. It is louder than Uncle Bill and Craig. It leaves all the snow in the world on my driveway. Maybe I can help shovel when Zita gets home.

Emmet is at his be-at-university-all-day day. He is very busy. Lots and lots to write and read. He likes Mr. Kipling. So does Craig. That is nice.

Jessie comes tonight to speak dragon with Niamh and her computer. Niamh likes that.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Four

It is very cold again.

Craig had to drive everyone every where. He did not get home to throw my Red Ball until lunch time. That is not right.

I helped move the cars today. I was very quiet Zita said. That is good.

Had to have a little bath this afternoon. I was too dirty Zita said. Too dirty to get on my warm duvet. Oh well. I am clean now.

Even more Vikings. Now Craig watches more Vikings on the television in the den. His friend helped make the Viking's story Craig said.

The Vikings have swords and axes and armour just like Emmet's. Emmet is not a Viking.

Emmet likes to sleep late in his nice bed in the basement. Vikings sleep outside in the wet and cold. They get up very early. Emmet would not like that.

I watched the Vikings on the big television when I was not having my nap. They were very dirty. Emmet is not dirty, just messy.

Zita took Niamh to get new toe dancing shoes tonight. She broke her last ones. Jumping too high. It is known. Niamh loves to dance.

Sometimes she shows me her new dances. Sometimes I try to help. I am not so good at helping Niamh dance. I am better dancing with Emmet I think. He dances slower. That is good.

Craig does not dance. He does not even try. Silly Craig.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Three

Happy Saint Patrick's day. That is the real name of pretend you are Irish day. Zita told me.

Craig slept in so late today I had to go on the bed and cry until he got up. It took forever and ever for him to throw my Red Ball today.

Zita had two coffees. Zita does not share her toast like Niamh and Craig. Oh well.

Emmet asked me if there was a Saint Newton's day. Emmet is silly. We would not have a day where people pretend to be dogs. That is a silly idea. People need bathrooms.

Saint Newton is already a people. His friend God got him to invent why food always fall on the floor just for dogs. It is known.

It is still cold. Zita is busy writing her university work. I had a nap.

Emmet is writing all about his Mr. Kipling who writes poems that rhyme. Some of his poems are about dogs. He is a good poet. It is known.

Niamh has to go back to school tomorrow. Oh well.

Day Two Hundred and Forty Two

Too cold. Way too cold.

Niamh ate too much at the movie and had a sick tummy in the night. I could not go in and help. That is not right. That is my job to help. Sometimes it is very hard being a dog in this house.

I went on two car rides today. I was almost very good.

I had a nice walk with Jamie this morning. It is good we are fury dogs Jamie said. Jamie likes the cold more than me.

Tomorrow is the day when people think they are Irish. Even when they are not. I am part Irish. The fury part I think.

Niamh's cousins from away far away Celbridge helped me with my Irish.

This is me in Irish.

Dia dhuit! Is mise Poppy agus tá mé in a chónaí i gCanada! Is breá liom mo liathróid dearg! Ní maith liom ioraí, tá sé úfasach!

Zita says I sound just like a perfect Dublin dog. From the south-side.

Thank you Ciara, Emma and Lucy. 

Day Two Hundred and Forty One

I was a very big help today. It was a helping day.

I got to go in the car to take Niamh to her friend Aiden's and let cats out. Silly cats. Then I went along to take Niamh to her dance camp.

When Emmet and Zita got home from their university I was a big help with the snow shovelling.

More silly snow. Craig does not throw my Red Ball very well when it snows. He is afraid of the snow. Oh well.

I got to go in the car to bring our newspapers to lots of places. When Zita takes the papers away I stay in the car to guard the other papers. I was a very big help.

I only barked a little too much Zita said. That is good.

I try not to bark too much. But there is so much to talk about when I am in the car. It is hard being a dog.

We have way too much snow. I saw Jamie. Jamie likes the snow. Oh well.

Niamh and one of her dancing friends are going to have a-do-not-go-to-sleep-early night. They will laugh a lot. That is what dance people do. It is known.

It is nearly the day when lots of people think they are Irish. They are not.

Zita and Emmet and Niamh are Irish. I am half Irish Wolfhound from away away long ago Emmet says.

Craig is not Irish. He pretends to be a Scotsman sometimes. Then he eats some porridge. To bad for him.

My barking in Irish is not very good. I still sound just like me. I still need help.

Zita says it is difficult to bark in Irish if you do not know where you are from in Ireland. Zita says no one can understand dogs from Cork or Donegal.

She says I should be a Dublin dog with a nice kind of Irish. That is a good idea.  All of Niamh's cousins from away far away will help me. That is good.

Day Two Hundred and Forty

There was a very big machine on my corner this morning. It went into my duck pond. It was very noisy. It came back with big pieces of a tree. They put them all in a big truck and drove away.

Poor tree. I like trees. It is where my friends the crows live when it is not winter. Crows do not like squirrels. Crows are smart. That is good.

It is very cold to day. The weather is silly. I had a very good walk this morning. Zita fell. The sidewalks are very slippy. She is alright.  That is good.

I guarded the house last night. When I guard the house Emmet fills my green toy with peanut butter before he goes out. That is good.

All the news papers came today with the nice men. I did not bark at them at all.

Niamh is helping little kids dance all week. She likes it a lot. She makes dances just for them.

My Red Ball fell down the scary basement stairs while I was playing with it. Oh well. Emmet will find it for me.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Nine

Poor Emmet. They did not make him Pope. Too bad for them.

Craig said Emmet would be a good Pope. Emmet knows right from wrong he said. That is important for Popes. Sometimes they are so old they forget about right and wrong he said.  That is too bad. Oh well.

Uncle Bill came over. He did not have coffee. He had too much coffee he said. He had cough medicine instead. He tried to steal my Red Ball.

Just like Emmet. He is funny like Emmet. I had a nap on my kitchen bed.

Emmet was downstairs fast fast asleep just like me.

Zita went to university very early today. She has a lot to write. I had to stay here and look after Craig.

Craig is finished being a Viking. He said it was a good book the dog did not die.

He does not know what he is going to be next. Maybe a Roman policeman he said. That would be good. They have lots and lots cheese.

Vikings do not have any cheese. They only have fish.

They are going to go out for dinner tonight. I will guard the house.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Eight

A rainy day. I do not like a rainy day.

Craig does not like to go out in the rain to throw my Red Ball. We only went out four times. Oh well. I am waterproof. Maybe he is not.

I was perfect on my walk last night. I got two treats from the box the nice lady leaves for me. That is good.

Niamh made lots of little cakes last night. Nothing fell to my floor. Oh well. Craig ate all of them. Not the ones Niamh hid in the refrigerator. Ha.

Emmet is reading letters from generals in the broken house war. He said one was smart. The other was not. He was foolish Emmet said.  Emmet likes old things. Lucky for Craig. Ha.

I had a nice nap in the den last night. Zita got me nice fluffy pillows. I like pillows.

Zita is still writing and writing. All about why boys are boys and ladies are ladies. I am a lady. No one asked me why. Oh well.

Write and read. Write and read. That is what you do at university. And drink coffee and eat doughnuts. And argue.

Emmet says he is awesome at arguing. Emmet and I do not argue. We dance.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Seven

Oh dear. There was an accident on my corner. Two cars. Craig said they were not paying attention.

There were lots of sad people on my corner. And tow trucks to pull the broken cars away. They are very noisy. I did not like that. I barked at them. They did not notice. Oh well.

There was a police car too. Uncle Bill used to have one. Emmet told me Uncle Bill turned on the siren for him one day away long ago. Uncle Bill and Emmet laugh a lot. That is good.

I am still a soggy dog Craig says. Oh well. He is still a Viking. Too bad for him. Nobody gives Vikings bean treats. Ha.

Zita is writing hard so I am a big big help. Emmet too.

Niamh is a helper teacher at the dance camp all week.

Zita says we have to be careful on our walks because some people in cars should not be allowed to drive. They might hit us. That would be bad. 

Craig says when I get a bit upset I always stretch out and put my paw on him. That is true. I do not know why.

Craig is a good corner watcher. He always comes to help me when I see something wrong. That is good.

It is good Craig is retired. Zita and Emmet are too busy with the university to help me with my corner. Sometimes everyone needs help. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Six

I had a nice walk this morning. It was early but Zita said it was not. She said the time changed. Changed into what? Why would it change? People should leave things alone. It is too confusing.

My duvet did not change. It is still nice and soft.  And warm. Sometimes it is too warm and I sleep on the table at the end of the bed. I use Craig's pants as a pillow. They are soft too.

We had our Sunday breakfast today. That is when Zita and I make the bacon. Sometimes little bits fall on the floor. St. Newton loves dogs. It is known.

Emmet has to read an inside out book. He does not like it. Too confusing. It is a confusing day I think.

Craig is still reading his book about Vikings. He read me the part where the dog saved the prince in a big fight. It is a good book.

The big fight was in away far away but the dog does not know Gaelic. He was from even father away. He lives on a boat. I would not like that. No bean treats on boats. Or warm duvets. Oh well.

Zita is reading again so I am helping again. Helping so much makes me sleepy. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Five

I went for two car rides today. I was perfect on the last one. Not so good on the first one. Oh well.

I had a nice walk this morning. The streets are very dirty. I get a bit dirty and need to be rubbed and rubbed with my kitchen towels. Oh well.

It is Niamh's dance all day day.

Emmet says he will learn Latin then they will ask him to be Pope.  I hope it is easier than learning how to bark in away far away Gaelic.

Niamh told me cousin Ciara will help me. Ciara lives in away far away. She can talk Gaelic.  She taught Tilly how to bark in Gaelic Niamh said. That is good.

It is very sunny today.

Craig went out to the bake good things store. He brought back lots of smelly bread. That is good.

They make the best French bread Zita says. They are Chinese. People are silly.

Craig hurt is hand on a too small door. I kissed it better. I licked all the smelly soap off. That is good.

Zita is reading and reading. Emmet too. Craig is still a Viking.

My duvet is very soft.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Four

All the snow is melting. I am always wet. A soggy dog again Zita said. Oh well.

Barking in Gaelic is very hard. It sounds just the same as me.

I will ask Niamh's cousins from away far away for help. They can talk in Gaelic.

Craig's granddad could talk in Gaelic. But not the same Gaelic. It is because of all the porridge they eat Craig said. I do not think he is right. He is wrong a lot. More than me.

Emmet says they are going to get a new Pope soon. They did not ask him. He is sad. He said he would be a great Pope. He said I would have a nice purple cape. I will vote for Emmet. God listens to dogs. It is known.

Emmet told me he would make Saint Newton a very big church just for dogs. With treats.

Emmet is very funny. St. Newton does not need a big church. He is in every kitchen where a dog lives. It is known.

It took forever to get Craig to throw my Red Ball this afternoon. Too much coffee. Too many books. All about the Vikings. He said Vikings are scary.

Craig would not like to be a Viking. They did not have peanut butter. They had to live in old fashioned boats. And had to sleep outside. They had dogs to keep them warm. That is good. I bet they were soggy too.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Three

Everybody was out today so I had to stay here and guard my house. I had a nap too.

Zita and Craig came home. They had a big bag of my food. That is good.

Niamh was very upset last night.

Someone hid her very small computer that makes her Dance-with-me-music. She found it in her lunch bag. She was very happy. Me too. It is better to be happy I think.

Sometimes I am sad. When no one will throw my Red Ball. Or when I pull too much on my walks and Zita gets sad with me. I do not like that. I try harder. Sometimes it works. Oh well.

Emmet says in a while everyone will pretend to be Irish.

Zita thinks most of them are silly. Emmet and Niamh and Zita have little books that say they are Irish. Craig does not. Too bad for him.

I am practising barking in Gaelic. Everybody in Ireland has to speak Gaelic. The dogs too Emmet says. He says it is hard to bark in Gaelic. Maybe I will need help. I have never heard anyone talk Gaelic. Oh well.

Emmet shaved again today. He can not make up his mind about being furry. Craig and I are furry. Craig is all white. He is old. Ha. 

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Two

It is still wet. Zita said I was a soggy dog. Oh well. She said I was beautiful even when I was soggy. That is good.

I saw Zorro yesterday. Zorro is afraid of Craig's red chair. That is too bad.

I am not afraid of it. I just am more happy when Craig is in it and it is not all by itself. It will not know where to go if Craig is not in it. It will get all lost. That would be wrong.

Niamh is feeling better. My kisses worked. That is good.

Lorraine came today to throw my Red Ball. Lorraine is a good ball thrower.

Sava is going to have a big Slava party. Chris and Emmet will go and eat real food. That is what Craig told me. I do not think he told Sava. Oh well.

I got in trouble last night. Too much pulling. Zita said I was awful. That makes me sad. I tried very hard this morning and Zita said I was perfect but very wet.

Emmet is going to teaching me how to bark in Gaelic so I can pretend to be Irish. I will not have to eat sheep's tummies if I am Irish. It is known.

Or like bagpipe music.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty One

More Snow. And wet. I get very wet and have to stay in the kitchen so I can be all dry. That is why I have my kitchen bed.

Emmet says I am the only one he knows who has lots of bed times.

He is right. I have my After-my-Walk bedtime, my Help Zita Write her Essay bedtime, my After Dinner bedtime and my Make Everyone Go To Bed Too bedtime. I am good at bedtime.

Niamh stayed home because she is still coughing too much. She can not go to all her dance a lot day tonight. That is sad for Niamh.

Today is Emmet's go-to-university-all-day day. He will steal my blue bone when he gets home. Ha. I will get it back.

Zita had so much to read I fell asleep all afternoon. I like my warm duvet. Not all dogs have nice warm duvets Craig said. That is too bad.

Emmet drinks lots of tea because he is part Irish. I do not know which part.

He says I am part Irish too. But I know what part. My curly fur is because we are part Irish Wolfhounds way way way long ago. That is what Emmet told me. Emmet reads allot. So he knows all about that. I did not know. I can not read.

Craig reads to me some times. That is nice. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty

Cold again. Still no frozen squirrels. Oh well.

Craig was still in bed when I got home from my walk. Zita said he was sore.

Zita was wrong. I jumped up on the bed and I dug and dug the duvet off. He said I was a scourge. I am I think. He got up and made his coffee and threw my Red Ball. That is good.

Niamh only went in to school in the morning. She is still sick. Oh well. She has to go to bed early. She does not like going to bed early.

Zita drove Emmet to university. It is too cold.

Craig got out of his chair this afternoon. He got into Emmet's big chair to read. I do not like it when he is out of his red chair. It is not right. His chair might roll far away. What would I do?

He has another book. He likes books. I might like books too but no one teaches dogs to read. That is not fair. I would teach them how to chase squirrels.

Jamie and I went for a walk this afternoon. We had a good time.

I like going to bed. I go to bed a lot. I am good at it. That is good.

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Nine

Everybody is still busy on their computers. I do not have a computer. I have my own warm duvet. I had a nice nap on my duvet when Zita was writing.

It is a big help for me to be there she says. That is good.

Zita drinks tea. She has to. She is Irish. They are made of tea. It is known.

Niamh needs more kisses. Her throat is still sore.

Niamh and Zoe watched a very loud movie last night. All about the sky falling. A silly movie. The sky does not fall. Leaves fall. That is why they call it fall. It is known.

 I went and slept in the kitchen. Too loud.

I saw two squirrels on my walk. I thought all the snow would freeze them all. What good is snow then? Oh well. Maybe next year they will freeze to icicles.

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Eight

It is a Saturday everyone is off doing doing something except Craig.

Emmet and Zita are writing. Niamh is at her dance-all-day dance.

Craig is back from breakfast and is just reading and drinking coffee.

He says that is what you do when you retire. You read books, play with the Red Ball and do stuff for your family.

That is what I do too. Except I do not read books. No one has taught me how to read. I sleep instead. Just like Emmet.

Emmet sleeps, goes to his university, writes, talks to his computers and has showers. He is very clean. But skinny. I chased Emmet all around the house last night. His is feeling better. That is good.

Dogs do not retire because we do not drink coffee or read books. If I retired who would make sure they got up in the morning. It is known.

Niamh has to come home early from her jump all around class because she has a sore throat. I will kiss her and it will better.

I am good at fixing people with kisses. I kiss Craig every night but he does not get better. He is just stubborn. It is known.

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Seven

A nice quiet day. Everyone at school. Except Craig and me. We threw the Red Ball a lot.

Niamh and Emmet are off with their friends They are going out for dinner.

Not to the same store though. That would not eat the same foods. Zita says Emmet only eats air.

That is not true. Emmet eats peanut butter and he eats pasta. He gives me peanut butter. That is good. 

Emmet is going to see one of his noisy movies with Chris and Sava.

After dance Niamh is going out for her friend's birthday. They will laugh a lot.

Craig and Zita will eat by themselves. And me. It will be quiet.

Emmet came home. We all ate together except Niamh. I had beans. That is good.