Balbriggan\North County Dublin branch

Squeeking Ball

15th February 2010 (5 months ago)

My pal Unice arrived home after her weekend away on the Sunday morning with a ball in her mouth. Immediately I stole it and put it in my bed and later when our owners decided to go for a walk I popped it into my mouth. As usual after a long walk our owners go for drinks to a nice pub with carpet and we usually get a rest. This time however i squeeked the ball and did I have some fun hiding it under that table while many hands sought to find it. Eventually I gave it up as I wanted a rest but brought it home later for myself to tease Ms Unice at the first chance Sarge

Valentine's weekend

14th February 2010 (5 months ago)

Two days before the big day of 14th February I got a real surprise when playing in the garden of my owners son I found a Squeeky ball. To my delight I held onto it and teased everybody to get them to chase me which of course those silly humans did but I won every time. The big day came and we hit the city my best friend Gillian and I. I had no harness just my official badge on my lead to say I was a guide dog. It was wonderful to ramble the city and not to have to work and best of all nobody objected to me going in and out of all sorts of premises Unice

My Travels

25th November 2009 ( last year)

Went to the other side of town on Thursday and stayed with my best pal for a few nights. The rest of the family had gone away for a few days with Sarge. I had the life of Reilly, lots of walks, sleeps in front of the fire, footballs and chews. What more could a girl want for? I went to stay with D & C on Monday, and more walks! I think I was walking in my sleep afterwards, at least my legs were moving and I was yip-yipping! But it was a sweet dream. Unice.

Happy Birthday Unice!

14th October 2009 ( last year)

Happy 5th Birthday Unice! I hope that you will share all of your treats with me. Love from Sarge.

The non-magical roundabout

29th September 2009 ( last year)

Hello it’s me again! I have not written anything for a long time, as I have been very busy!!

We do not go to work on those trains anymore; I am not sure what is going on. We go close to the train station every morning but get on a bus instead. We don’t even seem to go at the same time each morning or come home at the same time each evening, I am so confused and exhausted I have to be careful that I listen very well to what I am being told because it can change so much.

Sometimes the buses are really nice and I have lots of room to lie down and then sometimes there is not much room for me. The same with steps; there are lots of steps for us to get on and off the bus. And I seem to be sliding around the place as we go around in circles. I think they are called roundabouts. Whatever they are called I don’t like them as I cannot get to sleep or even to stay in the same place for any length of time.

We get off the bus and even that is different most mornings I have lots of work to do to get to the Luas stop. I love going on the Luas as I have lots of room and we don’t stay on it for long. Then when I get off I have plenty of work to do to get to work.

When we are going home we go to a different place to get the bus and on this bus there is lots of room for me; I think it is at a bus station with a funny name and lots and lots of big buses. When we get nearly home I get thrown around the bus again with those terrible circles - roundabouts that I hate. It seems like we are going back the way we came!

It is great when we get off and are walking home there is some lovely grass for me to sniff - if she lets me. When we get home I really look forward to my dinner and a good rest. Sarge has not been on the buses with us. I am not sure what is going on with him. He is always there when we are going in the morning in his bed - the lucky sod, and is always at the door to meet me in the evenings too.

From an exhausted Unice - that is due a good holiday.

Trains, almost Planes, and Automobiles

26th August 2009 ( last year)

We are just back from our holidays in Mayo where we were petted and feted by everyone along the way! Celebrities it seems we are!

There seems to have been a 'sea-change'; excuse the pun, and Sarge and I and our owners are now travelling by bus. It's wierd, the bus goes up and down and jerks around alot compared with the train. Not sure what is the story is with the trains, but I am told I was lucky that we didn't get wet last Friday.

Charlie called over last night, and we were delighted to see him. Not only Charlie, but I heard my other best pal outside. I ran into the living room and went to have a look out the window. I saw her, and I know that room is out of bounds but I was so excited, we ran outside. I jumped over the wall, and Sarge jumped into the front seat of the open car, and blew the horn with his paws.

We had been brushed and groomed, and then we went to visit Billy in Oldtown and have our photos taken. I got to lie out in front of a warm stove. Any chance Billy that we can visit again soon?

My Luck

28th July 2009 ( last year)

We were out for a great free run on Sunday and I was asked to visit my friends home on my own after our run. Dinner was supplied and away I went. On returning home I got a second dinner because one person had not told the other they had given my friend dinner for the normal feeding time. Such luck. I had been ill the previous few days so it made up for the lack of food I got when ill. Sorry Sargey you missed out this time

Dun Na Ri Forest Park Kingscourt Co Cavan

11th July 2009 ( last year)

We headed off on Friday evening by train to Dundalk. This lovely girl Mary met us and we hopped into the boot space of her car. we had a lovely bed in there and we looked around us as we went as everything was new. The talked about red clay and the bog road which was bumpy bumpy. Anyway we arrived to a wonderful back garden and we ran all over the place. Next we met Paula Mary's lovely sister and the two girls with our owners took us to this fantastic forest Dun Na Ri on Saturday and Unice and I went into the river, over bridges and back into the water again. The real fun was getting wet and shaking all over those humans. O please Mary-Paula can we go there again soon? Sarge-Unice

My Wet nose strikes again!

27th June 2009 ( last year)

My wet nose got me into a spot of bother again - this time in Ardgillan and the unintentional victim was a picnic basket. Oh the smell of lovely bacon sandwiches almost drove me distracted. Unice hovered nearby doing her own thing with Gillian being a 'good girl'. They're great pals the two of them, it must be a girl thing. For some reason I was put on the lead and she was free to gander along ... what's going on? Sarge.

Vets in a Spin

16th June 2009 ( last year)

Well I am almost recovered! I went to Blackrock to stay with my friend Helen and her family and my very best pal Irwin [but not better than you Sarge] While my boss went away to a wedding. I was having a wonderful time until on the Tuesday I really did not feel well, I had a sore tummy and I had to keep licking it to try and make it better. Irwin was very worried about me and he kept coming over to me to try and help. Helen had a look at me and she decided to bring me to the vet. I was delighted as I thought I was going to see Margaret who is behind the desk at the vet's in my own town because she always gives me a treat. When I arrived at the Vet's I did not know anyone but there were lots of other nice people there. They were all fussing around me and saying things like I don't like that lump and I think I will have to do surgery to see what is wrong and we will have to keep her here for a while, I was so confused and I did not know what was going to happen. I got a needle stuck into me and the next time I remember anything there was an itchy spot on my tummy and my fur was gone. I put my nose down to see what had happened and was told not to touch by the person who was minding me. I got back to Helen's house later that day and when they were not looking I had another look at my tummy and when I put my nose on it I got a funny prickly feeling so did not touch it any more. I was very tired for a few more days and was not able to play with Irwin. I went back to my boss on the Monday and did not really feel like working. We did not do much for the next few days and on Friday there was more talk about the Vet but this time I went to the one I know and got my treat and the vet clipped all the funny things on my tummy and pulled them out. This was great because I felt like scratching them lots of times. My other pal Gillian came and brought Sarge and me to Argillen on Saturday and I had a great time and was able to run and run as usual. Unice.

Let's go so...

11th June 2009 ( last year)

Unice I am game to go through that gate also. You're 7 weeks older than me so you can take the blame if we are caught out. Saturday morning would suit me. I'm wrecked today long walk from Connolly Station to a hospital via the park at Mountjoy Square which was nice and all the way back down O'Connell Street to the boss's office. Sarge

Let's go to Ardgillan

11th June 2009 ( last year)

Sarge, I am also feeling alot better, and I will take you to Ardgillan. We can go off on a big adventure ourselves, I think I know the way. Let's keep an eye on the side gate and when the boss' backs are turned we'll head. I know where the rabbits are! Unice.

Back at work

8th June 2009 ( last year)

Well I got a week away with my friend Pat as the boss was off to somewhere called Rome for I suppose I could say my uncle's wedding. Pat took me everywhere, to the nursing home to meet her mother and friends, to the beach, to the big scool where she works and I had a wonderful time but and their's always one. I cut my paw jumping too high she said and landing heavely on my foot. The vet checked me out and I was king of the dog world they all were worried about me and I loved it. Then the boss came back andfor the next two days in his office I slept and at home recovering from the racing with Pat and of course getting my paw well again. It's grand again and I'm ready for Ardgillian if somebody will take me Sarge

Beauty

21st May 2009 ( last year)

Such beauty in the Bracken Court Hotel at a fundraising fashion show. The girls were so confident and so well made up with make-up, perfumes and hairdo's. As the main man is my owner I got up real close to those beauties and one lady in particular I got stuck into with my wet nose. Such a rumpus after cleaning and wiping the dress but none of the beauties were naturally rich blondes like me, other than my pal Unice, so I pose the question who was the fairest of them all? I know the answer. Sarge

Wet day

21st May 2009 ( last year)

This morning it was horrible as we coming to work but you know there is a wonderful pleasure in a wet day as I get rubbed down with a big soft towel and I love it. Damp Sarge

Freedom to be a dog

21st May 2009 ( last year)

My owner was away at the weekend and I was quietly removed from home when Unice was busy getting brushed. One of my favourite people Pat took me away to her home where I truthfully ran wild and was free. We went to Pat's place of work on the Saturday, some sort of a big school I think, but there was football fields, wild open spaces and again I ran riots around Pat when we were out. Any body like wild garlic? It was all over the place and I was unsure if I could eat it or not so decided on the safe side not too eat. I did miss my running partner Unice so maybe Pat when you read this you will bring the two of us next time. Wrecked but happy Sarge

Hi from Unice

21st May 2009 ( last year)

Well if Sarge goes North and to a wedding and had lots of boring travelling on smelly trains and buses I had a better time with my friends Pat and Christy. I get taken to the beach and I am allowed in the water, I also get to run free in a big field near Pat's house and she has lots of space for me to be free in around her house. I have a friend called Jake who is a Springer and comes over to see me from next door; He is good fun to run around with. Pat calls him my boyfriend whatever that is. There are 2 big cats in Pat's house called Willow and Ollie. Willow is lovely and gentle but Ollie is a terror, he even terrorises Willow by jumping from behind doors and furniture at him. I was out in the garden on Saturday and he came out and chased me all around the garden, I was scared of him and had to yell to get someone to come and hoosh him away. I go in the car with Pat to a big house called a Nursing Home, and I am allowed off my lead when we get in the door. I wander around in and out of all the rooms getting lots of petting and some of the people know my name and they call me over to them. There are lots of funny chairs there with big wheels that I have to be careful that I don't get my paws or tail run over. I am looking forward to this weekend because I heard herself saying that I might be going for a free run with my pal Gillian.

Ardgillan adventures!

18th May 2009 ( last year)

Unice says: My pal arrived on Sunday, and I knew it had to be the trip to Ardgillan. Yippee! Tom tried to put on my lead but there was no way I was letting him bring me anywhere, so I wrestled him for it in the kitchen, until like every other man he gave in and I won! We had a fabulous walk, Sarge and I competed for the rag rope throw, and I won that too. If Sarge managed to get to it before me, I tugged until he too gave in and I walked off with my prize. He is a soft puppy all the same, and I love his company. But I do like to stay close to my human companion, to make sure she is ok. She tells me that I'm a very good girl, and I can wag back:-)

Sarge says: Our pal arrived on Sunday, and I was so excited that I couldn't stop barking at her to hurray up and come on. I waited outside the door and hid, and didn't come back in, just in case Tom decided he needed me for something. Unice took the rag rope from me in the car even though I had it first. She does that alot. I let her have it, because then she thinks she's won and is in charge, and she's hopping around like a mad woman. I was told to come to heel a few times on the walk, as I spotted a fantastically smelly ditch that I wanted to throw myself into to have a bath. I don't know why humans don't enjoy that. Ms. Perfect of course never strays too far.

Hi from Unice

23rd April 2009 ( last year)

Well if Sarge goes north and to a wedding and had lots of boring travelling on smelly trains and buses - I had a better time with my friends Pat and Christy. I get taken to the beach and I am allowed in the water, I also get to run free in a big field near Pat's house and she has lots of space for me to be free in around her house. I have a friend called Jake who is a Springer and comes over to see me from next door; He is good fun to run around with. Pat calls him my boyfriend whatever that is. There are 2 big cats in Pat's house called Willow and Ollie. Willow is lovely and gentle but Ollie is a terror, he even terrises Willow by jumping from behind doors and furniture at him. I was out in the garden on Saturday and he came out and chased me all around the garden, I was scared of him and had to yell to get someone to come and hoosh him away. I go in the car with Pat to a big house called a Nursing Home, and I am allowed off my lead when we get in the door. I wander around in and out of all the rooms getting lots of petting and some of the people know my name and they call me over to them. There are lots of funny chairs there with big wheels that I have to be careful off that I don't get my paws or tail run over. I am looking forward to this weekend because I heard herself saying that I might be going for a free run with my pal Gillian.

Sarge goes north

22nd April 2009 ( last year)

What a guide dog adventure I had at the weekend. I was on a 3.40 hour bus journey, was on three different trains and into two taxis and a family car. I was in the Lough Erne Golf and country club in Co Fermanagh at a very stylish wedding. My owner didn't even have to carry his luggage in or out of the hotel, a lovely man collected it at the taxi and dropped it into our bedroom. He did the same when we checked out. The hotel overlooked the largest lake in Ireland - Lough Erne, and on Sunday we went for a great walk up a hill and I got free to run through the long grass and get dog smelly. This was not appreciated by my owner or some of the guests as I learned from their puffing and huffing. I got a brushing after which improved my odour I heard, but what they should have done is let me into that lake. My canine friends say that we dogs hear much better than our human friends and over the weekend I heard for the first time bagpipes - boy what a noise! There was lots of men dressed up in skirts which is something I had not seen before either, and one man I almost growled at when I saw his bald head, his black boots up to his knees and those humans said he was wearing a white linen kilt. What an adventure so now it's back to sleeping under the desk and I am glad of it today as it is so warm. Sarge

Easter treats?

14th April 2009 ( last year)

Dear Sarge, Unice.

Any content for a dog blog for this week? Any nice doggie treats over Easter to go with the chocolate indulgences of your human companions? Late nights, sing songs, walks or sessions attended? A faithful pal, G. (you know who I am!) P.S. I won’t tell you about the deer and rabbits you could have chased in the muck of Newcastle forest, Co. Longford yesterday. We’ll save that up for a visit sometime.

Dear faithful pal G, I would have what I would call a rather ordinary weekend. What is this about Chocolate? I did not even get a smell of a bit and I didn't see them having any either. I had a bit of fun in a place called Tara Post office on Friday evening with a little girl who was with her Granny. There was lots of food there but I did not get a bit. I got lots of photographs taken of me and Sarge with our owners and they were given a nice big cheque for €814.00 from something called a 'raffle for hampers'. Sarge and I had a bit of fun in our back yard on Sunday in the lovely Sunshine. We are back to work as usual today.

Easter Break

12th April 2009 ( last year)

How lovely it is today, Unice and I are enjoying the sunshine while those owners of ours enjoy their dinner in the garden as well as the sunshine. Looks very much like a good walk is also about to happen. There has been a mention of delivering Easter Eggs. Woff Unice what are they?

Sarge making a statement of fact

1st April 2009 ( last year)

She may think her holiday was good, but mine with Pat was much better, fields, beach, and we visited a nursing home. Action is on now again, I think there's a big night on tomorrow. Loads of paper going around and money been discussed.

I'm back

29th March 2009 ( last year)

I didn't even have the pleasure of being dropped home from my holiday, I was collected! From holidays to harness in 30 seconds. Still, I was delighted to see my mammy (within reason) but I did give Sarge a big lick. He was so happy to see me.

My holidays...

18th March 2009 ( last year)

Woof Woof my friends. This is Unice. I have my suitcase packed to go on my holidays this week to the seaside, in the nice suburb of Blackrock, Dublin. My family hasn’t told me yet, but I just know. They’re packing their bags, and talking about the sun, Spain, and something called Sangria. I have also heard mention of ‘Helen’ my pal. I can’t wait *pant pant, wag wag*. More later …