Day Two Hundred and Twelve

Miss Pancake 

We had a sad day this morning.

My friend Mister Disney went to heaven this morning. 

He was Lee and Cara and Miss Bruna and Mister Lyndon’s very favourite friend. For a very long time.

We used to play on the snow mountains in his backyard. 

When I was very little.  

He was a not such a very big dog even when our Miss Poppy was was brand new. 

Maybe they can visit each other in the very very far away heaven. Maybe. 

Then I asked Craig how does people find heaven, if it is very very far away.

He said when it is the right time all your family’s dogs will come and get you. 

And guide you all the way there. So you will not just get lost. 

Because they can smell their way right to you and right back again. Ha.

Dogs have always known how to find heaven by themselves, since the very beginning of dogs. 

They have the map right in their nose. Even when they are brand new dogs. 

People do not have such good noses. It is known. 

And he said that people who do not have dogs have wander all around, until some nice dog comes to find them. Oh dear. 

And if you were not such a nice person maybe no dogs will want to ever find you. Ha. Too bad for you. 

That is why everyone should have a dog. So they can find heaven right away. 

But now Mister Disney’s family is very very sad. 

So Niamh went over to be sad with them. 

Because they are our friends. And that is what friends do. It is the rule.  

Then it was time for us to drive Niamh to her shop. 

So she can sell people lovely clothes. And magic rocks too. Ha. 

And when I got into our fast car I saw our pond was nearly full of water. And it was giant. 

I did not know that our pond got so very full of water. 

Because I have never seen a pond before, just lovely puddles and my bathtub. Oh my goodness. 

I was very excited. My very own pond.

And I can see it right from my watching chair. What a good idea a pond is. 

Festis and Furrgus 

Well the weather was as somber as the the tenor of the household.

Mrs. Bruna telephoned to inform us that this morning their Disney had peacefully left this mortal realm. 

Well that was a bit of a shock I must say. 

We had known that he was poorly but this was a shock all round.

Niamh went over to console them as much as is possible under such circumstances.

I remember father taking Lochlainn’s father up to the far cliff, across from the castle, overlooking the Moidart.

That is where they lay old RoriRhur to rest, right there beside the broch. 

Father had a nice headstone made in Aberdeen. 

But Old Lochlainn never had another dog. 

Turned everything over to young Lochlainn. 

Dogs are a very personal thing. 

Now Dugal has never forgiven that Campbell stepfather of his for the loss of his beloved deerhounds. Never will. 

Underestimate those very particular bonds at your peril. 

So in a melancholy mood we proceeded on our late morning patrol. 

Through the sight of the rapidly filling pond rather lightened the mood. 

That mood required a bit of indulgence, to distract us for visions of mortality, so off to Little Victories it was. 

Nothing like a good selection of chocolate doughnuts to brighten your day I must say. 

Miss Pancake 

Professor Jill came over for a visit. 

She is still very sad because her own little dog Miss Amy went to heaven too.

My goodness there are too many goings to heaven I think. 

Then it was time for my first get me fat lunch. Ha. 

Zita went out in the fast car to do some errands so I stayed here in the house so I could mind Craig. 

We were not so sad because we were together. 

And then we had toasts, with jam, for his lunch. 

The very big and noisy garbage trucks took away all our garbage. 

But I do not know where it goes. Maybe somebody wants it. Maybe. 

It was not so warm today, but our flowers are growing anyway. That is good.

Zita said that soon we will have lots of beautiful tulips in our garden.

We have lots and lots and lots of tulips in our city. 

Because the Queen of Holland sends them to us. Every year. 

Because when those nasty people stole her little county she came to live here. 

Because our country is very very big. And her princess was born here. Right in that old hospital. Ha.

And our soldiers took her country away from those people and gave everybody there lots of chocolates. Ha.

And maybe even some tasty ham sandwiches. Maybe.

Ham sandwiches are very delicious. One time I got one. Ha. 

That is why we have so many beautiful tulips all over everywhere where I live. 

I did not go to my school tonight.

Because my outside class was canceled. 

Because the outside was too full of windy rain. And nobody wanted to get all soggy as could be.

But Zita and I went to our farm instead. 

For our all over exercise running. Ha. That was a good idea.

Then we got Niamh so she could go to her hoppity dance class. 

So it was only Craig and Zita for me to mind at dinnertime.

We had chillies for dinner. And chillies are not even cold. Instead it is hot. That is a silly name.

Then it was time to watch a brand new detective program. 

Before we went to our very comfy beds.