Dear Irish Terrier Friends

Sparkling weather at last, I don’t remember such brilliant sunshine in April. It has been wonderful here at the seaside!

No roses yet, but my beloved Celandines are scattering themselves amidst the bright blue Forget Me Nots – such a charming sight. I adore the little Celandines and they follow the sun and close up when it rains – you can’t even find them on the grass.

The cherry tree has burst into blossom – “all in white for Easter time.”

Marybel has been in trouble with the gardener who says she’s been scratching the grass and making bare patches – “Not true” I said “It’s your lawn mower which does a very close shave” I can’t tell you how cross I was, he hasn’t been here for 2 weeks now and the grass has miraculously recovered!

She’s becoming very expert at jumping through her hoop and I feel sure she’s going to do a backwards jump any day now. She’s a very clever inventive little dog and loves having an audience and we all clap when she comes up with something new.

Marybel’s circle of friends is spreading wider every day and even includes the postman. It was very strange, one morning when I rushed to the gate to ‘rescue’ him – someone had told me he’s afraid of dogs, Marybel was jumping up at the gate and I wanted to call her off. To my amazement, she slipped under the gate and jumped into his arms – I was horrified, but he was laughing and saying “Marybel and I have been friends for years,and I adore her!”

I’m obviously not a very good gate watcher, but it was very charming to see what good friends they have been for years.

Derek and Richard arranged a wonderful Birthday Party for me, I won’t tell you how many years, we won’t mention the number but it was enormous fun! I set off early for London, went to the service in my favourite church in St John’s Wood and then moved on to the most glorious party. Arabella’s children, Orlando & Allegra are marvellously talented and the entertainment was so wonderful – an opening speech from Orlando and a song form Allegra standing on her chair, it was so kind – it really was the happiest day for me – Derek and Richard are the most wonderful all round laughs – I felt I was floating on a cloud for days and I’m sure Maryb got the message.

I’ve just received the Crufts Souvenir Show Guide – to my greatest delight, the cover picture is of 2 Irish Terriers, one slightly in front of the other which makes it a charming picture 

– I could not be more delighted!

Do keep sending your pictures for this year’s on line calendar
We want to start a ‘Letters’ page so we can share some of your lovely messages, so please do keep writing!

On with the summer – with much love and many blessings to you and the dogs.