My sister and her family are off on holidays for a few weeks to California, so we’ve welcomed a little house guest,  Chico, the miniature  yorkshire terrier!

It’s been great having him about the house, he’s so well behaved and just loves hanging out while we work in the studio or relaxing by the window watching the comings and goings in Stoneypath.

Chico’s really been enjoying his holiday, days spent gazing out the window watching the world go by and exploring new territory. Last week Margaret came home and he slipped out the door when she wasn’t looking. When she eventually realised he was nowhere to be seen she spent an hour combing every inch of the park for Chico but to no avail. There was one sighting of a Chico lookalike, but a phone call to my brother, Conal, to see what colour the dog was confirmed the runaway was still at large! A worried Margaret came home to face the music, only to find Chico calmly waiting at the front door as if this had been the arranged meeting point all along!

Jenny has especially enjoyed having Chico to stay, she’s been bathing and grooming him and he’s been sleeping in her bed. On Friday night she didn’t put him out and when she woke up realised that Chico had an accident (or five). Margaret was nowhere to be seen when I suggested cleaning it up and Jenny ran a mile, so it was up to me. With jumper over my face and mop in hand I took to the job as Jenny stood and watched and she giggled and then roared with laughter as I slipped on it and went on my ear!

It’s been really cool having Chico to stay and it may very well have put us in the mood to get a dog ourselves – watch this space!