Old friends with never a cross bark

MY two canine pals go by the name of Brandy and Oscar. To refer to them as canine pals is misleading, they are much-loved members of my family and they are fondly referred to as ‘The Boys’.

Brandy (a red Welsh corgi) and Oscar (a black long-haired miniature dachshund) are both 13 years old and hail from Antrim and Kerry.

Prior to their arrival we always had only one house dog. It is the interaction and friendship between the two dogs that is so special to observe and be part of.

They are great old friends with never a cross bark between them. They share a bed together in the kitchen, though like a married couple who battle over the duvet, Oscar tends to fare better in the comfort stakes with most of the bed and blanket taken for himself.

They live in a very busy household and amble along very nicely with the different goings on around them. Mornings are their busiest time and after their breakfast, Brandy and Oscar accompany me up to the yard to bring in the turf and then back inside to set the fire. Out we go again to ‘do the bottles’ (we have a pub and bottles need to be recycled) and while I get on with my job, the boys run around and chase the birds. Despite never having any success, they never give up… it’s a funny sight!

They boys have the run of the house and though we repeatedly agree that they are not to be allowed upstairs, the rule doesn’t last very long and very often our friends can be found sleeping in our bedroom.

They say a dog’s love is like no other and this is most obvious when we return home from holidays, they would almost knock you down with their enthusiastic welcome, it warms our hearts.

As the boys grow older, quite a lot in dog years, it saddens me to see them slowing down. My five grown-up children often accuse me of loving the dogs more than them — and though I strongly refute that statement, I have to my admit that my beloved friends Brandy and Oscar hold a very special place in my heart. Sean O’Donohoe, Abbeyknockmoy, Tuam, Co Galway

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