Tag Archives: Daisy

Well, I was rudely awakened very early one Monday morning and after a flurry of activity, found myself in my new doggie seat in the back of the car. We seemed to have a bit of luggage with us so I was wondering where we were off to. It seemed a bit more than a weekend’s worth anyway. After a bit of a snooze, I woke up and herself left the car outside Kildare to meet a friend, while himself and I continued on to Dublin. We arrived at a big hotel and parked in the underground car park. Himself had a meeting and as the meeting rooms were underground he tried to sneak me in. Unfortunately, we were spotted and I hadn’t even settled myself in the room before the management came in and asked if I was a registered assistance dog. Now, I’m Ireland’s only roving reporter but unfortunately I don’t even have a press card, so I …

I was rudely awakened early one morning from the dreamless and before I knew it I was strapped into the car and we were off down the road. It turned out herself had an early appointment and that’s what had disturbed my morning. I slept away in the back of the car so I didn’t immediately realise that instead of going home, we were going on to Galway city. As usual when we’re in Galway, himself took me for a stroll around the city, with plenty of wandering around book shops. I’m not a great dog for reading myself – it’s hard to hold the book with paws – but I had no objection to walking around and being admired and stopping at McCambridges for a swift dogguccino. Later on, we met up with herself, her friend Susan and Susan’s granddaughter Amber and we had a great chat over a drink in Tigh Neachtain. After another stroll around town, we …

Early one morning I woofed instructions at my hoomans and we were packed and on our way. I was bringing my Daddy away for Father’s Day so I directed the car up the road. When I told them to come off the motorway at Portlaoise, they knew we were going to one of our favourite places, BrookLodge. I had an ulterior motive, too. I wanted to meet Lewis, the new resident dog. My good friend Oscar crossed rainbow bridge recently and while nobody could ever replace him, I really wanted to meet Lewis. We arrived just in time to get settled and go down for one of their lovely pizzas and as we ate in the bar, I was able to stay. I didn’t get to try the pizza but it smelled delicious. The next morning we were having breakfast on the terrace when who came out for a visit only Lewis. He’s still learning the hotel trade so he’s …

Well I’ve finally reached the teen years. I’m officially a teenager having had my 13th birthday last weekend. Do I feel different? Apart from wanting to go to the teens’ disco on a Friday night, I can’t say that I do. I’m still rearing to go anywhere as long as I have my hoomans with me. And what a lovely birthday weekend they organised for me – the best ever! We were a bit late leaving Ennis so it was straight up the motorway and even though we stopped once, I didn’t bother getting out to stretch my legs. Once we’d parked, I recognised the river so I knew we were in Dublin. We walked by the river for a few minutes until we reached a place called Temple Bar. I’m told it’s party central in Dublin city but I’ve never been allowed to visit until now. It must be one of the privileges of becoming a teenager. What did …

Well, I have the paws walked off me this month. It’s all down to the Guide Dogs for the Blind. I admire them greatly for the job they do so I’m delighted to be doing the 100k challenge for the month of May. Imagine, I have to go walkies for a full 100 kilometres – it’s no wonder I’m whacked. I never thought I’d be able to complete the full distance but I’m well over 80k now so I know I’m going to do it. I’ve had some lovely walks in Lees Road and Coole Park and a lot of walkies end with a dogguccino so all the hard work is worth it. Of course, the real reason I’m doing all these walks is to raise money to train Guide Dogs so if you’d like to help, the link is guide-dog-day-2021.raisely.com/walkieswithdaisymay. I had a wonderful walk last week with my friend Cassie and I hope to complete my 100k with …

A LIFE-SAVING dog who helped its owner escape from a devastating fire has been hailed as a ‘Clare Covid Hero’. Former county councillor and well-known Clarecastle man Bernard Hanrahan narrowly escaped with his life after his home was engulfed in flames late last year. Bernard, known locally as the Bomber, was saved after being alerted to the blaze at his home in Barntick by his beloved dog Daisy’s incessant barking in the early hours of the morning. Daisy has now been named among the winners of the Clare Covid Hero award celebrating the county’s everyday heroes who have been supporting others during the pandemic. Luckily nobody was injured in the fire, however the house, which had been in the family for three generations, was extensively damaged and priceless photographs and memorabilia have been lost. The award certificate was presented to Daisy this week by Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Mary Howard, who also had a surprise for Bernard. She was …

A CLARE community have rallied together to raise funds for a former county councillor whose family home went up in flames last Christmas. The Clarecastle home of former Fianna Fáil representative Bernard ‘Bomber’ Hanrahan was destroyed on the night of December 27. Fortunately Bernard managed to escape the blaze when he was alerted to the danger by his dog Daisy. However the fire destroyed the house in Barntick which has been in the Hanrahan family for generations. Now in an effort to help rebuild the family home a fundraising appeal has been launched. The United for The Bomber and Daisy campaign is aiming to raise €30,000, with close to €5,000 of that target raised just one day after the GoFundMe page went live. Organiser of the campaign Seamus Sullivan stated, “While insurance will go some way towards replacing the physical infrastructure, a lifetime of memories and mementos have been lost in the flames. Bernard Hanrahan is known far and wide …

Well, I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas break. I know it was a bit different from other years but that didn’t make it any worse. Before the real lockdown happened, I got the chance to pay a flying visit to two of my favourite places – Brooklodge in Wicklow and The Twelve in Barna. We hardly stirred from either hotel, with lazy days spent snoozing in the room or in the lounge. A change is as good as a rest and snoozing in different surroundings is very refreshing I always find. I had some sad news in BrookLodge though. My friend Oscar went to Doggie Heaven a few weeks before our arrival. I’ll miss him as he was always good for a laugh and a gossip. He had a lovely, long, happy life though and that’s all a dog ever wants. On the way to Galway from BrookLodge, we stopped in Dublin to meet my Aunty Aileen and we …