As mentioned in the last blog Eric’s dog, Oiche, was quite clearly with pup. Well, she isn’t anymore!

Last wednesday, while drinking and enjoying the merriment in the bar at Swan Island, Eric, having been requested to give us a tune, went to his boat for his whistle. He was quite a long time and finally burst in the doors to tell us that Oiche had gone into labour. With the music now firmly second fiddle, we all returned to his boat to drink tea and watch events unfold. Three pups were born in the early hours of thursday and, a little after four am, we went to bed thinking it was all over and relieved to see all the dogs were well. At ten the following morning there were still three healthy little pups. At midday there were six: five bitches and one dog.  In honour of the spot that the pups were born they are known as Swan Island terriers and the first, a massive bruiser so large we all thought Oiche was going to have no more than four pups, was called Pat after the owner of Swan Island. Initially we thought this pup was male but subsequent developments have made it clear that Pat is a bitch.

A few days had passed and all is well. The dogs have been named after the spot that they were born. So we have:  Lough, Gara, Dice, ( Lough Garadice) Eala (Swan) Oilean (Island) and Patty (Pat until the gender issue was cleared up!).

The cute rating of the Misfit Mariners has soared and if Eric cannot pull with the line: “Do you want to see my puppies?”, then there is no hope for him.