If you want to laugh.

When we arrived at The Rickety Old Farmhouse the library was a dirt floored space used for storing tractors. Concrete was poured, walls plastered, power installed and book cases built. The floor was supposed to be tiled but the joiner finished before the tiler started. It then proved to be difficult to lay tiles around the bookcases. Instead the floor is painted with tough Farrow and Ball paint impervious to just about anything. Anything that is apart from one of Sophie's ' I have to dig to Australia' moments. Her scratching tears it up. Last night was a let me get to Australia night.

Today Angus starts repainting the floor. The PONs, although keen to become involved, are banished. Wet paint and paws are not a calming combination. A parcel is delivered. '' You've got something from America " says the post lady. 'The Font' opens it and finds a children's book.

While Angus paints 'The Font' starts to read aloud. Voices are used to differentiate between characters. '' What in heavens name was that supposed to be ? " I ask. 'An elephant of course '. Lucky the villagers can't see or hear us. Two supposed grown ups roaring with laughter. The dogs master with a paint brush in one hand and a glass of Margaux in the other.

A PON owner is bound to be enthralled by a Christmas tale about a Polish Lowland Sheepdog . However, if you want to laugh or if you want to make others laugh or if you love dogs or know someone who does then this is a book for you. If it was being reviewed in the New York Review of Books people would comment on its brio and narrative skill and enormous verve. As it's being talked about here lets just say it's sweet and kind and warm and witty and an antidote to cynicism and harshness. Oh, and did I say there's a PON in it ?

It can be ordered from a lady in Atlanta with a PON called Edward, here : http://www.pamelaterry.net/