Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.

The Old Farmer is up and about early washing the little canary yellow car that belonged to his wife.The motion detectors on his balcony have been connected to the forest of Christmas lights that trail along his gutters and which blaze merrily away . " I'm washing the car " he shouts out as Angus and the PONs head off on our first walk of the day. I think of saying something witty but opt for a non-committal wave. Our neighbour is wearing his voluminous 1950's military issue khaki shorts, wellington boots and his green and black plaid fur trappers hat.

On our return Sophie discovers ' Fat Lamb ' in the rosemary border. It went missing in April. She spends much of her morning destuffing her find. ' Fat Lamb' is not indestructible. Thankfully, ' Fat Lambs' high pitched squeaker is one of the first things to be disemboweled and discarded.

When Sophie wanders off to chase a collar dove Bob moves in on the abandoned toy. He ends up in possession not only of 'Fat Lamb' but also of a heavily weathered  ''Lamb on a Rope'' that has been buried in the laurel hedge. Bob does a triumphant tour of the garden, head high, with both these trophies clasped firmly between his jaws. This is canine multi-tasking par excellence or in this case PONcellence.

His sister in incandescent with rage / jealousy / frustration and voices her displeasure.

Calm is restored with a trip to the bakers. Nothing like croissant slivers to help a family diva forget her brothers oafishness.

There is no sign of the day-glo yellow toy that Bob liberated earlier in the week.

This blog author continues to be amazed at the PONs ' Why walk when you can run ? ' zest for life.