The limo pulled carefully up to our home. Leaning against the cushions I gave a sigh of joy and relief. If I had to sit any longer at that atrocious dinner and hear one more story from Charles and that witch of a wife he has I was gonna snap. Tony had to smile politely and listen, mostly because as the Prime Minister he's required to do so. But a couple of side looks my way let me know he was also this close to throttling both of them with their napkins. He detests both of them as much as I do.

With a couple of grateful sighs we both struggled out of the limo and mad our way back up the steps toward our home. Tony turned to me. "Well, THAT was an experience!" And I had to laugh. When we got in he said he was going to go into the kitchen and get himself a brandy. I didn't mind,I wanted to go up into my room anyway. After the night I had there was only one I wanted to be with. Only one I definitely wanted to talk to. I only hoped she was here and not on another one of her little outings. One of the maids offered to make me some tea and I thanked her graciously.

I got out of my stiff new dress and snuggled into my bathrobe before settling down into my favorite chair. Was my sweetheart here? I hoped she was. Sometimes she's the only thing that can help me relax and bring me joy. "Colleen!" I called out, slapping my thigh three times. "Colleen, are you here? Come here, Dear." Happily I heard the familiar sound of her little paws on the tile floor..and my favorite pet, my reddish-brown and white collie dog came into the room. I slapped the head of my lap and she came to it eagerly, getting up and laying her head on my lap. "Hello, Baby," I scratched her between her ears. She barked happily as I sipped my tea. "You will NOT believe the night I had tonight! I tell you, the more I am around those royals, the more I envy the US for having a President." I put down my teacup and picked up her hairbrush that I keep near my bed. I started to brush her lovely fur as I talked. I tell you, my life has been filled with joy ever since we adopted Colleen. There is absolutely nothing like a dog. They always listen whenever you talk to them, and even doing somthing as small as tossing one of their squeaky toys in the air for them to catch is a wonderful way to forget your troubles. Some says there is just nothing more I love to do than just sit down, brush her fur, and talk with her about things that have happened to me today. She can make me feel so much better just by being there! Dogs are wonderful..and I'm lucky that Colleen is mine.

"I swear those people are so rich but it's not like they're appreciative!" Colleen barked at me. "I know, Honey." I sighed and hugged my dog. "Oh, I love you, Colleen. I wish you knew how to talk."

Tony came in just then, laughing a bit when he saw us together. "I swear, Cherie, you spoil that dog mercilessly!"

"Oh, hush up, Tony," I snapped. "I missed her terribly tonight. After that nightmare of a dinner we had to sit though I welcome her presence greatly!" I hugged her gentily. "That's right, baby! Oh, I missed you, I missed you so much!"
"You definitely indulge her tremendously, I swear. I'm surprised you don't hand feed her at night!"

"Oh, Tony," I said, shaking my head. "Do YOU want to play with her then?"

"No, thank you, Cheri, I lave that honor to you. She's YOUR dog."

"Yes, MY dog, and I couldn't ask for a better one." I finished brushing her hair. I picked up her little sqeaky toy banana and tossed it to her, She eagerly scooped it up and raced over to me with it in hr mouth. I had to laugh and pet her again while I tossed it a few times, pretending it was Camilla's hair! Finally I began to lead her outside toward her doghouse. "I think I have tomorrow free, Dear. How about a walk? Just the two of us in the morning, right around the park. Just us women. Would you like that?" Colleen barked her approval. "That settles it, then! We women have to get our exercise you know! To bed now, Dear. See you tomorrow!"

When I woke in the morning, I was surprised to feel something rather heavy at the foot of my bed. Stirring quietly so I wouldn't wake up Tony I sat up. "Colleen!" I cried happily. My sweet dog was draped at the foot of my bed. She usually sleeps in her doghouse like a good girl, but sometimes she sneaks out to sleep at the foot of my bed. I think she's really sweet to share herself, though I sometimes DO wonder what makes her so tired that she would figure a bed with me would be more comfy than her doghouse. Sometimes in the mornings I can't find her at all! She takes early morning outings, which of course are none of my business. But lately it's been too cold for that. "You are such a good dog," a whispered, rubbing her paws in my hand. "Oh, your pads are cold! It must be getting cold on the floor at night. Colleen licked my hand and gave me a doggy smile. "Thanks." I scooted her off the bed and carefully got up myself, heading for the shower with Colleen at my heels. One of my aides came over just then.

"Madame, do you want me to take her out?"
"Yes, just let her in the backyard for now. Give her her breakfast ad I'll be out to see her in a little while."

"Should I take her for her walk, Madame?"

"No, not today. I'll be taking her out for a walk in a little while so please have her leash ready to go after I've eaten. "

I little while later I was outside brushing her fur and snapping her leash in place. "There, Dear. All set to go?" She barked eagerly. "Then let's be on our way, to the park!" We took off happily down the sidewalk, as usual me doing all the talking and her doing all the listening. She's better to be with sometimes than Tony! "So, anyway, Dear, I could tell Tony wanted to leave as badly as I did, but you know him. He has to be Dutiful Prime Minister and stay until we're both panicking with absolute boredom!" I laughed at that. "What ca you do, huh? Well, we women have to do the best we can!" I shook my head. "Oh, Dear, I doubt very much YOU'D know how it feels to b surrounded by men!" I laughed. "Unless you've had a few gentilemen callers in the middle of the night, Young Lady!" I teased. When we reached the entrance to the park, there were quite a lot of people there already. Yet, Colleen and I made an entrance. Soon a lot of people were talking to us…but mostly wanted to pet Colleen.

"What a lovely dog!" One women said. "May I pet her?"

"Of course!" Colleen is so friendly. She loves to be petted.

"Oh, she's so soft. What's her name?"

"Colleen."

"It's a pretty name! She's lovely."

"Thank you. Hr Dog Groomer is to thank for that!"

A while later I was sitting on a bench in the park tossing Colleen's squeaky banana toward her. Just then I heard a huge snap coming from the bushes behind me. For a moment I jumped…but then laughed. Colleen froze a bit, but I petted her. "Don't worry, Dear, I bet it was just a raccoon. Colleen's sweet, but she's so protective of our family! But then suddenly a woman jumped out from behind a bush, startling me to the Dickens! All I could hear was a thick Scottish voice.

"Good at see ya, Mrs. Blair!"