Last night when we were finished our evening meal & sitting talking in the kitchen, with my daughter, who calls every Thursday, I heard a yelp in the distance. Then heard it a few times before I drew attention to it.

I thought the badger had brought her young out into the garden maybe, so we turned on all the outside lights & we listened & now & again it came. Nothing in sight. The dog was outside, so we called & whistled for him, but no reply only a cough & a yelp.

Joe got his torch & we all went outside & up the back garden to look for him, but could'nt see him anywhere. We followed the sound & lo & behold,down a hole Joe had dug for a manhole, there poor Poitin was stuck. Joe put a plank down for him to climb up, but either he is too old or too scard he never climbed up. Joe had to get down into the hole & lift him out.

He was that scared he scampered into the porch & up onto his chair, where he slept till this morning. Luckily he is o.k. but I have to wash him after this as he is filthy. Never a dull moment here.

Pat.

p.s. Always cover holes, even in the garden.