May 29th Sunday. Ants & family for the day: all went very happily. Dommy riding the rocking horse and playing with the doll house, both of them playing with Ants in the garden in intervals of bright sunshine between sounds of rain, and Rowy bringing in a handful of somewhat wilted daisies to make a daisy chain on the hearthrug & (a great breakthrough) playing with Sebastian. Sheila produced a really traditional Sunday Dinner.
‘Ants’ is me. The references are to my two children, Dominic and Rowan. The ‘breakthrough’ reference is to both children, and my wife, being terrified of Sebastian the chihuahua – who did yap noisily and was prone to nip all and sundry!
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF (1920-92) 
After reading this post, it is obvious why Anthony’s dad considered Sutcliff’s dogs untraditional pets at best. It’s apparent Ants’ dear godmother liked her animal companions even when they were quite untraditional.
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