In an effort to make up for the lack of attention Murphy has been getting since baby T arrived, i’ve tried to factor her into as many outings as possible, and September being so sunny and dry has allowed a few dog friendly alfresco dining opportunities.

The Secret  Bar aka No 3 Fade street, Dublin 2 is open for brunch on saturday and sunday. They allow dogs in the upstairs, outside eating area. The brunch is usually good. Had the black pudding and egg salad today which wasn’t great, so Murphs got plenty of scraps so she gave the place the big paws up!

She really likes the Cake Cafe - it’s very doggie friendly, we sit outside under the bike sheds. I get the baked eggs and coffee and she has a bowl of tap water, Dublin 8 vintage and a couple of buttered soldiers that came with my baked eggs. It really is a dogs life!

The Lennox Bistro in portobello is good, but can get a bit messy when all the outside tables have mutts looking to sniff each other. The crab salad is yum. Murphy doesn’t get to share! She took a shine to Dennis Hickie who was lunching with some friends. She has good taste

Her all time favourite dining destination is Iveagh gardens . Stop at Mortons behind the Harcourt Luas stop and pick up a take away lunch. The parks quieter than Stephens Green and has plenty of benches for eating and a waterfall, rose garden and maze to keep the animals entertained.  The day we visited was really sunny – plenty of office workers had the same idea as us – she turned on her doggie charm and got well fed!

The diet starts next week