On September 2nd, 2016 we got the opportunity to walk Irish Wolf Hounds on the grounds of Ashford Castle and the surrounding forests.  The black dog’s name was Cronan, and the white dog’s name was Garbin.  They were two and a half years old and weighted 140 lbs each.

Here is seven year old Hope’s account of our experience:

     Cornan and Garbin are Irish Wolf Hounds and were designed to hunt wolfs and they still have their instincts. 

     The dogs were kept in a huge truck and when they came out they ran all over the field.   The dogs were huge and really sweet and slobbery because they loved to lick your hands.  The dogs did a play fight down by the water.  

     We walked them in the forest.  They were “slowish fast.”  Garbin, the white dog, pounced on a rock, and settled it down in front of him, then tossed it forward. He destroyed the forest floor around him as he went after the rock!  It was a mess!   

     Also, at the end we both Joy and I got to walk the dogs (on lead lines) and give them treats and my left hand got all slobbered.  

     After breakfast we took pictures with them and five people could fit around the dog it was so big.  When the white dog was standing up with his front paws on a broomstick he was taller than papa.  And the owner gave him a sausage for a treat.  He also laid down so we could pet him.  

Those huge dogs were so slobbery and fun to walk!