Here is the last day of the year and Mom is not keeping up the Schatzi achievement blog.
She always moans and complains about her hip and cries that it is stuck again. Dad has to come and pry her of the computer chair. So the sessions are getting shorter and entries about Molly and me are getting neglected. Why don't you just sit there so you don't have to get up at all, Dad will feed you and Molly will bring you chewies. I 'll keep my squeakies.
I even moved my former secure zone basket and fortress closer to Mom's computer.
I now mostly live in the " cave " under the teddy bear carriage.
Molly sleeps one story higher among all the bears on the couch. If there is a security breach happening, I move into the bunker. One level deeper, where nobody can get me. Especially if that girl shows up with another one just like her. This one is Julia from Germany.
Molly and I took over the big window and Mom had no idea where to put the Christmas tree this year .
We like to watch the world from the window seat, so there is no room for a tree.
We watch the Marine march by, see 4 little kids with new battery powered cars, and most of all we cannot miss the fox who comes at 4:30 sharp and walks by to the backyard for dinner.
I had to see the vet again - this time because of allergies. Liz, from the doggie salon, must have used something that did not agree with me. I was scratching my ear, biting my feet and spinning on my rear because I could not reach everything that itched. After a shot and pills things calmed down. Now there is an oatmeal shampoo waiting for the next grooming.
It is incredibly cold . It snowed and I play with the green Willies outside. I am well winterized with a heavy fur and having fun outside is easy. Poor Molly has to race inside before she freezes up. That seems to be a dachshund thing. She has a beautiful wardrobe, but it does not help her paws.
That's it for this year
So to all of you a very happy WOOF !
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The new SUV
Dad has the new car itch for a long time .
He researches everything that can be researched, from actually looking at the car lots on Sundays to the resale values down the road.
Sooner or later I have to give in --- but what is the hurry now ?
We have the old Lincoln 17 years and except for doubling the value any time you fill 'er up, there is nothing wrong with it. Except maybe for the shocks, floating around corner that make me sea sick, the need for new tires and battery, the ripped seat and the hail dimpled skin --- the car is fine and the doggies love it.
Besides there are not too many around anymore. You can go for days without seeing one on the road. And what for a distinct silhouette.
Loaded with knowledge and always the comfort of the " girls " in mind, Dad decided on a car. All I had to do was test drive it and make sure, that I really wanted it. Of course I don't want it - I want my old Town car, why can't I keep it ?
Okay, this one is a little rocket and the dogs won't mind the back seat.
But, I wanted to see it in white actually on a car and not only on a color chart.
There was none, so the salesman brought another car around, --- which we bought on the spot.
I like the " Blizzard White " , I can get in and out without a foot stool and I can see the street, which should make everyone else on the road very happy.
Molly seems to have a problem with it. She is stressed , her tongue is hanging out and she is huffing and puffing. She stands on the console between the front seats and can never relax. The girls have the same doggie seat as in the old car but we can't make Molly sit in the back. Even Schatzi most of the time prefers to stay at home.
They sit in the window , smile happily and watch us leave.
He researches everything that can be researched, from actually looking at the car lots on Sundays to the resale values down the road.
Sooner or later I have to give in --- but what is the hurry now ?
We have the old Lincoln 17 years and except for doubling the value any time you fill 'er up, there is nothing wrong with it. Except maybe for the shocks, floating around corner that make me sea sick, the need for new tires and battery, the ripped seat and the hail dimpled skin --- the car is fine and the doggies love it.
Besides there are not too many around anymore. You can go for days without seeing one on the road. And what for a distinct silhouette.
Loaded with knowledge and always the comfort of the " girls " in mind, Dad decided on a car. All I had to do was test drive it and make sure, that I really wanted it. Of course I don't want it - I want my old Town car, why can't I keep it ?
Okay, this one is a little rocket and the dogs won't mind the back seat.
But, I wanted to see it in white actually on a car and not only on a color chart.
There was none, so the salesman brought another car around, --- which we bought on the spot.
I like the " Blizzard White " , I can get in and out without a foot stool and I can see the street, which should make everyone else on the road very happy.
Molly seems to have a problem with it. She is stressed , her tongue is hanging out and she is huffing and puffing. She stands on the console between the front seats and can never relax. The girls have the same doggie seat as in the old car but we can't make Molly sit in the back. Even Schatzi most of the time prefers to stay at home.
They sit in the window , smile happily and watch us leave.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Spitz weather
The most beautiful fall in many years got interrupted by a little rain mixed with a very nice loud thunder storm.
Schatzi did remember the thunder from the summer and promptly disappeared into Dad's very secret safety refuge hiding place. It apparently was not safe enough, so she changed to sitting under the doll carriage, back again into her basket and fortress and then sneaking upstairs again. I have not seen her so invisible in a long time, head down low and the short little tail almost on the floor.
That rain included also a very small swath of " wintery mix ", a meteorological speak. Just a few blocks of wet snow, and if you did not happen to be there you would have never known.
We call the cool temps " Spitz weather ", just right for a round spherical fur ball, with a double coat.
Having poked around in the German Spitz site, I am still not sure if Schatzi is a "Kleinspitz " or a " Mittelspitz ", or possibly just a " Zwergspitz ". But according to their specifications not a Pomeranian.
We don't care. She is the sweetest little smiley face whatever Spitz she is.
Dental care for the two doggies is so much easier than a few years ago. Waldi had the worst teeth of all of them. Because of his heart problem we never wanted to have him put under anesthetic . And when it could not be avoided anymore, he lost more than half of his teeth.
Schatzi and Molly get a small amount of Oxyfresh into their water. Oxy contains enzymes, which helps to keep tartar off. There are also coated chewies that will do the same .
Mollys evening activity includes sitting on the big window, keeping a sharp eye for anything that might move in the darkness and telling us all about it. She barks and growls and her little motor is constantly running. If needed, Schatzi comes dashing up on the window bench and helps out.
I try to describe Schatzi's voice, so totally different than any dachsie :
She sings like a hoarse mezzo soprano with a vibrato.
Dad calls it gargling.
Schatzi did remember the thunder from the summer and promptly disappeared into Dad's very secret safety refuge hiding place. It apparently was not safe enough, so she changed to sitting under the doll carriage, back again into her basket and fortress and then sneaking upstairs again. I have not seen her so invisible in a long time, head down low and the short little tail almost on the floor.
That rain included also a very small swath of " wintery mix ", a meteorological speak. Just a few blocks of wet snow, and if you did not happen to be there you would have never known.
We call the cool temps " Spitz weather ", just right for a round spherical fur ball, with a double coat.
Having poked around in the German Spitz site, I am still not sure if Schatzi is a "Kleinspitz " or a " Mittelspitz ", or possibly just a " Zwergspitz ". But according to their specifications not a Pomeranian.
We don't care. She is the sweetest little smiley face whatever Spitz she is.
Dental care for the two doggies is so much easier than a few years ago. Waldi had the worst teeth of all of them. Because of his heart problem we never wanted to have him put under anesthetic . And when it could not be avoided anymore, he lost more than half of his teeth.
Schatzi and Molly get a small amount of Oxyfresh into their water. Oxy contains enzymes, which helps to keep tartar off. There are also coated chewies that will do the same .
Mollys evening activity includes sitting on the big window, keeping a sharp eye for anything that might move in the darkness and telling us all about it. She barks and growls and her little motor is constantly running. If needed, Schatzi comes dashing up on the window bench and helps out.
I try to describe Schatzi's voice, so totally different than any dachsie :
She sings like a hoarse mezzo soprano with a vibrato.
Dad calls it gargling.
Monday, October 4, 2010
That girl again !
The last hummer left about 2 weeks ago, we don't hear the crow with the duck call anymore and September is gone completely. And with it, hopefully, also the never ending heat.
September was the hottest since records are kept here and to my great joy, there was a tad of frost on the roofs on the 2. of October.
Crissy drove from Pittsburgh for a short stint to visit her house on the West side.
Schatzi is mostly beside herself.
She can tolerate practically everybody, especially if it looks like they just come for a short visit. Unless of course, they want to walk down stairs to the toilet paper museum. Then they get blasted with a warfare woof.
But with Crissy it is a different thing.
Holy cow, she even looks like she wants to belong to the family ! Did we not get just rid of her last spring ?
Schatzi is sitting in her safety zone basket and fortress, watching Crissy's every move with eagle eyes.
What are you walking on my kitchen floor ... bark bark ....... stay away from me ... bark bark bark .... not too close to the table ...bark bark .... you don't need to sit ..... what, you are setting the table...... you mean you want to stay for dinner .......you are kidding me, right ?......absolutely no sleeping in this house !! .... Why don't you get quiet feet ........ bark ... I hate heels .....well, okay just one little petting if it has to be.
Schatzi figured out, if we make Crissy sit against the wall on the Eckbank, she can't get out. So the little Spitz peeks around the corner into the dining room and dashes up onto the window seat. Close to Dad and safely away from that girl.
We have no idea what makes her so afraid. The only thing could be, she resembles someone in the puppy mill.
Molly on the other hand found someone else to cuddle with.
She even joyfully goes on long walks with Crissy.
All is well, as long as they walk out and come back home the same route. A loop confuses Molly.
Crissy stopped to talk with Bill next door, and after a little while, Molly waited long enough. This guy looks like he has a house.
Let's go inside....... we might never find our's again.
September was the hottest since records are kept here and to my great joy, there was a tad of frost on the roofs on the 2. of October.
Crissy drove from Pittsburgh for a short stint to visit her house on the West side.
Schatzi is mostly beside herself.
She can tolerate practically everybody, especially if it looks like they just come for a short visit. Unless of course, they want to walk down stairs to the toilet paper museum. Then they get blasted with a warfare woof.
But with Crissy it is a different thing.
Holy cow, she even looks like she wants to belong to the family ! Did we not get just rid of her last spring ?
Schatzi is sitting in her safety zone basket and fortress, watching Crissy's every move with eagle eyes.
What are you walking on my kitchen floor ... bark bark ....... stay away from me ... bark bark bark .... not too close to the table ...bark bark .... you don't need to sit ..... what, you are setting the table...... you mean you want to stay for dinner .......you are kidding me, right ?......absolutely no sleeping in this house !! .... Why don't you get quiet feet ........ bark ... I hate heels .....well, okay just one little petting if it has to be.
Schatzi figured out, if we make Crissy sit against the wall on the Eckbank, she can't get out. So the little Spitz peeks around the corner into the dining room and dashes up onto the window seat. Close to Dad and safely away from that girl.
We have no idea what makes her so afraid. The only thing could be, she resembles someone in the puppy mill.
Molly on the other hand found someone else to cuddle with.
She even joyfully goes on long walks with Crissy.
All is well, as long as they walk out and come back home the same route. A loop confuses Molly.
Crissy stopped to talk with Bill next door, and after a little while, Molly waited long enough. This guy looks like he has a house.
Let's go inside....... we might never find our's again.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
In the Hospital again
Schatzi did not feel good.
We would have never known, because she was playing like every other morning.
Squeaking the green Willy, racing up the bed stairs, throwing her toys on the floor, looking over the edge to see how far away they landed, then dashing off and catching the squeaky. Up into bed ---- she huffs and puffs , the tongue is hanging out -- but she never gets tired of this game.
Molly in the meantime sleeps in the race track and gets run over frequently.
Breakfast is served --- and no takers.
It is nothing new for Molly, she barely is ever interested, a little sniff and she walks away.
Schatzi cleans her bowl and moves over to Molly's, seeing how vigilant is mom this morning and how much she can sneak before it is snatched up.
Her food stayed untouched and she showed no interest to see what Molly left.
Dad cut way down on the peanut butter bites for the birds, because we were being invaded by the pigeon flock from the chimney across the street.
Schatzi was not interested and could not even be enticed by a little piece of Muenster cheese.
Okay, an upset tummy can happen. No reason to get worried.
During the day she vomited a little foam, tinged beige.
I am always looking for blood, but I still have no experience recognizing it.
Later came a torrent of dark brown liquid -- just like chocolate syrup.. Her snout was dirty and she had to have her feet washed off.
Of course, it is Sunday and the emergency vet's office cannot diagnose anything over the phone . I opted to wait to see our Doc. in the morning, unless things got worse.
Dr. Chmelka felt her tummy, which was tender, she was dehydrated again, bloody stool sample, blood test , fever, no parvo and no pancreatitis.
Schatzi had to stay in the hospital with an I V to be rehydrated again !
The doc was not sure what was the problem possibly a virus that causes intestinal bleeding....... rods.... white blood cells...... too much chemistry in his phone call
She got antibiotics and could go home in the evening, still with a catheter in her leg.
Schatzi was sooooo happy to get home ! She ate chicken and rice with water, another small meal before bedtime, everything stayed in and she had a good night's sleep.
Molly was very worried all day.
Every time the car stopped, we lost some one. Schatzi at the vet, mom at the pool, and when Dad asked her, if she would like to go with, she did not move.
The odds were really bad, Molly figured , she would be left behind the next time.
We would have never known, because she was playing like every other morning.
Squeaking the green Willy, racing up the bed stairs, throwing her toys on the floor, looking over the edge to see how far away they landed, then dashing off and catching the squeaky. Up into bed ---- she huffs and puffs , the tongue is hanging out -- but she never gets tired of this game.
Molly in the meantime sleeps in the race track and gets run over frequently.
Breakfast is served --- and no takers.
It is nothing new for Molly, she barely is ever interested, a little sniff and she walks away.
Schatzi cleans her bowl and moves over to Molly's, seeing how vigilant is mom this morning and how much she can sneak before it is snatched up.
Her food stayed untouched and she showed no interest to see what Molly left.
Dad cut way down on the peanut butter bites for the birds, because we were being invaded by the pigeon flock from the chimney across the street.
Schatzi was not interested and could not even be enticed by a little piece of Muenster cheese.
Okay, an upset tummy can happen. No reason to get worried.
During the day she vomited a little foam, tinged beige.
I am always looking for blood, but I still have no experience recognizing it.
Later came a torrent of dark brown liquid -- just like chocolate syrup.. Her snout was dirty and she had to have her feet washed off.
Of course, it is Sunday and the emergency vet's office cannot diagnose anything over the phone . I opted to wait to see our Doc. in the morning, unless things got worse.
Dr. Chmelka felt her tummy, which was tender, she was dehydrated again, bloody stool sample, blood test , fever, no parvo and no pancreatitis.
Schatzi had to stay in the hospital with an I V to be rehydrated again !
The doc was not sure what was the problem possibly a virus that causes intestinal bleeding....... rods.... white blood cells...... too much chemistry in his phone call
She got antibiotics and could go home in the evening, still with a catheter in her leg.
Schatzi was sooooo happy to get home ! She ate chicken and rice with water, another small meal before bedtime, everything stayed in and she had a good night's sleep.
Molly was very worried all day.
Every time the car stopped, we lost some one. Schatzi at the vet, mom at the pool, and when Dad asked her, if she would like to go with, she did not move.
The odds were really bad, Molly figured , she would be left behind the next time.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Fox , Bear and Wolves oh my !
A hint of rain, probably the last one this season. And a tiny dusting of snow on the Peak in the morning. It does not stay yet, but it looks like fall is not very far. The aspens in the high country are turning golden everywhere.
Dad built up the doggie seat in the Lincoln again.
The car is starting it's 17 th year and ever since the dachsies were riding in style.
Several soft sided suit cases were the base, followed by an old comforter to fill all the places where a little dog could fall in. The last layer is a huge green pillow, where everyone is sitting and watch the world dash by.
Schatzi was terrified in the car at first until she discovered people watching in busy parking lots.
Now she loves going anywhere and is very disappointed if she has to stay at home.
Molly of course is a pro at being in the car.
A pick up truck turned in front of us, with a sign on it that said : Yes, they are wolves !
In the bed were 2 huge kennels and part of a tall chain link fence. Out of the kennels looked 2 very big dark gray wolves, which came from the Colorado Wildlife Foundation .
Dad stopped beside the pick up in the next lane and Molly could not believe her eyes. She started to bark , Schatzi had no idea what it was all about until she saw the wolves staring down at her. What a bark concert ! Fearless little girls ..... the wolves could eat them just for an appetizer !
Red lights don't last forever and the guys in the pick up are probably still laughing.
Dad built up the doggie seat in the Lincoln again.
The car is starting it's 17 th year and ever since the dachsies were riding in style.
Several soft sided suit cases were the base, followed by an old comforter to fill all the places where a little dog could fall in. The last layer is a huge green pillow, where everyone is sitting and watch the world dash by.
Schatzi was terrified in the car at first until she discovered people watching in busy parking lots.
Now she loves going anywhere and is very disappointed if she has to stay at home.
Molly of course is a pro at being in the car.
A pick up truck turned in front of us, with a sign on it that said : Yes, they are wolves !
In the bed were 2 huge kennels and part of a tall chain link fence. Out of the kennels looked 2 very big dark gray wolves, which came from the Colorado Wildlife Foundation .
Dad stopped beside the pick up in the next lane and Molly could not believe her eyes. She started to bark , Schatzi had no idea what it was all about until she saw the wolves staring down at her. What a bark concert ! Fearless little girls ..... the wolves could eat them just for an appetizer !
Red lights don't last forever and the guys in the pick up are probably still laughing.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Window on the World
Molly staked out the window seat a long time ago and for a more comfy perch, the back of the couch by the window too.
There is not much action going on in our quiet street.
The UPS truck stops with screeching brakes , the mail man when it is almost dark, several dogs pass by taking their owners for a sniff, the neighbor has the audacity to park in his drive way and a lot of fast cars are dashing by.
The most exiting moments are a few little kids walking home from school.
And of course, there is a glimpse of Abbey.
Every time you wonder if she is still around, she puts in an appearance. She must be 20 some years old, she lives here ever since we moved into this house and this is 30 years ago.
Molly describes what is happening and the little Pomeranian hops up and down in front of the window on her hind legs and still can't see a thing.
Dad : We have to buy steps !
I say no way, the house is full.
We were looking for an easy solution and found it on the mantle.
We have a large flat wooden box with metal hinges that is occupied by a chain saw carved teddy bear.
This box was used for storing ammunition for a cannon.
We neither have the ordnance nor the cannon , but the box is a handy step up for Schatzi.
She mulled this new contraption over for a day, climbed on carefully and could not believe the big world out there. A little clumsy at first, and by the next try, Schatzi climbed on the window bench and is hooked ever since.
Jumping down needed a short lesson from Dad. Instead of flying about 6 feet and landing on her head, he showed her how to climb over the arm of the couch first ( with a trail of little cheese bites ) and then slowly hop onto the carpet.
She is a smart little girl and catches on real fast.
There is not much action going on in our quiet street.
The UPS truck stops with screeching brakes , the mail man when it is almost dark, several dogs pass by taking their owners for a sniff, the neighbor has the audacity to park in his drive way and a lot of fast cars are dashing by.
The most exiting moments are a few little kids walking home from school.
And of course, there is a glimpse of Abbey.
Every time you wonder if she is still around, she puts in an appearance. She must be 20 some years old, she lives here ever since we moved into this house and this is 30 years ago.
Molly describes what is happening and the little Pomeranian hops up and down in front of the window on her hind legs and still can't see a thing.
Dad : We have to buy steps !
I say no way, the house is full.
We were looking for an easy solution and found it on the mantle.
We have a large flat wooden box with metal hinges that is occupied by a chain saw carved teddy bear.
This box was used for storing ammunition for a cannon.
We neither have the ordnance nor the cannon , but the box is a handy step up for Schatzi.
She mulled this new contraption over for a day, climbed on carefully and could not believe the big world out there. A little clumsy at first, and by the next try, Schatzi climbed on the window bench and is hooked ever since.
Jumping down needed a short lesson from Dad. Instead of flying about 6 feet and landing on her head, he showed her how to climb over the arm of the couch first ( with a trail of little cheese bites ) and then slowly hop onto the carpet.
She is a smart little girl and catches on real fast.
A big Milestone
Schatzi achieved a tremendous milestone : She ate a few little pieces of cheese out of my hand !
Big deal , you say. All the dogs I knew practically took my hand off when you don't feed them fast enough.
For a mill dog to have enough trust to take something directly from one's hand is quite a feat.
It took Schatzi more than 5 months to feel secure enough to accept a treat without fear of being mistreated.
Eating the few little bites this time were not an accident like it happened a few times before.
She loves cheese, she reached for it and instantly realized, oh boy, this is really against all rules. The next bite then already was " no way " and she turned her head away. We just have to drop it into her basket and then she would pick it up and eat it. Or she would store it and keep watch over it.
Poor Molly, if she walked too close to Schatzi's basket, she get snarled at, had to detour around the wrinkled nose, the pulled up tiny teeth and the growling.
We tried it again with the same cheese, Muenster,and later with a bit of smoked turkey.
Schatzi took it again straight out of my hand.
For Dad to feed her out of his hand, took a day longer.
What a doggie ! She must finally feel comfortable with us.
Big deal , you say. All the dogs I knew practically took my hand off when you don't feed them fast enough.
For a mill dog to have enough trust to take something directly from one's hand is quite a feat.
It took Schatzi more than 5 months to feel secure enough to accept a treat without fear of being mistreated.
Eating the few little bites this time were not an accident like it happened a few times before.
She loves cheese, she reached for it and instantly realized, oh boy, this is really against all rules. The next bite then already was " no way " and she turned her head away. We just have to drop it into her basket and then she would pick it up and eat it. Or she would store it and keep watch over it.
Poor Molly, if she walked too close to Schatzi's basket, she get snarled at, had to detour around the wrinkled nose, the pulled up tiny teeth and the growling.
We tried it again with the same cheese, Muenster,and later with a bit of smoked turkey.
Schatzi took it again straight out of my hand.
For Dad to feed her out of his hand, took a day longer.
What a doggie ! She must finally feel comfortable with us.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Mollie's Really Big Hunt
Just when I thought the hunting season is slowing down, the yard is filling back up again.
The fox ran away from me !
It is getting dark early by now and it is still so hot, that the door stays open longer when the AC is not on.
There was the fox waiting for dinner !
I just wanted to introduce myself and ask if he prefers kidneys or heart.
I dashed down into the yard and he impolitely raced off and escaped over the fence.
Of course I got all the credit for being such a brave dachsie , because Schatzi is not going out in the late afternoon , let alone in the dark !
Now the yard is overstocked with Wildebeest. They walk around slowly and eat all my peanut butter sandwiches. If I fly like an arrow toward them, they lift off and scatter with lot's of noise. How much fun ! Andy calls them doves, I prefer Wildebeest.
Dad hurt his ankle and hobbles around with a pair of flip flops tied to his leg. The doc called this an air cast.
Early in the morning, Schatzi wakes Dad up so we have to go out and pee. I rather stay in bed, but this one time only it was really really really worth it !
Dad hobbles into the kitchen and slides the door open.
I knew this instant something really big was going on ! I raced left,to where the bird feeders are hanging and got into my best berserk barking mode. This is even a step higher than pandemonium barking.
The big red feeder had crashed on the ground and there was a gigantic black cat rooting through the dry plants. I was in awe of the gigantic cat, when I realized, the cat was a black bear !
Schatzi is scrambling down the stairs and Dad is yelling to us, to get back into the house immediately.
The bear ambled into the big spruce and started to climb up into the tree. The squirrels up there must have been scared out of their little peanut sized brains.
The scariest thing for them are cars. They never heard of a St. Bernhard sized black bear climbing up into their condo.
The bear changed its mind and jumped down the branches with lot's of noise, breaking some in the commotion. The bear reappears on the other side of the tree and heads for the fence. He climbed over it, just when the screaming woman from the Shut up House yells, " Oh my God, we have a bear ! "
So, there was another bear, maybe the mom or another cub.
I did not see the other bear, but one was enough for an exiting adventure so early in the morning.
Can you top having a bear in your own yard ?
Hardly.
The fox ran away from me !
It is getting dark early by now and it is still so hot, that the door stays open longer when the AC is not on.
There was the fox waiting for dinner !
I just wanted to introduce myself and ask if he prefers kidneys or heart.
I dashed down into the yard and he impolitely raced off and escaped over the fence.
Of course I got all the credit for being such a brave dachsie , because Schatzi is not going out in the late afternoon , let alone in the dark !
Now the yard is overstocked with Wildebeest. They walk around slowly and eat all my peanut butter sandwiches. If I fly like an arrow toward them, they lift off and scatter with lot's of noise. How much fun ! Andy calls them doves, I prefer Wildebeest.
Dad hurt his ankle and hobbles around with a pair of flip flops tied to his leg. The doc called this an air cast.
Early in the morning, Schatzi wakes Dad up so we have to go out and pee. I rather stay in bed, but this one time only it was really really really worth it !
Dad hobbles into the kitchen and slides the door open.
I knew this instant something really big was going on ! I raced left,to where the bird feeders are hanging and got into my best berserk barking mode. This is even a step higher than pandemonium barking.
The big red feeder had crashed on the ground and there was a gigantic black cat rooting through the dry plants. I was in awe of the gigantic cat, when I realized, the cat was a black bear !
Schatzi is scrambling down the stairs and Dad is yelling to us, to get back into the house immediately.
The bear ambled into the big spruce and started to climb up into the tree. The squirrels up there must have been scared out of their little peanut sized brains.
The scariest thing for them are cars. They never heard of a St. Bernhard sized black bear climbing up into their condo.
The bear changed its mind and jumped down the branches with lot's of noise, breaking some in the commotion. The bear reappears on the other side of the tree and heads for the fence. He climbed over it, just when the screaming woman from the Shut up House yells, " Oh my God, we have a bear ! "
So, there was another bear, maybe the mom or another cub.
I did not see the other bear, but one was enough for an exiting adventure so early in the morning.
Can you top having a bear in your own yard ?
Hardly.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Mollie is slowing down
This weekend is the official end of the summer. Balloon Festival and BBQs !
It is about time, because I absolutely hate the heat and I am sick of the days in the 90ties and upper 80ties.
The nights are quite a bit cooler already because of the clear air and lack of humidity in the high desert.
I promised I would not complain this summer about the heat, and I did not. Hating the heat does not qualify as complaining. Good thing is, I can always retreat into the AC when it is necessary.
Schatzi is acting strange for two days already.
Andy is wearing a new khaki shirt and he is wondering , if that color might cause flash backs from her bad life in the mill.
She is barking at him , bolting out of her basket and sliding along the floor trying to get away from him. Schatzi will not be picked up and we cannot catch her without scaring her.
She races into the absolute last corner of the house, the south east corner which is full with obstacles. There is a plant stand, a very low tea cart and a doll carriage loaded with teddy bears. My desk and Mollies new bed keep everything confined.
Andy will see, if changing his outfit can calm her down.
Mollie on the other hand calmed down tremendously.
She realized that the backyard will be there in the morning again. So she happily can do tomorrow what did not get done today. Sounds like me. She can take real naps and even sits in the sun occasionally.
Especially the big game hunting lost a lot of its luster.
The squirrels don't play by the rules, they don't want to be caught. There is no need for 3 feet vertical jumps either since the squirrels heckle her from way higher up. Most of the birds left for safer grounds and even the fox rescheduled his dinner hour for when Mollie is in bed already.
Truly lazy days. I suspect, it will get more interesting in the winter again.
School started at least a week ago and Mollie is studying too.
Every time someone opens the big cupboard, she stands right there and pays attention. Oh, the fragrance ! Coffee, rice, pasta, lots of cereal boxes and the better stuff like chewies from the vet and the oh so delicious bacon filled rolled beef chewies from Brazil.
Bummer, they have been recalled because of salmonella. Last year it was doggie food from China. Mollie is a fan of Chinese food.
Mollie will study how to open the cupboard and then graduate to the really difficult course : " How to open the Fridge. "
This might take a few semesters.
It is about time, because I absolutely hate the heat and I am sick of the days in the 90ties and upper 80ties.
The nights are quite a bit cooler already because of the clear air and lack of humidity in the high desert.
I promised I would not complain this summer about the heat, and I did not. Hating the heat does not qualify as complaining. Good thing is, I can always retreat into the AC when it is necessary.
Schatzi is acting strange for two days already.
Andy is wearing a new khaki shirt and he is wondering , if that color might cause flash backs from her bad life in the mill.
She is barking at him , bolting out of her basket and sliding along the floor trying to get away from him. Schatzi will not be picked up and we cannot catch her without scaring her.
She races into the absolute last corner of the house, the south east corner which is full with obstacles. There is a plant stand, a very low tea cart and a doll carriage loaded with teddy bears. My desk and Mollies new bed keep everything confined.
Andy will see, if changing his outfit can calm her down.
Mollie on the other hand calmed down tremendously.
She realized that the backyard will be there in the morning again. So she happily can do tomorrow what did not get done today. Sounds like me. She can take real naps and even sits in the sun occasionally.
Especially the big game hunting lost a lot of its luster.
The squirrels don't play by the rules, they don't want to be caught. There is no need for 3 feet vertical jumps either since the squirrels heckle her from way higher up. Most of the birds left for safer grounds and even the fox rescheduled his dinner hour for when Mollie is in bed already.
Truly lazy days. I suspect, it will get more interesting in the winter again.
School started at least a week ago and Mollie is studying too.
Every time someone opens the big cupboard, she stands right there and pays attention. Oh, the fragrance ! Coffee, rice, pasta, lots of cereal boxes and the better stuff like chewies from the vet and the oh so delicious bacon filled rolled beef chewies from Brazil.
Bummer, they have been recalled because of salmonella. Last year it was doggie food from China. Mollie is a fan of Chinese food.
Mollie will study how to open the cupboard and then graduate to the really difficult course : " How to open the Fridge. "
This might take a few semesters.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sneaking up to 5 months
It is rare to see clouds in the morning . It was just before sunrise and a big part of the eastern sky was intensely red and orange . For a few minutes it looked like the prairie was on fire.
We are sneaking up on having Schatzi 5 months already and Molli going on 6 weeks.
Schatzi sleeps in a little past 6 now, which is a relief for all of us, including Mollie. She cuddles under the blankets with Dad , mostly right in the traffic lane, where Schatzi does not see her when she hops up from the doggie stairs. Growling and yipping , Mollie sighs and might as well go out too and pee. The longer to sleep in later.
We mostly still sleep with the AC at night, hoping to have less allergies in the morning, especially Andy.
We open the window very early in the morning and Schatzi's " radio " is on. She curls up on the blanket and listens intently to all the sounds coming from the street. She is sorting out what is what : Garage door slowly rattles open, a guy on a Harley enjoys waking up the neighborhood, what ,a dinosaur roaring ? No, really a garbage truck with screeching brakes in the distance, a utility truck beeps while backing up, several dogs barking, a front end of a car scraping the drive way hump ----- her little ears are moving left and right and you can see her brain working. She cannot see anything from her listening post in bed except the sky -- a virtual theater for the ears.
Steve mowed our lawn for the last 6 weeks while Dad was gone.
Years ago, when Schnapps was defending us from anybody in a wide perimeter around the house, Steve and his wife Neicha were cutting the grass in Betty's yard.
The garage door was open just a tad, Schnapps slipped under it and bit Neicha in a heel. We had to call Andy in West Virginia and inquired about Colorado dog law. He had no idea about that particular law.
In the meantime we found out, after Clar's husband almost got his face bitten off that there are no penalties and that the Humane Society does not pursue dog bites.
Steve still has his lawn service, and now he has Buddy, who works with him. Buddy must be the biggest dog I ever met, a massive, muscular, probably Mastiff and a sweet heart. Buddy keeps Steve company and guards what ever equipment is in the truck.
When Buddy comes up on the deck, the girls go totally insane with barking, hopping up and down against the glass door, charging and yelling until they are exhausted
.
Any lawn mower noise in the area now has been associated with Buddy appearing here any second now !
Molly and Schatzi go into their mayhem performance with yipping, barking, racing around and doing their best to get all worked up. Molly flies up to the window bench without missing a step and Schatzi dashing behind her, panting and the tongue hanging out . At the window Schatzi stands on her hind legs hopping like on a trampoline, her nose as high as possible and still can't see out.
It is not Tuesday girls, Buddy is not coming.
We are sneaking up on having Schatzi 5 months already and Molli going on 6 weeks.
Schatzi sleeps in a little past 6 now, which is a relief for all of us, including Mollie. She cuddles under the blankets with Dad , mostly right in the traffic lane, where Schatzi does not see her when she hops up from the doggie stairs. Growling and yipping , Mollie sighs and might as well go out too and pee. The longer to sleep in later.
We mostly still sleep with the AC at night, hoping to have less allergies in the morning, especially Andy.
We open the window very early in the morning and Schatzi's " radio " is on. She curls up on the blanket and listens intently to all the sounds coming from the street. She is sorting out what is what : Garage door slowly rattles open, a guy on a Harley enjoys waking up the neighborhood, what ,a dinosaur roaring ? No, really a garbage truck with screeching brakes in the distance, a utility truck beeps while backing up, several dogs barking, a front end of a car scraping the drive way hump ----- her little ears are moving left and right and you can see her brain working. She cannot see anything from her listening post in bed except the sky -- a virtual theater for the ears.
Steve mowed our lawn for the last 6 weeks while Dad was gone.
Years ago, when Schnapps was defending us from anybody in a wide perimeter around the house, Steve and his wife Neicha were cutting the grass in Betty's yard.
The garage door was open just a tad, Schnapps slipped under it and bit Neicha in a heel. We had to call Andy in West Virginia and inquired about Colorado dog law. He had no idea about that particular law.
In the meantime we found out, after Clar's husband almost got his face bitten off that there are no penalties and that the Humane Society does not pursue dog bites.
Steve still has his lawn service, and now he has Buddy, who works with him. Buddy must be the biggest dog I ever met, a massive, muscular, probably Mastiff and a sweet heart. Buddy keeps Steve company and guards what ever equipment is in the truck.
When Buddy comes up on the deck, the girls go totally insane with barking, hopping up and down against the glass door, charging and yelling until they are exhausted
.
Any lawn mower noise in the area now has been associated with Buddy appearing here any second now !
Molly and Schatzi go into their mayhem performance with yipping, barking, racing around and doing their best to get all worked up. Molly flies up to the window bench without missing a step and Schatzi dashing behind her, panting and the tongue hanging out . At the window Schatzi stands on her hind legs hopping like on a trampoline, her nose as high as possible and still can't see out.
It is not Tuesday girls, Buddy is not coming.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Play ball !
Clar gave the " girls " 2 squeaky balls, one purple, one green, which are still from her little poodle's toy box.
The purple one is in higher regard than the green one, maybe because it squeaks more exited than the other one.
So we accidentally found out that Molly likes to play ball.
We have at least 4 old tennis balls in the house, plus 2 that have an X cut into them to protect the legs of an old walker. Molly never looked at the tennis balls and never looked at the dozen or so weathered ones in the backyard either.
Waldi was our tennis pro. He owned countless balls and received an endless supply from Hans, who , before knee and elbow problems, was an avid tennis player.
Waldi knew when a new shipment had arrived in the garage. Just follow the tennis smell, stand in front of the bag and summon Dad because Waldi insisted on inspecting the new equipment.
I can barely remember Waldi ever being without a ball. He barked through the ball in his mouth , he slept with more than one and laid one next to his bowl when he was eating. He even kept several in the car.
The tennis balls were strategically placed in the grass and in the rocks and Waldi knew where every one belonged. When Dad was cutting the grass, Waldi put them back.
He even worked hard to pull the balls off he walker. Occasionally he brought an icy snowy ball inside in the winter and let it dry in a small puddle.
Molly invited Andy to play with the squeaky ball ! Only problem is , she loves to catch it but does not let it go and wants to pull and tug with Andy.
Playing Tug of War with a small doggie can break or chip her teeth and can cause whip lash injuries.
Raskal, our first dachsie was an excellent ball player. He played with a bavarian team " The Leupoldsgruner Wienerle " ( small hot dogs ) and joined everyone afterwards for a beer. He loved beer and I thought, he would be smart enough to know when he had enough to drink. He was not smart enough and neither was I. He stumbled over a tiny stone edging in the grass, fell down and slept there for a while.
In Florida, beer ball games were played every evening. What a goalie he was, fast, skillful and catching every ball. Ohren however sat next to Dad , umpired and still had his little bowl of beer without having to excert himself.
In the meantime the girls expanded their repertoire of games.
They added " Body lifting " and the " Office 500 ".
Molly has the advantage when "lifting " Schatzi. The long dachsie with her short little legs, fits under Schatzi's tummy and yanks her hind legs a few inches off the floor.
The " 500 " is played in Dad's office.
A small circular track goes through the knee hole in his desk around table legs, past computer equipment , a guitar stand and other male stuff . The girls race there in tight curves at break neck speed.
They play so well together, way better than I ever hoped for.
The purple one is in higher regard than the green one, maybe because it squeaks more exited than the other one.
So we accidentally found out that Molly likes to play ball.
We have at least 4 old tennis balls in the house, plus 2 that have an X cut into them to protect the legs of an old walker. Molly never looked at the tennis balls and never looked at the dozen or so weathered ones in the backyard either.
Waldi was our tennis pro. He owned countless balls and received an endless supply from Hans, who , before knee and elbow problems, was an avid tennis player.
Waldi knew when a new shipment had arrived in the garage. Just follow the tennis smell, stand in front of the bag and summon Dad because Waldi insisted on inspecting the new equipment.
I can barely remember Waldi ever being without a ball. He barked through the ball in his mouth , he slept with more than one and laid one next to his bowl when he was eating. He even kept several in the car.
The tennis balls were strategically placed in the grass and in the rocks and Waldi knew where every one belonged. When Dad was cutting the grass, Waldi put them back.
He even worked hard to pull the balls off he walker. Occasionally he brought an icy snowy ball inside in the winter and let it dry in a small puddle.
Molly invited Andy to play with the squeaky ball ! Only problem is , she loves to catch it but does not let it go and wants to pull and tug with Andy.
Playing Tug of War with a small doggie can break or chip her teeth and can cause whip lash injuries.
Raskal, our first dachsie was an excellent ball player. He played with a bavarian team " The Leupoldsgruner Wienerle " ( small hot dogs ) and joined everyone afterwards for a beer. He loved beer and I thought, he would be smart enough to know when he had enough to drink. He was not smart enough and neither was I. He stumbled over a tiny stone edging in the grass, fell down and slept there for a while.
In Florida, beer ball games were played every evening. What a goalie he was, fast, skillful and catching every ball. Ohren however sat next to Dad , umpired and still had his little bowl of beer without having to excert himself.
In the meantime the girls expanded their repertoire of games.
They added " Body lifting " and the " Office 500 ".
Molly has the advantage when "lifting " Schatzi. The long dachsie with her short little legs, fits under Schatzi's tummy and yanks her hind legs a few inches off the floor.
The " 500 " is played in Dad's office.
A small circular track goes through the knee hole in his desk around table legs, past computer equipment , a guitar stand and other male stuff . The girls race there in tight curves at break neck speed.
They play so well together, way better than I ever hoped for.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
My Dad is back home
My Dad is back for almost a week.
To be exact , just about 1/2 a day is missing from the whole week.
I almost did not recognize him. It was dark and midnight and how should I know who comes home at such an unusual hour.
Phew.... I am embarrassed, but then I am off the hook, when I heard Andy saying, that he almost did not see him at the airport because he looks grayer than when he left.
Dad said, he went to Germany.
I don't know where that is. Could be right behind the backyard, or in Arkansas. Maybe even in the airport . Many people go to the airport and come out again after a while. I suspect, Germany is in the airport too.
Molly pretended to know him, but I know way better.
We had her only one day when Dad went to Germany, so how can she remember him. She loves and kisses everybody who comes into the house, which of course I don't do . I like to inspire great fear in everybody who comes to visit. Better safe and not to be too friendly , I reserve my judgment for later. A nice sharp bark never hurts to show off my voice.
Besides, people are still impressed by my woof to make the door bell ring upstairs.
A Millie moved in down the hill a little way from us. She is an excellent barker, high pitched and barely ever quits. Their people named her "Shut up ", just like the little boy in the same house.
We went to the hair salon. I am gorgeous again, bathed, fluffed, silky hair, pretty pantaloons, a pedicure and pure white stockings. I don't know about Molly. She changed into a short hair dachsie, even the ears are short. Mom said, Molly likes to roll in the yard and picks up all kind of interesting little pieces, that always make tangles and knots. Short ear hair would be a lot easier to maintain.
Molly is very mobile. She sleeps in at least 4 places on various couches plus the window bench.
Dad wants her to be by the table when we are all sitting there.
There are 2 big baskets of course already and one upstairs - they are all mine. Rule number 1 , 2 and 3 : everything is mine. Dad went to buy a bed for Molly and I had to try it out, after the dachsie vacated it. Not bad, sooo, -- this one is mine too.
Dad bought another identical one and said : "You girls have very nice soft beds now, I will get rid of the old basket. "
Oh absolute horror ! My basket, my burg, my fortress, my bed ----- where am I supposed to be feeling safe now ? True, it falls apart because I am working on it -- but this is no reason to throw out a treasured bed ! Dad !!
After being lobbied by Andy for a whole day, my basket is back in it's place.
Everything is fine again with my world .
To be exact , just about 1/2 a day is missing from the whole week.
I almost did not recognize him. It was dark and midnight and how should I know who comes home at such an unusual hour.
Phew.... I am embarrassed, but then I am off the hook, when I heard Andy saying, that he almost did not see him at the airport because he looks grayer than when he left.
Dad said, he went to Germany.
I don't know where that is. Could be right behind the backyard, or in Arkansas. Maybe even in the airport . Many people go to the airport and come out again after a while. I suspect, Germany is in the airport too.
Molly pretended to know him, but I know way better.
We had her only one day when Dad went to Germany, so how can she remember him. She loves and kisses everybody who comes into the house, which of course I don't do . I like to inspire great fear in everybody who comes to visit. Better safe and not to be too friendly , I reserve my judgment for later. A nice sharp bark never hurts to show off my voice.
Besides, people are still impressed by my woof to make the door bell ring upstairs.
A Millie moved in down the hill a little way from us. She is an excellent barker, high pitched and barely ever quits. Their people named her "Shut up ", just like the little boy in the same house.
We went to the hair salon. I am gorgeous again, bathed, fluffed, silky hair, pretty pantaloons, a pedicure and pure white stockings. I don't know about Molly. She changed into a short hair dachsie, even the ears are short. Mom said, Molly likes to roll in the yard and picks up all kind of interesting little pieces, that always make tangles and knots. Short ear hair would be a lot easier to maintain.
Molly is very mobile. She sleeps in at least 4 places on various couches plus the window bench.
Dad wants her to be by the table when we are all sitting there.
There are 2 big baskets of course already and one upstairs - they are all mine. Rule number 1 , 2 and 3 : everything is mine. Dad went to buy a bed for Molly and I had to try it out, after the dachsie vacated it. Not bad, sooo, -- this one is mine too.
Dad bought another identical one and said : "You girls have very nice soft beds now, I will get rid of the old basket. "
Oh absolute horror ! My basket, my burg, my fortress, my bed ----- where am I supposed to be feeling safe now ? True, it falls apart because I am working on it -- but this is no reason to throw out a treasured bed ! Dad !!
After being lobbied by Andy for a whole day, my basket is back in it's place.
Everything is fine again with my world .
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Hair !
Schatzi has to go to the groomer in the worst way.
She looks like a character out of " Where the Wild Things are ".
Overgrown with hair, her pretty pantaloons turning into a long skirt. Bushels of blond wool sticking out strait and she looses so much fur, we could supply several dachsies with a winter sweater.
All in all, she looks like a greek sheep rug, where you would like to run a lawn mover over it.
Liz, the national certified groomer suggests, she needs a cut about every 2 to 3 months. When her appointment comes, it would be 87 days between grooming. Way way too long. Six weeks tops for her to stay gorgeous and not smell like a wet doggie.
Andy and I brush her diligently on the deck. She always looks silky and smooth and has no odor and we remove huge amounts of almost totally white undercoat with a small rake .
I wonder if the silky hair can be used for something , spinning into wool or even for wigs. I will definitely let it fly in the spring for the birds to use for nest building.
Dad's brown blanket gets combed frequently to get big handfuls of hair out of the surface. Loose hair swirls under the ceiling fan in the kitchen and the floor needs picking up every day.
Hair is growing everywhere in the house, including on my swimsuit.
The only things that still look good, are her white stockings and her pretty paws.
The city mouse.
Molly will visit the groomer too, mostly for a bath.
There is not much evidence that she is a long hair dachsie, except for the ears.
She needs the hair on her ears shaped and what ever it takes to make them tangle free.
Her hair is so silky and baby fine that she looks like a short hair dachsie.
Since we have her , the tail started sprouting a bigger flag on the end but is still very thin and sparse.
The only thing in abundance are curly locks on her feet and they look like very cute rugged hiking shoes.
The country mouse.
She looks like a character out of " Where the Wild Things are ".
Overgrown with hair, her pretty pantaloons turning into a long skirt. Bushels of blond wool sticking out strait and she looses so much fur, we could supply several dachsies with a winter sweater.
All in all, she looks like a greek sheep rug, where you would like to run a lawn mover over it.
Liz, the national certified groomer suggests, she needs a cut about every 2 to 3 months. When her appointment comes, it would be 87 days between grooming. Way way too long. Six weeks tops for her to stay gorgeous and not smell like a wet doggie.
Andy and I brush her diligently on the deck. She always looks silky and smooth and has no odor and we remove huge amounts of almost totally white undercoat with a small rake .
I wonder if the silky hair can be used for something , spinning into wool or even for wigs. I will definitely let it fly in the spring for the birds to use for nest building.
Dad's brown blanket gets combed frequently to get big handfuls of hair out of the surface. Loose hair swirls under the ceiling fan in the kitchen and the floor needs picking up every day.
Hair is growing everywhere in the house, including on my swimsuit.
The only things that still look good, are her white stockings and her pretty paws.
The city mouse.
Molly will visit the groomer too, mostly for a bath.
There is not much evidence that she is a long hair dachsie, except for the ears.
She needs the hair on her ears shaped and what ever it takes to make them tangle free.
Her hair is so silky and baby fine that she looks like a short hair dachsie.
Since we have her , the tail started sprouting a bigger flag on the end but is still very thin and sparse.
The only thing in abundance are curly locks on her feet and they look like very cute rugged hiking shoes.
The country mouse.
4 month progress report
Beautiful rain !
It rains almost daily at our house, Crissy's house gets a whole lot more. It always depends where in town you are located.
Everything is green, my father called it the " Grune Holle " the green hell, because there are no more green nuances in the leaves like in the spring.
After such a long drought, I am happy about any kind of a green and I am even happier about any kind of rain! Either gentle and soaking into the ground or in a tropical down pour -- I 'll take it in any amount.
We have Schatzi now 4 months.
What a change in her, especially if you read back on the earlier entries.
She was such a scared little pile of fluff, not moving out of her basket and barely ever saying a word.
And look at her now !
On top of her small world, having conquered a big part of the house and every corner of the backyard . This includes the fox corner and even a " chase " to send the fox over the fence.
The fox was on the way home, making a slight detour to see if there was any food left over.
The sun was coming up and Schatzi all alone in the middle of the lawn.
The fox was just as startled as she was, some exited woofs and she high tailed it up to the deck. It is safer to bark from there especially if mom will be close by. A few claps with my hands and the fox was already over the other fence and had disappeared.
Molly did not even have time to help or realized what was going on..
The biggest change in Schatzi came with the arrival of Molly, the small dachshund.
After the initial growling, grumbling , snarling, showing of teeth, jealousy, guarding of toys and hoarding of chewies, life turned around.
The two girls play wonderful together.
There is Ladies Wrestling, The Hallway Dash, the Kitchen Speedway and Sneak - A - Squeaky.
Schatzi now eats as soon as the bowls are placed on the floor - but still will not take anything from my hand, including toys. Except accidentally, if she is offered a piece of cheese.
She barks furiously, especially now when Molly learned to be quiet. Her voice is so different from one of a dachsie.
All dogs in our neighborhood have very distinct barks. The black Lab across the street has a slow and understated bass. The new Millie behind us piercing and incessant without being corrected. One that we hear for years, imitates a fire engine and a dog with an almost human voice lives south east from here.
With lot's of thunderstorms rumbling through, it is rare that Schatzi still has to disappear into a secret corner and hide.
Stairs are just for flying up and down -- a very far cry from not knowing how to climb even a single step.
I don't see her pulling up her knees or wobbling in and out of her basket .
All this activity toned her muscles and strengthened her tendons, so the knee caps don't pop out anymore. Everything is smooth and sleek, like she has been doing this all her life.
Her tail now is always up and wagging quite a bit, although not on automatic like Molly's. Just a month ago,she was invisible with her tail low and her head down making a big detour around me.
Schatzi wants to be petted, including at 3 in the morning, when I am sneaking past her to go to the bathroom. Luckily, she goes back to sleep.
What has not yet changed, is the 5 o'clock wake up call and I am hoping for either a later bed time when Dad is back, or the winter.
It rains almost daily at our house, Crissy's house gets a whole lot more. It always depends where in town you are located.
Everything is green, my father called it the " Grune Holle " the green hell, because there are no more green nuances in the leaves like in the spring.
After such a long drought, I am happy about any kind of a green and I am even happier about any kind of rain! Either gentle and soaking into the ground or in a tropical down pour -- I 'll take it in any amount.
We have Schatzi now 4 months.
What a change in her, especially if you read back on the earlier entries.
She was such a scared little pile of fluff, not moving out of her basket and barely ever saying a word.
And look at her now !
On top of her small world, having conquered a big part of the house and every corner of the backyard . This includes the fox corner and even a " chase " to send the fox over the fence.
The fox was on the way home, making a slight detour to see if there was any food left over.
The sun was coming up and Schatzi all alone in the middle of the lawn.
The fox was just as startled as she was, some exited woofs and she high tailed it up to the deck. It is safer to bark from there especially if mom will be close by. A few claps with my hands and the fox was already over the other fence and had disappeared.
Molly did not even have time to help or realized what was going on..
The biggest change in Schatzi came with the arrival of Molly, the small dachshund.
After the initial growling, grumbling , snarling, showing of teeth, jealousy, guarding of toys and hoarding of chewies, life turned around.
The two girls play wonderful together.
There is Ladies Wrestling, The Hallway Dash, the Kitchen Speedway and Sneak - A - Squeaky.
Schatzi now eats as soon as the bowls are placed on the floor - but still will not take anything from my hand, including toys. Except accidentally, if she is offered a piece of cheese.
She barks furiously, especially now when Molly learned to be quiet. Her voice is so different from one of a dachsie.
All dogs in our neighborhood have very distinct barks. The black Lab across the street has a slow and understated bass. The new Millie behind us piercing and incessant without being corrected. One that we hear for years, imitates a fire engine and a dog with an almost human voice lives south east from here.
With lot's of thunderstorms rumbling through, it is rare that Schatzi still has to disappear into a secret corner and hide.
Stairs are just for flying up and down -- a very far cry from not knowing how to climb even a single step.
I don't see her pulling up her knees or wobbling in and out of her basket .
All this activity toned her muscles and strengthened her tendons, so the knee caps don't pop out anymore. Everything is smooth and sleek, like she has been doing this all her life.
Her tail now is always up and wagging quite a bit, although not on automatic like Molly's. Just a month ago,she was invisible with her tail low and her head down making a big detour around me.
Schatzi wants to be petted, including at 3 in the morning, when I am sneaking past her to go to the bathroom. Luckily, she goes back to sleep.
What has not yet changed, is the 5 o'clock wake up call and I am hoping for either a later bed time when Dad is back, or the winter.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
E - Mails
Hi Birgit,
for the 3 months we have Schatzi, she is doing wonderful, a very lovable doggie and still looks at everything new with huge, astonished brown eyes.
One of my pool buddie's granddaughter has - or better had - a small dachsie, for whom she had to find a home, because she will go to college out of state and nobody in her family wanted the dog.
So we have Molly now for a week. She is a carefree, friendly, self reliant and self assured little girl, about 3 years old.
She was a stray, picked up from the Humane Society and lived in an apartment for 3 years. Her mom worked and is a student and Molly spent lot's of time entertaining herself.
Schatzi accepted her, more or less and had to establish boundaries today. She learns from her and imitated several things and is on the way to become a real dog.
We have never had a dog with boundless energy ! She can race after squirrels good five hours and then keep going inside without tiring.
We are working with her to learn a few basic rules like no barking and not shredding everything in sight.
That is a little update from here.
I hope you are doing well ! Take care.
Hi Geli,
Very nice to hear from you and that things are going well with Schatzi.
It is probably good for her to have a new buddy and she surely couldn't have found a more wonderful home.
I have six Dachsies at my house right now, three of my own and three fosters.
I just had one of the sweetest little girls returned to me.
I adopted her out but did not listen to my gut that told me this was not right.
I could not get her off my mind the whole time she was there. When I got her back, she was skin and bones and had several bare patches on her back.
I personally believe that she just was so unhappy there that she didn't eat right and lost her hair. She gained weight now and is a happy and loving little girl again.
I so wish I could keep her, she is so attached to me and I know it will be hard for her to go into another family. Oh well, she will be with me for a while until I feel that she is ready. Wish you could take her, then I would know she is in great hands. She is an extraordinarily beautiful red long haired girl, very tiny and about three years old. Her name is Penny, maybe you remember her.
Take care and stay in touch.
Birgit :-)
Love Is The Only Truth
From Helen, the behaviorist and trainer :
How are things going?
I hope that she has become happier!!
Hi Helen, thanks for checking on us.
Things are tremendously better.The reason, we got a dachsie from a student, who is going out of state and no one in the family wants that little girl.
I expected her at the end of August, but her mom gave her up about 2 weeks ago. She was a stray, lived for 3 years in an apartment and spent a lot of time on her own. But she knew her way around a house, how to be a doggie, including being friendly, happy go lucky, and self reliant .
I see incredible improvements with Schatzi.
She copies Molly, she explores never before stepped in rooms, gingerly puts her paws on a couch and considers hopping up there.They are streaking around the house and backyard and track the fox and a raccoon. Schatzi is not scared of noises anymore, including a thunderstorm and is way more interested in her world.
They play very well together, although there are the occasional spats about possessions and food . Schatzi thinks she is now the alpha dog and Molly is testing her.
All in all, things run very smooth and they both seem very happy and busy.
One question : How do you get Schatzi to sleep a little longer in the morning ?
5: 00 am comes real early, and I am quite tired.
Helen :
Oh Dear!
5 am is quite early.
Does she have to go potty or is she hungry or???
If she needs to potty, I'd limit her water intake after about 9pm.
If she is hungry, I'd give her a snack before bed.
If she just wants you to get up, I would ignore her for 15 minutes extra a
few days or a week until you build up to her staying in bed longer.
Good luck!!
for the 3 months we have Schatzi, she is doing wonderful, a very lovable doggie and still looks at everything new with huge, astonished brown eyes.
One of my pool buddie's granddaughter has - or better had - a small dachsie, for whom she had to find a home, because she will go to college out of state and nobody in her family wanted the dog.
So we have Molly now for a week. She is a carefree, friendly, self reliant and self assured little girl, about 3 years old.
She was a stray, picked up from the Humane Society and lived in an apartment for 3 years. Her mom worked and is a student and Molly spent lot's of time entertaining herself.
Schatzi accepted her, more or less and had to establish boundaries today. She learns from her and imitated several things and is on the way to become a real dog.
We have never had a dog with boundless energy ! She can race after squirrels good five hours and then keep going inside without tiring.
We are working with her to learn a few basic rules like no barking and not shredding everything in sight.
That is a little update from here.
I hope you are doing well ! Take care.
Hi Geli,
Very nice to hear from you and that things are going well with Schatzi.
It is probably good for her to have a new buddy and she surely couldn't have found a more wonderful home.
I have six Dachsies at my house right now, three of my own and three fosters.
I just had one of the sweetest little girls returned to me.
I adopted her out but did not listen to my gut that told me this was not right.
I could not get her off my mind the whole time she was there. When I got her back, she was skin and bones and had several bare patches on her back.
I personally believe that she just was so unhappy there that she didn't eat right and lost her hair. She gained weight now and is a happy and loving little girl again.
I so wish I could keep her, she is so attached to me and I know it will be hard for her to go into another family. Oh well, she will be with me for a while until I feel that she is ready. Wish you could take her, then I would know she is in great hands. She is an extraordinarily beautiful red long haired girl, very tiny and about three years old. Her name is Penny, maybe you remember her.
Take care and stay in touch.
Birgit :-)
Love Is The Only Truth
From Helen, the behaviorist and trainer :
How are things going?
I hope that she has become happier!!
Hi Helen, thanks for checking on us.
Things are tremendously better.The reason, we got a dachsie from a student, who is going out of state and no one in the family wants that little girl.
I expected her at the end of August, but her mom gave her up about 2 weeks ago. She was a stray, lived for 3 years in an apartment and spent a lot of time on her own. But she knew her way around a house, how to be a doggie, including being friendly, happy go lucky, and self reliant .
I see incredible improvements with Schatzi.
She copies Molly, she explores never before stepped in rooms, gingerly puts her paws on a couch and considers hopping up there.They are streaking around the house and backyard and track the fox and a raccoon. Schatzi is not scared of noises anymore, including a thunderstorm and is way more interested in her world.
They play very well together, although there are the occasional spats about possessions and food . Schatzi thinks she is now the alpha dog and Molly is testing her.
All in all, things run very smooth and they both seem very happy and busy.
One question : How do you get Schatzi to sleep a little longer in the morning ?
5: 00 am comes real early, and I am quite tired.
Helen :
Oh Dear!
5 am is quite early.
Does she have to go potty or is she hungry or???
If she needs to potty, I'd limit her water intake after about 9pm.
If she is hungry, I'd give her a snack before bed.
If she just wants you to get up, I would ignore her for 15 minutes extra a
few days or a week until you build up to her staying in bed longer.
Good luck!!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Squirrel World
Things run smoother than last week and the doggie activities are routine and predictable by now.
Reveille is still just around 5 in the morning, earlier, if I dare to sneak into the bathroom. Hoping that Schatzi would sleep through that, is strictly a dream.
She is bounding over the big bed, like a fur coat on a pogo stick. Molly would like to stay snuggled up, but she follows and goes outside.
There were clouds recently in the morning and it was still almost pitch black. Both girls do their stuff and I would like to go back to bed.
The big question is, should I really leave the doggie door open ?
Andy says YES. The likely hood to find a present on the carpet is very good, if you keep the door closed.
My little Spitz thinks, if my toilet is blocked, I have no choice but to use another one. And I know, she always has to use the facilities around the same time every morning.
I don't like to keep the door open, because we seem to have a raccoon again who is raiding the hummer feeder at night. It would be so easy to just hop in and see what's happening inside.
Like a very distance cousin of the raccoon in San Diego, who followed his nose through an open window to a pot of spaghetti sauce. The raccoon etiquette for eating italian food is different than ours. More like painting the town red.
So the door stays open and I sit on the deck and watch the colors in the sky and on the mountains change from gray to pink. A few houses in the foot hills reflect the sun like a bonfire and occasional a hot air balloon drifts by and heads to the airport.
The morning is for playing. Schatzi thinks, she established who is who in this house.
Molly looks a little intimidated, if Schatzi is on full throttle racing along the hall, a blond fur ball streaking by.
The purpose of this game is possession of the Green Willy. A short rest to catch a few breaths and the rules require to move outside and include the squirrels, that wait for breakfast.
Molly specializes in barking above and beyond the normal dachshund duty. So Andy has to haul her inside for several " time - outs " until she calms down.
Schatzi recognized the squirrels, but was never interested in a chase.
Molly however knows that two squirrels live way up in the big blue spruce. There is a nest for years which started originally as a robin 's nest. It was remodeled, while we watched a squirrel carrying twigs and leaves up there.
Schnapps already hunted around the blue spruce without success.
He yelled up there, circled, showed off, jumped and hopped into the branches and danced backwards on his hind legs.
Coming back into the house one time, he crashed into the glass door. He did not see it was closed. A trip to the vet was necessary because he had cornea abrasions from jumping into the branches.
After breakfast Schatzi mostly sits in her basket and guards the green Willy and several chewies.
Molly checks on the squirrels. She barks and jumps, has to go inside to be quiet, sees another one and wants to dig through the glass door and races off as soon as she is allowed.
Smart Molly noticed, that if she sits in the bay window, she can see if there is any squirrel activity in the blue spruces in the front and also keep an eye on the traffic in the aspen tree in the back. Molly is incredibly busy, while Schatzi growls and shows off her teeth, to keep her possessions under wrap.
We noticed by the way, that she is missing several tiny teeth right in the upper front.
Reveille is still just around 5 in the morning, earlier, if I dare to sneak into the bathroom. Hoping that Schatzi would sleep through that, is strictly a dream.
She is bounding over the big bed, like a fur coat on a pogo stick. Molly would like to stay snuggled up, but she follows and goes outside.
There were clouds recently in the morning and it was still almost pitch black. Both girls do their stuff and I would like to go back to bed.
The big question is, should I really leave the doggie door open ?
Andy says YES. The likely hood to find a present on the carpet is very good, if you keep the door closed.
My little Spitz thinks, if my toilet is blocked, I have no choice but to use another one. And I know, she always has to use the facilities around the same time every morning.
I don't like to keep the door open, because we seem to have a raccoon again who is raiding the hummer feeder at night. It would be so easy to just hop in and see what's happening inside.
Like a very distance cousin of the raccoon in San Diego, who followed his nose through an open window to a pot of spaghetti sauce. The raccoon etiquette for eating italian food is different than ours. More like painting the town red.
So the door stays open and I sit on the deck and watch the colors in the sky and on the mountains change from gray to pink. A few houses in the foot hills reflect the sun like a bonfire and occasional a hot air balloon drifts by and heads to the airport.
The morning is for playing. Schatzi thinks, she established who is who in this house.
Molly looks a little intimidated, if Schatzi is on full throttle racing along the hall, a blond fur ball streaking by.
The purpose of this game is possession of the Green Willy. A short rest to catch a few breaths and the rules require to move outside and include the squirrels, that wait for breakfast.
Molly specializes in barking above and beyond the normal dachshund duty. So Andy has to haul her inside for several " time - outs " until she calms down.
Schatzi recognized the squirrels, but was never interested in a chase.
Molly however knows that two squirrels live way up in the big blue spruce. There is a nest for years which started originally as a robin 's nest. It was remodeled, while we watched a squirrel carrying twigs and leaves up there.
Schnapps already hunted around the blue spruce without success.
He yelled up there, circled, showed off, jumped and hopped into the branches and danced backwards on his hind legs.
Coming back into the house one time, he crashed into the glass door. He did not see it was closed. A trip to the vet was necessary because he had cornea abrasions from jumping into the branches.
After breakfast Schatzi mostly sits in her basket and guards the green Willy and several chewies.
Molly checks on the squirrels. She barks and jumps, has to go inside to be quiet, sees another one and wants to dig through the glass door and races off as soon as she is allowed.
Smart Molly noticed, that if she sits in the bay window, she can see if there is any squirrel activity in the blue spruces in the front and also keep an eye on the traffic in the aspen tree in the back. Molly is incredibly busy, while Schatzi growls and shows off her teeth, to keep her possessions under wrap.
We noticed by the way, that she is missing several tiny teeth right in the upper front.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Energy Dachsie
Dad is in Germany and Mollie is here already for a week.
I am not sure she is a true mini dachsie, for this she is too long, but a small and slim dachsie , just like ours looked, when they were young.
She has energy to no end !
Racing in the backyard 4 to 5 hours in the morning, dashing around endlessly in the house, up and down the stairs, zig zagging from dresser to closet, jumping on couches, chairs and tables .
What is really dangerous,Molly jumps about 3 feet straight up in the air to catch squirrels. Very bad for a dachshund's back.
Raskal was paralyzed twice when he was still very young, and we don't want this to happen to Molly. How can we stop her from jumping ?
It does not matter to her how hot it is, she is running from tree to tree, picking her way along bushes, rhubarb, wheel barrow and shed to the fence or a fast dash to the other side past weeds, roses and rocks. She flies up to the tree trunks circling for a long time, just to chase a squirrel who sits up there and chatters back at her, waving the long tail like a wind mill. If there is no squirrel in sight, there might be one coming any minute now and Molly races around totally obsessed.
She never looks exhausted and after a little drink of water, she races off again. Slowing down does not exist with her.
Faustimaus was a great hunter, specializing in squirrels. Her and Schnapps treed a squirrel on the long gone Russian olive. There was no safe jump to another spot for the squirrel, so they both circled the tree, feigning an attack, standing up on the trunk and barking. Schnapps was ripping the papery bark til it hang in long sheets, which in the next year caused the demise of the tree.
With his teeth, he was hanging there swinging like an acrobat in a circus.
Fausti stepped back and forth, back and forth, over rocks and little twigs with sharp burs and worked herself into a frenzy.
I could not catch them, because I was hobbling after knee surgery and so I had to wait until the stand off ended.
Afterwards Fausti visited the vet, because she tore the skin off her pads and had to gingerly walk around with bandages on all four paws.
After trial and error, the dining options had been worked out.
Molly does not like the moist food with the tempting gourmet sounding selections.
Dry food it is, although we changed to Science Diet, small bites.
She eats at will. There is no way to establish a twice a day feeding schedule with her huge incredible expanse of energy. She has to eat more often . Other wise you stuff a mountain of kibble into a small tummy when you feed her only two times a day.
Schatzi eats her normal dinner made for the city mouse, while the country mouse gets a little piece of chicken or cut up Costco meatball with her kibble.
They both seemed to be contend.
The sleeping arrangement are okay for now.
Schatzi did not want to sleep with us anymore, so we moved another doggie bed next to Dad, that worked for her.
Molly sleeps with me, and I am on the other end of the leash with her. She jumped in and out, played and did not settle down, until we decided to keep her on a leash close to me. That worked instantly. Schatzi now comes back into bed again, but leaves later for her own basket.
She wakes me up on at 5 : 40 on the dot, so I can enjoy the world from the deck before the sun comes up.
I am not sure she is a true mini dachsie, for this she is too long, but a small and slim dachsie , just like ours looked, when they were young.
She has energy to no end !
Racing in the backyard 4 to 5 hours in the morning, dashing around endlessly in the house, up and down the stairs, zig zagging from dresser to closet, jumping on couches, chairs and tables .
What is really dangerous,Molly jumps about 3 feet straight up in the air to catch squirrels. Very bad for a dachshund's back.
Raskal was paralyzed twice when he was still very young, and we don't want this to happen to Molly. How can we stop her from jumping ?
It does not matter to her how hot it is, she is running from tree to tree, picking her way along bushes, rhubarb, wheel barrow and shed to the fence or a fast dash to the other side past weeds, roses and rocks. She flies up to the tree trunks circling for a long time, just to chase a squirrel who sits up there and chatters back at her, waving the long tail like a wind mill. If there is no squirrel in sight, there might be one coming any minute now and Molly races around totally obsessed.
She never looks exhausted and after a little drink of water, she races off again. Slowing down does not exist with her.
Faustimaus was a great hunter, specializing in squirrels. Her and Schnapps treed a squirrel on the long gone Russian olive. There was no safe jump to another spot for the squirrel, so they both circled the tree, feigning an attack, standing up on the trunk and barking. Schnapps was ripping the papery bark til it hang in long sheets, which in the next year caused the demise of the tree.
With his teeth, he was hanging there swinging like an acrobat in a circus.
Fausti stepped back and forth, back and forth, over rocks and little twigs with sharp burs and worked herself into a frenzy.
I could not catch them, because I was hobbling after knee surgery and so I had to wait until the stand off ended.
Afterwards Fausti visited the vet, because she tore the skin off her pads and had to gingerly walk around with bandages on all four paws.
After trial and error, the dining options had been worked out.
Molly does not like the moist food with the tempting gourmet sounding selections.
Dry food it is, although we changed to Science Diet, small bites.
She eats at will. There is no way to establish a twice a day feeding schedule with her huge incredible expanse of energy. She has to eat more often . Other wise you stuff a mountain of kibble into a small tummy when you feed her only two times a day.
Schatzi eats her normal dinner made for the city mouse, while the country mouse gets a little piece of chicken or cut up Costco meatball with her kibble.
They both seemed to be contend.
The sleeping arrangement are okay for now.
Schatzi did not want to sleep with us anymore, so we moved another doggie bed next to Dad, that worked for her.
Molly sleeps with me, and I am on the other end of the leash with her. She jumped in and out, played and did not settle down, until we decided to keep her on a leash close to me. That worked instantly. Schatzi now comes back into bed again, but leaves later for her own basket.
She wakes me up on at 5 : 40 on the dot, so I can enjoy the world from the deck before the sun comes up.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Molly lives here now
After not hearing from Sara in 14 days, she sent a note, saying, if we want Molly, she is ready to give her up.
Friday afternoon, there she walked into the house ! Molly was just as confident as the last time, curious, happy, well behaved and friendly.
The first meeting was smoother, no snarling and showing of teeth .This time Schatzi was not so thrilled , which did not phase Molly. Schatzi just sat in her safety place and growled while Molly wagged her little tail with a small flag on the end.
Sometimes I wonder about some of the little guys and girls.
When I left the house, Waldi cried and waited in front of the garage door, even if everybody else was at home. Toby sat a whole day in the bay window waiting for his parents to come back.
On the other hand, Hannelore was so worried to leave Skeeter Bug and Mandy, that she almost did not leave town. And the two little traitors did not care one bit. As soon as the door had closed -- what's to eat -- what's to do in the yard -- let me sit on the couch -- where do we sleep -- I need a tummy rub -- let me taste that chewie ....
Molly was so busy in the backyard, chasing the newly discovered squirrels, jumping several feet high on a tree, racing across the grass with super speed --- she never looked back either.
Molly dashed through the house, from Dad's office to Andy's basement, from the desk to the laundry room, sitting on the Eckbank during dinner until she settled on a corner of Andy's couch. Toys moved in in the meantime and she claimed that spot as her nest.
Molly is used to eating dry food, so the little trays of moist food, did not please her palate. We'll see, if she wants to change in time. There is no hurry.
Bedtime was a little problematic . First time in a new environment took a lot of exploring.
The foam bumpers Dad put under the bed so Schatzi would not disappear below, Molly discovered those and how to navigate around them. Light on ! Molly had to be helped out from under the bed. Out of bed again to rearrange some shoes . Light on again ! Jumping out of bed and on a chair to make a different bed . Light on. Checking out the bathroom ---- light on . Climbing on the night stand to reach the water bowl...--- lights ! Trying to hop up onto that high bed and crashing into my foot stool -- lights - to pick her up . She finally settled in and slept most of the night.
Friday afternoon, there she walked into the house ! Molly was just as confident as the last time, curious, happy, well behaved and friendly.
The first meeting was smoother, no snarling and showing of teeth .This time Schatzi was not so thrilled , which did not phase Molly. Schatzi just sat in her safety place and growled while Molly wagged her little tail with a small flag on the end.
Sometimes I wonder about some of the little guys and girls.
When I left the house, Waldi cried and waited in front of the garage door, even if everybody else was at home. Toby sat a whole day in the bay window waiting for his parents to come back.
On the other hand, Hannelore was so worried to leave Skeeter Bug and Mandy, that she almost did not leave town. And the two little traitors did not care one bit. As soon as the door had closed -- what's to eat -- what's to do in the yard -- let me sit on the couch -- where do we sleep -- I need a tummy rub -- let me taste that chewie ....
Molly was so busy in the backyard, chasing the newly discovered squirrels, jumping several feet high on a tree, racing across the grass with super speed --- she never looked back either.
Molly dashed through the house, from Dad's office to Andy's basement, from the desk to the laundry room, sitting on the Eckbank during dinner until she settled on a corner of Andy's couch. Toys moved in in the meantime and she claimed that spot as her nest.
Molly is used to eating dry food, so the little trays of moist food, did not please her palate. We'll see, if she wants to change in time. There is no hurry.
Bedtime was a little problematic . First time in a new environment took a lot of exploring.
The foam bumpers Dad put under the bed so Schatzi would not disappear below, Molly discovered those and how to navigate around them. Light on ! Molly had to be helped out from under the bed. Out of bed again to rearrange some shoes . Light on again ! Jumping out of bed and on a chair to make a different bed . Light on. Checking out the bathroom ---- light on . Climbing on the night stand to reach the water bowl...--- lights ! Trying to hop up onto that high bed and crashing into my foot stool -- lights - to pick her up . She finally settled in and slept most of the night.
Oprah
An email from Helen from the Mill rescue , urging everyone to vote for a proposal for a film clip for Oprah's new cable channel.
A lady, who is a producer put a short film together, summing up the horrible conditions all the poor mill dogs have to exist in, having one litter of puppies after another to make money for the breeders. Then they get killed and there is always fresh stock around.
It would be so important for the people to know all about that .
Let's hope, that Oprah finds it worth to include a show about the poor dog's lives.
A lady, who is a producer put a short film together, summing up the horrible conditions all the poor mill dogs have to exist in, having one litter of puppies after another to make money for the breeders. Then they get killed and there is always fresh stock around.
It would be so important for the people to know all about that .
Let's hope, that Oprah finds it worth to include a show about the poor dog's lives.
Things work out
Schatzi is in kind of a funk.
We see nothing physically wrong with her, she eats well most of the time and figured out what her favorite flavors are.
Smoked bacon with eggs in the morning and anything that comes from one of the octagonal little trays. Filet Mignon, Porter house Steaks , New York strip ......all in little chunks. This is so convenient .
As a bed night snack she loves a little bit of people food. Rice with chicken, rice with chopped steak, or a meatball with rice. I add mashed carrots occasionally too.
She enjoys the vet approved chewies, she loves the green Willy and still, something is not quite right.
She suddenly does not want to sleep with the herd anymore.
Letting her sleep in her basket and have the whole house for herself at night is not what we want.
We don't like this for several reasons, especially when it starts getting cold again and you want to keep the bed room door closed. At the moment there is not more than 5 cents worth of snow on the Peak, but in 3 months we probably have to use the heater again.
During the day Schatzi looks totally depressed, barely gets out of her basket, we have to add water to her food again, because we don't see her drinking anything. She is listless and looks sad.
She plateaued with learning new things, she is more skittish than she has been in several weeks, she even tried to climb in the back seat when she was so comfortable in the car already.
And an important thing, we cannot understand her reluctance to go into the backyard during the day.
Early in the morning, everything is fine.
She even walks in and out several times, tracking the fox and see what' s new. She pees, she poos, she enjoys being outside, runs up the stairs many times with her squeaky toy and even plays a little catch with Dad.
As soon as breakfast is over, she is in her shut down mode and it is almost impossible to make her go outside for the rest of the day.
Andy is out with her in the afternoon for at least half an hour persuading her to walk around and pee . No results .
After dinner, Dad and Andy are out again, hoping for her to do something. She is panicky and wants to go inside, running between Dad and a door. She is most of the time back on her "Once - a - day - pee " plan.
So I emailed Ellen, a behaviorist and trainer for the mill dogs.
She talked with Andy, just when we came home in a terrible hail storm. It sounded like a base ball bat is hitting the car, but amazingly, there was no damage.
Any time I think, I need to get a little help, info , insight --- what ever it is , things seem to resolve themselves.
The noisy Fourth of July and several nights before and after, are gone.
Schatzi was relatively calm. She almost slept through a few thunderstorms and hail pelting the roof without trembling and hiding in Dad's office. Things are coming along.
The sleeping arrangements got worked out too. Schatzi has Faustimaus' old soft sided bed next to her Dad's . She climbs up the steps into our bed, tussles and gets petted a little and then hops into her own . When she wakes up Dad , it's closer to 6 then 5 by now. Big improvement.
We have her now 3 months and she is doing really well. All in all, she is not the typical dog.
One of my pool friends, has 4 dogs, 1 regular, 2 from the pound and a Sheltie from the mill rescue. The Sheltie lived under a recliner for months. This was his safe place. He would not come out even to eat.
She also said, it takes a very long time for the animals to feel a bit more confident and loose their fear of people. Even after a year, he still pees in the house. He will go out with the other dogs, watch how their business is done, and then come inside and do it there.
Am I complaining ? No way.
We see nothing physically wrong with her, she eats well most of the time and figured out what her favorite flavors are.
Smoked bacon with eggs in the morning and anything that comes from one of the octagonal little trays. Filet Mignon, Porter house Steaks , New York strip ......all in little chunks. This is so convenient .
As a bed night snack she loves a little bit of people food. Rice with chicken, rice with chopped steak, or a meatball with rice. I add mashed carrots occasionally too.
She enjoys the vet approved chewies, she loves the green Willy and still, something is not quite right.
She suddenly does not want to sleep with the herd anymore.
Letting her sleep in her basket and have the whole house for herself at night is not what we want.
We don't like this for several reasons, especially when it starts getting cold again and you want to keep the bed room door closed. At the moment there is not more than 5 cents worth of snow on the Peak, but in 3 months we probably have to use the heater again.
During the day Schatzi looks totally depressed, barely gets out of her basket, we have to add water to her food again, because we don't see her drinking anything. She is listless and looks sad.
She plateaued with learning new things, she is more skittish than she has been in several weeks, she even tried to climb in the back seat when she was so comfortable in the car already.
And an important thing, we cannot understand her reluctance to go into the backyard during the day.
Early in the morning, everything is fine.
She even walks in and out several times, tracking the fox and see what' s new. She pees, she poos, she enjoys being outside, runs up the stairs many times with her squeaky toy and even plays a little catch with Dad.
As soon as breakfast is over, she is in her shut down mode and it is almost impossible to make her go outside for the rest of the day.
Andy is out with her in the afternoon for at least half an hour persuading her to walk around and pee . No results .
After dinner, Dad and Andy are out again, hoping for her to do something. She is panicky and wants to go inside, running between Dad and a door. She is most of the time back on her "Once - a - day - pee " plan.
So I emailed Ellen, a behaviorist and trainer for the mill dogs.
She talked with Andy, just when we came home in a terrible hail storm. It sounded like a base ball bat is hitting the car, but amazingly, there was no damage.
Any time I think, I need to get a little help, info , insight --- what ever it is , things seem to resolve themselves.
The noisy Fourth of July and several nights before and after, are gone.
Schatzi was relatively calm. She almost slept through a few thunderstorms and hail pelting the roof without trembling and hiding in Dad's office. Things are coming along.
The sleeping arrangements got worked out too. Schatzi has Faustimaus' old soft sided bed next to her Dad's . She climbs up the steps into our bed, tussles and gets petted a little and then hops into her own . When she wakes up Dad , it's closer to 6 then 5 by now. Big improvement.
We have her now 3 months and she is doing really well. All in all, she is not the typical dog.
One of my pool friends, has 4 dogs, 1 regular, 2 from the pound and a Sheltie from the mill rescue. The Sheltie lived under a recliner for months. This was his safe place. He would not come out even to eat.
She also said, it takes a very long time for the animals to feel a bit more confident and loose their fear of people. Even after a year, he still pees in the house. He will go out with the other dogs, watch how their business is done, and then come inside and do it there.
Am I complaining ? No way.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Mollie
Several months ago, one of my pool friends, Maryanne, mentioned, that her granddaughter Sara is going to college in Wisconsin and she has to find a home for her little dachsie.
Me me me ! We can take care for a dachsie , we know how they operate and we would have a very good home for dachsies.
Plans changed, the dog will go with Sara and they will live in an apartment.
This got the whole ball rolling.
Crissy checked with the Humane Society on line for a dachshund and how awful to say, we rejected Lucy Lu because of her known tendencies to be aggressive.
Beginning of April we adopted Schatzi so we were not doggieless anymore.
Just 3 days ago, Maryanne told me, that the apartment in Wisconsin is out, and Sara has to live in a dorm. The tiny dachsie now needs a home urgently, because moving day is in about 5 weeks.
Here walks Mollie into the house.
Confident, a small very long mini dachshund, black with a pink harness and curly long hair. Experienced in house matters, aha, the living room, check, the kitchen, the doggie water and kibble and oh boy , the door to the backyard ! Down the ramp, cruising through Schatzi's known universe and peeing.
All this had to be conquered slowly over several weeks , and Mollie acts nonchalant like there is nothing to it.
Dad carried Schatzi outside, the girls made the obligatory butt sniffing meeting , the tails were wagging and things looked good.
A potential sister . It would be good for Schatzi to learn from a well behaved dog how to be a dog, learn not to be afraid of the slightest noise and feel confident in all phases of doggiedom.
I suggested, Sara should come several times to just play and have them get used to each other .
12 days later:
Not a word from Sara and Mollie.
Andy thinks, she will not give up her little dachsie and who am I to blame her. There is no way I could give up a dog.
Email from Clar :
Wow … what exciting news … so I guess the new dog is named Mollie since that is the subject of your email. Sounds like Schatzi is going to accept her … it might be just the thing that she would really love to have … a sister!
Me me me ! We can take care for a dachsie , we know how they operate and we would have a very good home for dachsies.
Plans changed, the dog will go with Sara and they will live in an apartment.
This got the whole ball rolling.
Crissy checked with the Humane Society on line for a dachshund and how awful to say, we rejected Lucy Lu because of her known tendencies to be aggressive.
Beginning of April we adopted Schatzi so we were not doggieless anymore.
Just 3 days ago, Maryanne told me, that the apartment in Wisconsin is out, and Sara has to live in a dorm. The tiny dachsie now needs a home urgently, because moving day is in about 5 weeks.
Here walks Mollie into the house.
Confident, a small very long mini dachshund, black with a pink harness and curly long hair. Experienced in house matters, aha, the living room, check, the kitchen, the doggie water and kibble and oh boy , the door to the backyard ! Down the ramp, cruising through Schatzi's known universe and peeing.
All this had to be conquered slowly over several weeks , and Mollie acts nonchalant like there is nothing to it.
Dad carried Schatzi outside, the girls made the obligatory butt sniffing meeting , the tails were wagging and things looked good.
A potential sister . It would be good for Schatzi to learn from a well behaved dog how to be a dog, learn not to be afraid of the slightest noise and feel confident in all phases of doggiedom.
I suggested, Sara should come several times to just play and have them get used to each other .
12 days later:
Not a word from Sara and Mollie.
Andy thinks, she will not give up her little dachsie and who am I to blame her. There is no way I could give up a dog.
Email from Clar :
Wow … what exciting news … so I guess the new dog is named Mollie since that is the subject of your email. Sounds like Schatzi is going to accept her … it might be just the thing that she would really love to have … a sister!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Pillow speaker
A kitty was under the bird feeder this morning.
A big white cat, bigger than Schatzi, was waiting to supplement her breakfast.
I have no experience with cats, but I understand they hunt just for the fun of it and not for lack of food . So kitty, no killing allowed here.
Schatzi discovered the cat on her morning patrol. She dashed up on the deck and barked from as far away as possible. Dad to the rescue, like always. The cat was not interested in vacating the spot, but eventually had to remove herself into Betty's yard. Then it was safe for Schatzi to run all the way to the edge of the rocks and bark : " And don't come back ". She has spurts of bravery.
Schatzi said : I did a little house cleaning in your bed, and look what I found under your pillow ! A very long thin chewie, I tasted it, it was not good at all and I took care of it -- so you don't have to bother ! Well guess what, this was my pillow speaker for my little radio at night. Now it will be very boring until I get another one.
I barely remember anything, that the dachsies chewed up and destroyed, except for the carpet excavating work.
I was not at home, when Waldi got trapped in the small bedroom after a strong draft shut the door . Remembering his ancestral skills digging for badgers, he started tunneling under the door to get out. Faustimaus in the mean time helped from the hall way, however in front of another bed room door. They both worked hard, shredding two big patches of wall to wall carpet but had no success getting Waldi out.
Ohren, our food expert, demolished Gundi's ginger bread men and sampled 8 ginger bread houses.
It really was proof of how skillful and determined a little short legged dachsie can be.
Eight large ginger bread houses, all decorated and ready to go to a craft show, were sitting on the dining room table. Ohren with lot's of effort managed to get up on a dining room chair and from there up on to the table. He took a bite out of every house, just a corner of the roof.
He must have just eaten the royal icing, because I think, I could repair the damage.
The ginger men cookies, however, were just crumbs, when Ohren was done.
The cookies had red ribbons to hang on greenery in a floor vase. They were nicely decorated had cinnamon buttons and their names written in icing.
After the holidays the cookies were packed away in a large metal coffee can, inside a box and stored in the basement.
The following year at Christmas the box came upstairs again.
When the dachsies were alone at home, Ohren worked through the card board box, pulled out the coffee can and opened the lid . Superior nose work.
That was the end of the ginger men.
A big white cat, bigger than Schatzi, was waiting to supplement her breakfast.
I have no experience with cats, but I understand they hunt just for the fun of it and not for lack of food . So kitty, no killing allowed here.
Schatzi discovered the cat on her morning patrol. She dashed up on the deck and barked from as far away as possible. Dad to the rescue, like always. The cat was not interested in vacating the spot, but eventually had to remove herself into Betty's yard. Then it was safe for Schatzi to run all the way to the edge of the rocks and bark : " And don't come back ". She has spurts of bravery.
Schatzi said : I did a little house cleaning in your bed, and look what I found under your pillow ! A very long thin chewie, I tasted it, it was not good at all and I took care of it -- so you don't have to bother ! Well guess what, this was my pillow speaker for my little radio at night. Now it will be very boring until I get another one.
I barely remember anything, that the dachsies chewed up and destroyed, except for the carpet excavating work.
I was not at home, when Waldi got trapped in the small bedroom after a strong draft shut the door . Remembering his ancestral skills digging for badgers, he started tunneling under the door to get out. Faustimaus in the mean time helped from the hall way, however in front of another bed room door. They both worked hard, shredding two big patches of wall to wall carpet but had no success getting Waldi out.
Ohren, our food expert, demolished Gundi's ginger bread men and sampled 8 ginger bread houses.
It really was proof of how skillful and determined a little short legged dachsie can be.
Eight large ginger bread houses, all decorated and ready to go to a craft show, were sitting on the dining room table. Ohren with lot's of effort managed to get up on a dining room chair and from there up on to the table. He took a bite out of every house, just a corner of the roof.
He must have just eaten the royal icing, because I think, I could repair the damage.
The ginger men cookies, however, were just crumbs, when Ohren was done.
The cookies had red ribbons to hang on greenery in a floor vase. They were nicely decorated had cinnamon buttons and their names written in icing.
After the holidays the cookies were packed away in a large metal coffee can, inside a box and stored in the basement.
The following year at Christmas the box came upstairs again.
When the dachsies were alone at home, Ohren worked through the card board box, pulled out the coffee can and opened the lid . Superior nose work.
That was the end of the ginger men.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
From Andy
Schatzi’s Progress Report
It is amazing how much progress Schatzi has made since she first got here.
When she first showed up, she used to sit curled up in a ball in her basket and wouldn’t leave until she was sure we weren’t anywhere nearby and couldn’t see her. When we took her out, she flat out refused to come anywhere near arms length, and forget picking her up. She also ran for the door at the slightest noise from over the fence or on the next street. Even the wind sent her packing.
But things have changed.
Slowly but surely, she’s gotten much more comfortable. These days, she stretches out to full length in her basket and she’ll even plant herself on the kitchen floor sometimes. She’s also found a new “basket” under dad’s desk.
She freely explores the whole house now, except for the basement which remains a mysterious forbidden zone.
She has learned to bark at intruders, like the evil cat that keeps sneaking into the back yard. She isn’t chasing the cat yet, but she does bark and she happily gives it a “good riddance” bark once the humans have chased it off.
When we take her out, she not only romps around and plays, but she also tries to jump up on dad’s lap. She even lets us pet her and pick her up. And, interestingly, she will actively run her head under dad’s hand when she wants to be petted.
Also, noises don’t bother her as much as they used to. Thunder still does, and she doesn’t like motorcycles or workmen, but she doesn’t freak out and run for the door anymore at every little noise.
In the evenings, she explores the house and plays with her toys. She runs around and jumps on dad. She’s learned to take herself out too, though sadly, she hasn’t learned to tell us yet that she wants out. This could become a problem in winter, but hasn’t been a big problem yet.
All in all, she’s become a very friendly, happy little doggie. She’s still neurotic and skittish, but she’s getting much better
It is amazing how much progress Schatzi has made since she first got here.
When she first showed up, she used to sit curled up in a ball in her basket and wouldn’t leave until she was sure we weren’t anywhere nearby and couldn’t see her. When we took her out, she flat out refused to come anywhere near arms length, and forget picking her up. She also ran for the door at the slightest noise from over the fence or on the next street. Even the wind sent her packing.
But things have changed.
Slowly but surely, she’s gotten much more comfortable. These days, she stretches out to full length in her basket and she’ll even plant herself on the kitchen floor sometimes. She’s also found a new “basket” under dad’s desk.
She freely explores the whole house now, except for the basement which remains a mysterious forbidden zone.
She has learned to bark at intruders, like the evil cat that keeps sneaking into the back yard. She isn’t chasing the cat yet, but she does bark and she happily gives it a “good riddance” bark once the humans have chased it off.
When we take her out, she not only romps around and plays, but she also tries to jump up on dad’s lap. She even lets us pet her and pick her up. And, interestingly, she will actively run her head under dad’s hand when she wants to be petted.
Also, noises don’t bother her as much as they used to. Thunder still does, and she doesn’t like motorcycles or workmen, but she doesn’t freak out and run for the door anymore at every little noise.
In the evenings, she explores the house and plays with her toys. She runs around and jumps on dad. She’s learned to take herself out too, though sadly, she hasn’t learned to tell us yet that she wants out. This could become a problem in winter, but hasn’t been a big problem yet.
All in all, she’s become a very friendly, happy little doggie. She’s still neurotic and skittish, but she’s getting much better
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Bed Stairs
Any day that I can wear a sweat shirt is a great day !
I cannot believe my luck that we had 2 really wet and cold days. What a treat after 97 degree heat already. It reminds me of where I lived for 9 years, always cold and wet. Frequently the heater was on in July still.
Although there is barely any sun, the plants are lush and the grass is emerald, the flowers are insanely beautiful and the conifers never turn gray.
The sky is uniformly milky with rarely a defined cloud, this makes it boring real fast.
My friend Clar came to meet Schatzi and the doggie was curious and never growled. Schatzi was comfortable, because they were both practically sitting on the same level, since Clair can sit on the floor and still can get up. And I can barely get out of a chair.
That is also why I very much appreciate her help and thank her for planting 5 pots of petunias on my " mini slope ", right in front of the door.
Schatzi wears cute little pantaloons and occasionally, something sticks to her fluffy hair. This needs to be cleaned off. It is amazing that she stays so clean and silky at all, although she is the roller queen of the back yard.
Dad held her and I had the wet paper towel ready, to wipe off what ever it was.
Dad touched her tail and instantly she screamed and turned on him and snapped.
You should think, she knows we would never hurt her, but there is still a lot of fear from her puppy mill days. We think, they use artificial insemination and are not very gentle either.
So what ever it was, stayed in her hair, until I brushed it out in the car.
She loves people watching in busy parking lots, just like a lady in a hotel lobby. I have a lot of time in the car to brush her double coat. Amazing how much super fine wool gets combed out, even without having knots or mats in her hair. I should save it and give it to the birds next spring for building material.
We have always been very accommodating to all our doggies. This makes life better for all of them because they are members of the family too.
We actually bought a car once with a special wide rear window ledge, so Raskal could lay there and watch the world. That was 1970 when we also had a hammock in the back seat for baby Andy. There was no talk of seat belts yet.With all these precautions, I wonder how we lived that long.
Waldi and Schnapps had heated beds which helped with the arthritis stiffness.
Fausti ate dinner elevated on a phone book. Bending down too far caused breathing problems. And of course Barbara was our doggie sitter.
And now we have a tiny rubber mat under Schatzi's food bowl otherwise she would have to chase it all over the floor. The same for her bed. A big piece of non skid mat under her wicker basket and it will not slide.
Now, her Dad bought stairs for her to climb into our bed. These stairs are about 40 pounds, made of wood, are carpeted, and reach almost to the top of the mattress.
Dad put a few little pieces of chewie on the stairs, which she carefully picked up.
Next morning Dad went back to bed while she played her heart out with the green Willy. Wait a minute, Dad is not throwing the squeaky toy anymore ? Schatzi just hopped onto the stairs and there she was -- wow, a new whole play ground !
She is a smart little girl and catches on very fast.
I cannot believe my luck that we had 2 really wet and cold days. What a treat after 97 degree heat already. It reminds me of where I lived for 9 years, always cold and wet. Frequently the heater was on in July still.
Although there is barely any sun, the plants are lush and the grass is emerald, the flowers are insanely beautiful and the conifers never turn gray.
The sky is uniformly milky with rarely a defined cloud, this makes it boring real fast.
My friend Clar came to meet Schatzi and the doggie was curious and never growled. Schatzi was comfortable, because they were both practically sitting on the same level, since Clair can sit on the floor and still can get up. And I can barely get out of a chair.
That is also why I very much appreciate her help and thank her for planting 5 pots of petunias on my " mini slope ", right in front of the door.
Schatzi wears cute little pantaloons and occasionally, something sticks to her fluffy hair. This needs to be cleaned off. It is amazing that she stays so clean and silky at all, although she is the roller queen of the back yard.
Dad held her and I had the wet paper towel ready, to wipe off what ever it was.
Dad touched her tail and instantly she screamed and turned on him and snapped.
You should think, she knows we would never hurt her, but there is still a lot of fear from her puppy mill days. We think, they use artificial insemination and are not very gentle either.
So what ever it was, stayed in her hair, until I brushed it out in the car.
She loves people watching in busy parking lots, just like a lady in a hotel lobby. I have a lot of time in the car to brush her double coat. Amazing how much super fine wool gets combed out, even without having knots or mats in her hair. I should save it and give it to the birds next spring for building material.
We have always been very accommodating to all our doggies. This makes life better for all of them because they are members of the family too.
We actually bought a car once with a special wide rear window ledge, so Raskal could lay there and watch the world. That was 1970 when we also had a hammock in the back seat for baby Andy. There was no talk of seat belts yet.With all these precautions, I wonder how we lived that long.
Waldi and Schnapps had heated beds which helped with the arthritis stiffness.
Fausti ate dinner elevated on a phone book. Bending down too far caused breathing problems. And of course Barbara was our doggie sitter.
And now we have a tiny rubber mat under Schatzi's food bowl otherwise she would have to chase it all over the floor. The same for her bed. A big piece of non skid mat under her wicker basket and it will not slide.
Now, her Dad bought stairs for her to climb into our bed. These stairs are about 40 pounds, made of wood, are carpeted, and reach almost to the top of the mattress.
Dad put a few little pieces of chewie on the stairs, which she carefully picked up.
Next morning Dad went back to bed while she played her heart out with the green Willy. Wait a minute, Dad is not throwing the squeaky toy anymore ? Schatzi just hopped onto the stairs and there she was -- wow, a new whole play ground !
She is a smart little girl and catches on very fast.
Two months
We have Schatzi a little over 2 months now.
She made tremendous progress in many areas to become a free and happy doggie.
She is starting to assert herself a little but still has a very long way to overcome her past. Her known universe is the back yard and just a small part of the house. The car is by now a safe extension of her home and that is about the size of her world.
She has no need for the dining area, never checked out a bathroom and is not curious to go down stairs or take the laundry basket apart.
Having to go out front causes terrible anxiety, being on the leash makes her dig in and she refuses to move even a quarter inch.
She still won't take a treat from our hand and mostly only eats when no on is in the kitchen. She slinks by me on the way to see Dad, with a small detour, head down and tail very low as if she were invisible.
Schatzi plays very happily only early in the morning. After breakfast she naps and stays quietly in her basket or takes long excursions into Dad's office.
At night she climbs the mountain of Dad , walking in his face and pushing her little head under his hand. Are you dead ? Why are you not petting me ? She wants to balance on 2 inches of mattress to look for the moon and won't settle down for the night. A nocturnal doggie, she is not cooperating with Andy's " Sleep - at - night " plan .
I wonder if we should push her to experience new things or let her discover the world on her own comfortable pace and without fear. I vote for her own pace.
A dog trainer always asks, who is the boss on the end of the leash ?
Schatzi definitely, but she is also not the typical little girl.
From Diane
I enjoyed reading some of the blog on schatzi. she has a cute picture. i think she has found a lovely home and family now. i praise you emmett, and andy for spending so much time and effort with her. i'm sure you all have secured a special place in the hereafter. hopefully it'll be the same place that cat owners go to so we can all enjoy the animals.
From Clar
Hi Gaylee … I read the tail of Schatzi and found it very interesting. No wonder Andy wrote a book .. he got the talent from his mother… it's something you would probably like to do also. I will look forward to further entries of Schatzi's tail!
From John
Glad to hear about the progress. It’s a challenge and I admire both of you rescuing her. Not many people would do it.
Keep the reports coming.
She made tremendous progress in many areas to become a free and happy doggie.
She is starting to assert herself a little but still has a very long way to overcome her past. Her known universe is the back yard and just a small part of the house. The car is by now a safe extension of her home and that is about the size of her world.
She has no need for the dining area, never checked out a bathroom and is not curious to go down stairs or take the laundry basket apart.
Having to go out front causes terrible anxiety, being on the leash makes her dig in and she refuses to move even a quarter inch.
She still won't take a treat from our hand and mostly only eats when no on is in the kitchen. She slinks by me on the way to see Dad, with a small detour, head down and tail very low as if she were invisible.
Schatzi plays very happily only early in the morning. After breakfast she naps and stays quietly in her basket or takes long excursions into Dad's office.
At night she climbs the mountain of Dad , walking in his face and pushing her little head under his hand. Are you dead ? Why are you not petting me ? She wants to balance on 2 inches of mattress to look for the moon and won't settle down for the night. A nocturnal doggie, she is not cooperating with Andy's " Sleep - at - night " plan .
I wonder if we should push her to experience new things or let her discover the world on her own comfortable pace and without fear. I vote for her own pace.
A dog trainer always asks, who is the boss on the end of the leash ?
Schatzi definitely, but she is also not the typical little girl.
From Diane
I enjoyed reading some of the blog on schatzi. she has a cute picture. i think she has found a lovely home and family now. i praise you emmett, and andy for spending so much time and effort with her. i'm sure you all have secured a special place in the hereafter. hopefully it'll be the same place that cat owners go to so we can all enjoy the animals.
From Clar
Hi Gaylee … I read the tail of Schatzi and found it very interesting. No wonder Andy wrote a book .. he got the talent from his mother… it's something you would probably like to do also. I will look forward to further entries of Schatzi's tail!
From John
Glad to hear about the progress. It’s a challenge and I admire both of you rescuing her. Not many people would do it.
Keep the reports coming.
Monday, June 7, 2010
A roof for Dad's Birthday
Happy Birthday Dad !
What a day that was !
On morning patrol at 5:20 in the yard, the fox jumped over the fence on his way home from the night shift.
Totally surprised, Dad told him to go back into the next yard. All he probably wanted was retrieving a dead tiny bunny that he stored in the rocks. With a shovel, Dad threw the bunny into Betty's yard since nobody lived there anymore . So the fox can take it home to his family.
Assuming the fox is still hiding close by, Schatzi's doggie door was closed for her routine running in and out and looking for peanut butter sandwich bites. She usually brings some bread in, does not eat it anymore but keeps the pieces in her baskets.
The roofers came early.
They backed up to the garage with their truck, a trailer, an air compressor and 6 guys with several ladders climbing up on the house.
The big packages of " Amber " Corning shingles were hoisted up there several days earlier with a conveyor belt.
Interesting to us, the crew took a picture with the cell phone of the house with the packages on the roof. Proof of delivery.
Today it was really noisy and Schatzi is still very afraid of unusual sounds.
The heavy steps on the roof, the tearing of the old shingles , and large sheets sailing pass the windows scared Schatzi terribly.
Ripping, hammering, people walking over head, dropping heavy boxes, the staple guns popping and the compressor hissing in front of the door and the house was shaking many times.
Even the plates on the wall jingled and moved a bit on their metallic springs.
Schatzi stayed with Dad all day sitting among all his treasures in his office. She sat there , quiet like a stuffed teddy bear next to the guitar cases, the printers, book bags, just stuff, more stuff and several computers and pretended to be invisible.
During a break of relative silence, we knew it was lunch time, Schatzi headed for the living room to do her business.
For days by now, after a string of 5 poos in the house she is always going out, even on her own - when the doggie door is open. She does not know how to scratch on the door, but we all know her little signs when she wants to go out.
Carried outside by Andy for assurance, she realizes that the yard is littered with shingles. There is no way she can step over this and therefore she can't get back into the house. Andy had to move some of the pieces out of her way and when she thought it was safe she made a dash for the door, right when the AC is kicking in ! This is new for her too ! Another scare !
Schatzi is afraid and confused.
To end the day with more fear, the ball game finished with a big bang fireworks.
What a day that was !
On morning patrol at 5:20 in the yard, the fox jumped over the fence on his way home from the night shift.
Totally surprised, Dad told him to go back into the next yard. All he probably wanted was retrieving a dead tiny bunny that he stored in the rocks. With a shovel, Dad threw the bunny into Betty's yard since nobody lived there anymore . So the fox can take it home to his family.
Assuming the fox is still hiding close by, Schatzi's doggie door was closed for her routine running in and out and looking for peanut butter sandwich bites. She usually brings some bread in, does not eat it anymore but keeps the pieces in her baskets.
The roofers came early.
They backed up to the garage with their truck, a trailer, an air compressor and 6 guys with several ladders climbing up on the house.
The big packages of " Amber " Corning shingles were hoisted up there several days earlier with a conveyor belt.
Interesting to us, the crew took a picture with the cell phone of the house with the packages on the roof. Proof of delivery.
Today it was really noisy and Schatzi is still very afraid of unusual sounds.
The heavy steps on the roof, the tearing of the old shingles , and large sheets sailing pass the windows scared Schatzi terribly.
Ripping, hammering, people walking over head, dropping heavy boxes, the staple guns popping and the compressor hissing in front of the door and the house was shaking many times.
Even the plates on the wall jingled and moved a bit on their metallic springs.
Schatzi stayed with Dad all day sitting among all his treasures in his office. She sat there , quiet like a stuffed teddy bear next to the guitar cases, the printers, book bags, just stuff, more stuff and several computers and pretended to be invisible.
During a break of relative silence, we knew it was lunch time, Schatzi headed for the living room to do her business.
For days by now, after a string of 5 poos in the house she is always going out, even on her own - when the doggie door is open. She does not know how to scratch on the door, but we all know her little signs when she wants to go out.
Carried outside by Andy for assurance, she realizes that the yard is littered with shingles. There is no way she can step over this and therefore she can't get back into the house. Andy had to move some of the pieces out of her way and when she thought it was safe she made a dash for the door, right when the AC is kicking in ! This is new for her too ! Another scare !
Schatzi is afraid and confused.
To end the day with more fear, the ball game finished with a big bang fireworks.
Dogs know the clock
Every morning Schatzi wakes up Dad between 5:15 and 5:30.
The same exuberant jumping on him, running back and forth, waving the flag .
If you go to bed early, 5 a.m. is doable. and I am usually awake already when she hops around squeaking the green Willy. Occasionally, a crow yells into the window and Schatzi is up immediately. They must be in cahoots. I am not moving , hoping she would stay longer in bed, but no such luck. She knows what time it is.
The dachsies slept as long as possible and had to be evicted from the bed and carried down stairs.
I really don't remember if they ate breakfast in their older years.
I just knew, that Schnapps, our # 6 was awfully skinny and ate plenty more than the other two. He started a day with a large piece of german rye bread with liverwurst, sort of an appetizer , before the real breakfast of meat and rice.Liverwurst was a favorite, because they took medication and the pills went down easy.
During the day they always had Science diet dry dog food available.
Dinner time is 5: 30 and Schatzi knows that time too. About 10 minutes before, she comes from her hiding place in Dad's office and sails into her basket, to see how dinner is coming along.
For dinner I cooked for our dachsies for many years, mostly turkey. Before the government slapped another regulation on the butcher shops, we could buy frozen turkeys and have them saw them into large chunks. You could fill half the freezer around Thanksgiving and the meat lasted for many months.
Faustimaus of course knew the clock perfectly. It was her job to make sure dinner is not forgotten.
Dinner was at 5 and she started her dinner dance an hour before.
Just a polite woof at first, to let me know, that I don't seem to be working on dinner yet. Can't smell anything , and where are the doggie dishes ? Fausti got more insistend and started dancing in front of the fridge, stepping forward and backward , back and forth and barking. The other two were expectantly watching the performance. Finally, dinner is on the floor and everyone is happy.
The same exuberant jumping on him, running back and forth, waving the flag .
If you go to bed early, 5 a.m. is doable. and I am usually awake already when she hops around squeaking the green Willy. Occasionally, a crow yells into the window and Schatzi is up immediately. They must be in cahoots. I am not moving , hoping she would stay longer in bed, but no such luck. She knows what time it is.
The dachsies slept as long as possible and had to be evicted from the bed and carried down stairs.
I really don't remember if they ate breakfast in their older years.
I just knew, that Schnapps, our # 6 was awfully skinny and ate plenty more than the other two. He started a day with a large piece of german rye bread with liverwurst, sort of an appetizer , before the real breakfast of meat and rice.Liverwurst was a favorite, because they took medication and the pills went down easy.
During the day they always had Science diet dry dog food available.
Dinner time is 5: 30 and Schatzi knows that time too. About 10 minutes before, she comes from her hiding place in Dad's office and sails into her basket, to see how dinner is coming along.
For dinner I cooked for our dachsies for many years, mostly turkey. Before the government slapped another regulation on the butcher shops, we could buy frozen turkeys and have them saw them into large chunks. You could fill half the freezer around Thanksgiving and the meat lasted for many months.
Faustimaus of course knew the clock perfectly. It was her job to make sure dinner is not forgotten.
Dinner was at 5 and she started her dinner dance an hour before.
Just a polite woof at first, to let me know, that I don't seem to be working on dinner yet. Can't smell anything , and where are the doggie dishes ? Fausti got more insistend and started dancing in front of the fridge, stepping forward and backward , back and forth and barking. The other two were expectantly watching the performance. Finally, dinner is on the floor and everyone is happy.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The green Silly Willy
2 very dry days with almost with 90 degrees and lot's of wind.
The grass already looks stressed.
The cotton woods release a small blizzard with their white seeds and the ash tree in the middle of the yard has the northwest half of the leaves open, while the southeast is still a few days behind.
There were no miller moths this month at all. For the dachsies, the hunt was on and they were all very successful catching the insects. The moths were bumbling and slow in daylight, especially when they got evicted from their dark hiding places.
This year we have peanut flies, some kind of a small moth that came from a 50 pound bag of peanuts in the garage. Maggots crawled up the side of the freezer and turned into moths. I told one early in the fall it could stay for the winter, but I had no idea they multiplied immensely and live in dark places. I found one in the check book today !
Schatzi shows a little bit of interest in chasing the squirrels.
The squirrels take the high road along the fence and she runs below. One even had to dash up a tree, after she scared it from behind the ornamental grass. I don't know who was more surprised.
A real surprise was Bill standing by the fence . She never saw anybody ever being in the next yard ! Schatzi yelled at Bill, running away from him, barking and barking, up to the deck still barking , into the kitchen barking some more and still seriously barking until she was satisfied that the danger stayed on his own side of the fence.
We certainly know now, she can truly bark and not just giving a little warning woof.
A robin had to be rescued. Schatzi noticed the bird, who was stuck on one of the lower branches in the blue spruce. Andy carried her back inside as not to hurt the bird. Dad and Andy cut a long nylon string off the robin's leg, who got all tangled up on a branch and could not get away . That birdie would have been fox food in about 2 hours.
Schatzi is the proud owner of a green " Silly Willy ", a squeaky toy that Thelma from the pool sent her.
How much fun that is !
It did not take long for her to figure out how to squeak , how to carry it up and down the stairs, how to throw it into the air, shake it, run run run with it, race around the yard with it and loose it too ! After that she was exhausted, the tongue was almost longer than the little body, she drank water several times ( hurrah ! ) and slept til 6 the next day.
This was great for Dad, because normally 5: 15 in the morning comes very early.
The grass already looks stressed.
The cotton woods release a small blizzard with their white seeds and the ash tree in the middle of the yard has the northwest half of the leaves open, while the southeast is still a few days behind.
There were no miller moths this month at all. For the dachsies, the hunt was on and they were all very successful catching the insects. The moths were bumbling and slow in daylight, especially when they got evicted from their dark hiding places.
This year we have peanut flies, some kind of a small moth that came from a 50 pound bag of peanuts in the garage. Maggots crawled up the side of the freezer and turned into moths. I told one early in the fall it could stay for the winter, but I had no idea they multiplied immensely and live in dark places. I found one in the check book today !
Schatzi shows a little bit of interest in chasing the squirrels.
The squirrels take the high road along the fence and she runs below. One even had to dash up a tree, after she scared it from behind the ornamental grass. I don't know who was more surprised.
A real surprise was Bill standing by the fence . She never saw anybody ever being in the next yard ! Schatzi yelled at Bill, running away from him, barking and barking, up to the deck still barking , into the kitchen barking some more and still seriously barking until she was satisfied that the danger stayed on his own side of the fence.
We certainly know now, she can truly bark and not just giving a little warning woof.
A robin had to be rescued. Schatzi noticed the bird, who was stuck on one of the lower branches in the blue spruce. Andy carried her back inside as not to hurt the bird. Dad and Andy cut a long nylon string off the robin's leg, who got all tangled up on a branch and could not get away . That birdie would have been fox food in about 2 hours.
Schatzi is the proud owner of a green " Silly Willy ", a squeaky toy that Thelma from the pool sent her.
How much fun that is !
It did not take long for her to figure out how to squeak , how to carry it up and down the stairs, how to throw it into the air, shake it, run run run with it, race around the yard with it and loose it too ! After that she was exhausted, the tongue was almost longer than the little body, she drank water several times ( hurrah ! ) and slept til 6 the next day.
This was great for Dad, because normally 5: 15 in the morning comes very early.
Going to the groomer
Schatzi went to the groomer.
She looks gorgeous, just like a little star. Briget Bardot never looked that good.
Her blond hair is puffed up, falls softly without any partitions in it and she still has a faint smell of doggie parfum. That we can do without.
Her little light colored nails got clipped and the curls on her paws and the hair in between the pads is shorter.
The cutest are her fluffy feathered pantaloons .
The white tail, curled up on her back looks like a feather chrysanthemum and she is waving it around like an entertainer on the stage.
Liz, who is a national certified groomer did a wonderful job.
She did not want us to stay with Schatzi, because she would be always looking for her Dad and his protection.
Liz said, dogs are just like kids, when you drop them off at the sitter. A big scene and as soon as mom is gone, they are having fun.
Schatzi did not make a scene, but she is still totally resigned to her fate without complaining.
Later in the evening a man getting out of his car smiled at her and said " Hi, cutie " and all she did was growl.
Accepting compliments needs to be learned too.
Schatzi loves to roll, especially under the blue spruce, under the bird food and what ever good smelling things she finds in the yard.
I thought, cutting her hair would make it easier to remove stickies and keep her cooler in the summer. Liz said no.
The double coated dogs need the insulation for both warmth and cooling and stickies in her hair have to be combed out, no matter what.
The fur never grows back the way it was supposed to be, could get thicker on some places and grows in strange patches in other areas.
So she stays as pretty as she is.
She looks gorgeous, just like a little star. Briget Bardot never looked that good.
Her blond hair is puffed up, falls softly without any partitions in it and she still has a faint smell of doggie parfum. That we can do without.
Her little light colored nails got clipped and the curls on her paws and the hair in between the pads is shorter.
The cutest are her fluffy feathered pantaloons .
The white tail, curled up on her back looks like a feather chrysanthemum and she is waving it around like an entertainer on the stage.
Liz, who is a national certified groomer did a wonderful job.
She did not want us to stay with Schatzi, because she would be always looking for her Dad and his protection.
Liz said, dogs are just like kids, when you drop them off at the sitter. A big scene and as soon as mom is gone, they are having fun.
Schatzi did not make a scene, but she is still totally resigned to her fate without complaining.
Later in the evening a man getting out of his car smiled at her and said " Hi, cutie " and all she did was growl.
Accepting compliments needs to be learned too.
Schatzi loves to roll, especially under the blue spruce, under the bird food and what ever good smelling things she finds in the yard.
I thought, cutting her hair would make it easier to remove stickies and keep her cooler in the summer. Liz said no.
The double coated dogs need the insulation for both warmth and cooling and stickies in her hair have to be combed out, no matter what.
The fur never grows back the way it was supposed to be, could get thicker on some places and grows in strange patches in other areas.
So she stays as pretty as she is.
Way Too windy
Sahara weather. Extremely windy, hot, dry and the air is brown with dust. One can only sense the mountains and you could imagine, you have white caps in the hot tub.
Schatzi's exuberant conquering of the known universe, the backyard , took a big step backwards.
Breakfast got messed up, because Dad insisted on her eating with 2 people in the same kitchen.
She said sorry, not today, and refused to eat at all. Some days eating works well, some days she is back to her old frightened ways.
Out came the machines from hell, a leaf blower and a hose to clean the deck. The hose is feared by mill dogs, because their cages are being cleaned with them in it and even a well adjusted former mill survivor can just bolt.
Schatzi did not bolt anywhere, she stayed put in her safety basket and did not move all day. If a dog can be depressed, this is what she looked like.
Of course she did not drink anything either, which is still a problem. The vet suggested an ice cube of chicken broth floating in her water bowl. Flavored water. On a very warm dry day and wearing a big wool coat, this sounds yummy. How do you get her to do it ?
A recent article about drinking water for dogs reiterated the same what we heard from the vet. A dog should have a minimum of 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight.That should amount to about 1 bottle of water. There is no way she drinks that much, mostly only the liquid I pour into her food.
The chicken flavored water was a bust. She sniffed and that was all. We gave her a bowl with clear water in addition to the chicken water, so she had a choice and not go on strike entirely. Cammie, one of my pool buddies, suggested a bowl with just ice cubes, some dogs like that. Schatzi does not.
Andy took her out to pee and almost had to tie her down. The wind was screaming, the crowns of the trees mashed together and the blue spruce reached for her with the long dark arms.
Too many plastic bags flapped sharply on the dead tree next door. There was a lawn mower and several never before seen other wild things like a weed eater, a big broom and a wall of black garbage bags.. Panic mode to get into the house . Just a day to curl up tightly and retreat completely. Poor little doggie , what a scary world
Schatzi's exuberant conquering of the known universe, the backyard , took a big step backwards.
Breakfast got messed up, because Dad insisted on her eating with 2 people in the same kitchen.
She said sorry, not today, and refused to eat at all. Some days eating works well, some days she is back to her old frightened ways.
Out came the machines from hell, a leaf blower and a hose to clean the deck. The hose is feared by mill dogs, because their cages are being cleaned with them in it and even a well adjusted former mill survivor can just bolt.
Schatzi did not bolt anywhere, she stayed put in her safety basket and did not move all day. If a dog can be depressed, this is what she looked like.
Of course she did not drink anything either, which is still a problem. The vet suggested an ice cube of chicken broth floating in her water bowl. Flavored water. On a very warm dry day and wearing a big wool coat, this sounds yummy. How do you get her to do it ?
A recent article about drinking water for dogs reiterated the same what we heard from the vet. A dog should have a minimum of 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight.That should amount to about 1 bottle of water. There is no way she drinks that much, mostly only the liquid I pour into her food.
The chicken flavored water was a bust. She sniffed and that was all. We gave her a bowl with clear water in addition to the chicken water, so she had a choice and not go on strike entirely. Cammie, one of my pool buddies, suggested a bowl with just ice cubes, some dogs like that. Schatzi does not.
Andy took her out to pee and almost had to tie her down. The wind was screaming, the crowns of the trees mashed together and the blue spruce reached for her with the long dark arms.
Too many plastic bags flapped sharply on the dead tree next door. There was a lawn mower and several never before seen other wild things like a weed eater, a big broom and a wall of black garbage bags.. Panic mode to get into the house . Just a day to curl up tightly and retreat completely. Poor little doggie , what a scary world
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Going out alone
There is a gigantic world out there and Schatzi knows how to navigate in it !
She is always careful discovering something new but strictly on her terms. Once she makes up her mind, there is no holding her back.
The backyard has been explored completely.
Fox trails, standing up against the whiskey barrels to see what's in it, smelling a little under the deck. Sometimes I am lucky, I can find small peanut butter sandwiches in the grass, just for me.
The deck is the last frontier to conquer.
She finally did it ! After 6 weeks living with us, Schatzi had the courage to go outside all by herself.
What are these mill breeders doing to mess up a little dog so badly that she is afraid to go outside ?
If Dad is on the deck, Schatzi considers it safe and goes with him. But going without him is quite a feat.
There are stairs on one end of the deck and Schatzi can do stairs ! The ramp on the other end however, she is not so sure about.
We had everything double since we live in this house.
2 fences, 2 glass doors to the deck, 2 decks with 2 ramps going into the yard and 2 doggie doors.
For the dachsies stairs were bad for their backs, so we had a ramp installed.
Sort of a chicken ladder with carpet tiles on it and little cross beams to slow down the speed. I am not sure the speed bumps were necessary, more of a hindrance in retrospect, but I saw them on a real chicken ladder and I thought, they were useful.
The ramp was snug on the side of the house and everyone used it.
After the first deck fell apart, the new deck had a much nicer looking ramp.
Only problem was , Fausti, our # 5, refused to use it . With putting little treats along the board and gently nudging her up, you could think you could change a dachshund's mind. Stubborn dachshund. No way. That's it. No more using the ramp.
I think, she was afraid to fall off the sides, since the ramp had a little space between the wall and the board where she was supposed to walk.
Schatzi tackled the ramp from the ground on up and suddenly found herself on the deck . What a surprise !
Using the doggie door, which really is not a true doggie door anymore, presented no problem. Schatzi just sailed over the threshold and in she was - right in the kitchen.
The opening is just an open space with nothing in the way.
5 years ago, after Waldi died, Dad attached a piece of wire mesh to the door frame to keep the squirrels and birds out and a rare mouse too. So it was easy to just unscrew the metal again.
There were always 3 dachsies on guard duty and nobody dared to come too close to the door. Now I am a little worried, because Schatzi is not a chaser and has no job currently to keep order among the critters on the deck.
The old door had a light weight flap built into the screen door. It worked well, until 2 dachsies dashed through it at the same second.
It probably was the time when we needed a new door anyway.
She is always careful discovering something new but strictly on her terms. Once she makes up her mind, there is no holding her back.
The backyard has been explored completely.
Fox trails, standing up against the whiskey barrels to see what's in it, smelling a little under the deck. Sometimes I am lucky, I can find small peanut butter sandwiches in the grass, just for me.
The deck is the last frontier to conquer.
She finally did it ! After 6 weeks living with us, Schatzi had the courage to go outside all by herself.
What are these mill breeders doing to mess up a little dog so badly that she is afraid to go outside ?
If Dad is on the deck, Schatzi considers it safe and goes with him. But going without him is quite a feat.
There are stairs on one end of the deck and Schatzi can do stairs ! The ramp on the other end however, she is not so sure about.
We had everything double since we live in this house.
2 fences, 2 glass doors to the deck, 2 decks with 2 ramps going into the yard and 2 doggie doors.
For the dachsies stairs were bad for their backs, so we had a ramp installed.
Sort of a chicken ladder with carpet tiles on it and little cross beams to slow down the speed. I am not sure the speed bumps were necessary, more of a hindrance in retrospect, but I saw them on a real chicken ladder and I thought, they were useful.
The ramp was snug on the side of the house and everyone used it.
After the first deck fell apart, the new deck had a much nicer looking ramp.
Only problem was , Fausti, our # 5, refused to use it . With putting little treats along the board and gently nudging her up, you could think you could change a dachshund's mind. Stubborn dachshund. No way. That's it. No more using the ramp.
I think, she was afraid to fall off the sides, since the ramp had a little space between the wall and the board where she was supposed to walk.
Schatzi tackled the ramp from the ground on up and suddenly found herself on the deck . What a surprise !
Using the doggie door, which really is not a true doggie door anymore, presented no problem. Schatzi just sailed over the threshold and in she was - right in the kitchen.
The opening is just an open space with nothing in the way.
5 years ago, after Waldi died, Dad attached a piece of wire mesh to the door frame to keep the squirrels and birds out and a rare mouse too. So it was easy to just unscrew the metal again.
There were always 3 dachsies on guard duty and nobody dared to come too close to the door. Now I am a little worried, because Schatzi is not a chaser and has no job currently to keep order among the critters on the deck.
The old door had a light weight flap built into the screen door. It worked well, until 2 dachsies dashed through it at the same second.
It probably was the time when we needed a new door anyway.
Poodle foot
So many new things happened in one day.
To start the day, she tooted loudly, turning around and having no idea where that came from. That was a signal for Dad to high tail it out of bed and not playing " asleep" anymore.
After the inspection tour of the back yard, she checked for Andy's trash bag and whether there are any leather gloves still laying around by the fire wood. How lucky ! She can even run up the stairs carrying something in her mouth.
While Dad was putting all the bird food out, she decided to see how to tackle the deck. A slight step over the heat hole and there she was on the frozen deck carefully looking through the railing. 3 Humming birds were buzzing around the feeder and it snowed lightly.
The heat register right in front of the glass door is now doggie safe.
Waldi cut his little paw on the metal cover, which had a different design many years ago.
Waldi was licking and cleaning and swallowing the blood until he could not keep up with it anymore. And it took me a long time to realize what was going on.
Dad had to come home from work, because there was no way to keep that paw wrapped tightly with a towel and driving to the vet with an unwilling patient.
His foot had to be sewed up and one of the sticky bandages was wrapped around. Every time it was just moist outside, a plastic sandwich bag had to be put around the paw also. And you had to be sure, the paw stayed dry and did not get a fungal infection.
As an aside, Schatzi now has a " poodle foot ". While being in the hospital, she needed an IV to rehydrate her. For this, her left front foot had to be shaved and looks now like one of those crazed high maintenance drum stick hair cuts.
Upstairs in bed again waiting for mom and dad to put their fur on she wanted to speed up the breakfast preparations. If I am going down there ...... I could eat... at least, the dry appetizers are ready ....
Schatzi calculated the jump and gracefully sailed off the bed half way to the door. A safe landing and the knees seem to be fine.
A fast peek at several interesting places on the way to the kitchen, that's an office, another bedroom, look at that bathroom, there is a closed door and the stairs are fascinating too !
Schatzi then waits patiently in her basket. I always wonder why she is so contended , especially in the evening where she could sit with Dad or Andy on the couch and get petted.
Apparently, after living in that rabbit cage in the mill for 4 years, she is probably so used to being alone.
The dachsies had their reserved seating in the evening.
Waldi between the armrest and me and what was leftover from that couch was all Fausti's. She even threw several pillows on the floor which she deemed unnecessary.
Schnapps sat next to Dad on the other couch, mostly under some blankets, because he was always cold.
None of the guys were the slightest bit interested in TV, including the Westminster dog show.
To start the day, she tooted loudly, turning around and having no idea where that came from. That was a signal for Dad to high tail it out of bed and not playing " asleep" anymore.
After the inspection tour of the back yard, she checked for Andy's trash bag and whether there are any leather gloves still laying around by the fire wood. How lucky ! She can even run up the stairs carrying something in her mouth.
While Dad was putting all the bird food out, she decided to see how to tackle the deck. A slight step over the heat hole and there she was on the frozen deck carefully looking through the railing. 3 Humming birds were buzzing around the feeder and it snowed lightly.
The heat register right in front of the glass door is now doggie safe.
Waldi cut his little paw on the metal cover, which had a different design many years ago.
Waldi was licking and cleaning and swallowing the blood until he could not keep up with it anymore. And it took me a long time to realize what was going on.
Dad had to come home from work, because there was no way to keep that paw wrapped tightly with a towel and driving to the vet with an unwilling patient.
His foot had to be sewed up and one of the sticky bandages was wrapped around. Every time it was just moist outside, a plastic sandwich bag had to be put around the paw also. And you had to be sure, the paw stayed dry and did not get a fungal infection.
As an aside, Schatzi now has a " poodle foot ". While being in the hospital, she needed an IV to rehydrate her. For this, her left front foot had to be shaved and looks now like one of those crazed high maintenance drum stick hair cuts.
Upstairs in bed again waiting for mom and dad to put their fur on she wanted to speed up the breakfast preparations. If I am going down there ...... I could eat... at least, the dry appetizers are ready ....
Schatzi calculated the jump and gracefully sailed off the bed half way to the door. A safe landing and the knees seem to be fine.
A fast peek at several interesting places on the way to the kitchen, that's an office, another bedroom, look at that bathroom, there is a closed door and the stairs are fascinating too !
Schatzi then waits patiently in her basket. I always wonder why she is so contended , especially in the evening where she could sit with Dad or Andy on the couch and get petted.
Apparently, after living in that rabbit cage in the mill for 4 years, she is probably so used to being alone.
The dachsies had their reserved seating in the evening.
Waldi between the armrest and me and what was leftover from that couch was all Fausti's. She even threw several pillows on the floor which she deemed unnecessary.
Schnapps sat next to Dad on the other couch, mostly under some blankets, because he was always cold.
None of the guys were the slightest bit interested in TV, including the Westminster dog show.
Always progressing
Six days on the bland diet and Schatzi is doing well.
In the meantime she discovered ice cream, steak from the grill, camembert with Roquefort in it, tiny pieces of eye of round, crunchy unidentifiables from under the deck, peanut butter sandwich bites and if all else fails, dried cranberries with sugar from the backyard. So much for the diet.
I still feed her four times daily small amounts of rice and chicken with lot's of water. It looks like soup, but she eats it and that's all what counts.
One more day with the antibiotic and then I am hoping that she won't have to go out at night anymore.
Poor Dad is tired. Not only taking her out at an uncivilized hour takes it's toll, but in addition, Schatzi seems to be on East coast time.
When it is still dark, she climbs on Dad's chest because she can look out the window to look for squirrels on Betty's roof.
No squirrel yet ? They are still sleeping . If she can't see anything of interest, she invites Dad to play. He looks so bored, just sleeping there. She is flying back and forth, waving her white tail like a lamp and bringing a well chewed moist piece of raw hide. It is still dark . .. sleep some more ! She rearranges her little nest and sleeps a little longer.
Schatzi still does not like to be covered at night, no matter how cold it is. During the day, she loves her blankets.
After working 3 hours on a monumental amount of Schnitzel, Crissy came for dinner and Schatzi again had an I - am - not so - happy issue. She ignores Mike totally, but Crissy warrants at least a bark. Better be out of the kitchen.
With all her courage, she left her super safety basket for an even safer hidden secret place. Schatzi dashed into the last corner of the Eckbank where it is really dark and this way avoided any disagreement . I had no idea she knew about that hiding place. It is so rare that she makes a tour of that level in the house, and she must be a lot more observant than we think. So she kept that little corner under the bench as an emergency retreat.
Crissy is leaving in the morning for Pittsburgh for the summer and Schatzi let her pet her. Things are on better paws again.
There is not enough light in the backyard and Dad is looking into installing a solar flood light.
The fox won't like it, especially since his diet has been cut back already. No more left over chicken, pizza crusts, hard boiled eggs for protein and a luxurious fur, ham or fat trimmings -- strictly only one big piece of fast food to go .
Otherwise, there is too much sampling going on for Schatzi.
Is it thunder or the cannons at Ft. Carson ? Schatzi does not care ---- she won't go out. Other household noises don't bother her anymore. The phone, the beep from the toaster oven, pulling the curtain to the deck, the cow bell on the front door so nobody can sneak in and even Oetzi, the iceman who is working in the freezer and knocks frequently.
Stairs are not difficult anymore either. She visits Dad's computer room door -- but no further - she just peeks in . As long as nobody acknowledges her she carefully looks around in the house, but don't twitch an eye lid or Schatzi is instantly back in her safety zone
In the meantime she discovered ice cream, steak from the grill, camembert with Roquefort in it, tiny pieces of eye of round, crunchy unidentifiables from under the deck, peanut butter sandwich bites and if all else fails, dried cranberries with sugar from the backyard. So much for the diet.
I still feed her four times daily small amounts of rice and chicken with lot's of water. It looks like soup, but she eats it and that's all what counts.
One more day with the antibiotic and then I am hoping that she won't have to go out at night anymore.
Poor Dad is tired. Not only taking her out at an uncivilized hour takes it's toll, but in addition, Schatzi seems to be on East coast time.
When it is still dark, she climbs on Dad's chest because she can look out the window to look for squirrels on Betty's roof.
No squirrel yet ? They are still sleeping . If she can't see anything of interest, she invites Dad to play. He looks so bored, just sleeping there. She is flying back and forth, waving her white tail like a lamp and bringing a well chewed moist piece of raw hide. It is still dark . .. sleep some more ! She rearranges her little nest and sleeps a little longer.
Schatzi still does not like to be covered at night, no matter how cold it is. During the day, she loves her blankets.
After working 3 hours on a monumental amount of Schnitzel, Crissy came for dinner and Schatzi again had an I - am - not so - happy issue. She ignores Mike totally, but Crissy warrants at least a bark. Better be out of the kitchen.
With all her courage, she left her super safety basket for an even safer hidden secret place. Schatzi dashed into the last corner of the Eckbank where it is really dark and this way avoided any disagreement . I had no idea she knew about that hiding place. It is so rare that she makes a tour of that level in the house, and she must be a lot more observant than we think. So she kept that little corner under the bench as an emergency retreat.
Crissy is leaving in the morning for Pittsburgh for the summer and Schatzi let her pet her. Things are on better paws again.
There is not enough light in the backyard and Dad is looking into installing a solar flood light.
The fox won't like it, especially since his diet has been cut back already. No more left over chicken, pizza crusts, hard boiled eggs for protein and a luxurious fur, ham or fat trimmings -- strictly only one big piece of fast food to go .
Otherwise, there is too much sampling going on for Schatzi.
Is it thunder or the cannons at Ft. Carson ? Schatzi does not care ---- she won't go out. Other household noises don't bother her anymore. The phone, the beep from the toaster oven, pulling the curtain to the deck, the cow bell on the front door so nobody can sneak in and even Oetzi, the iceman who is working in the freezer and knocks frequently.
Stairs are not difficult anymore either. She visits Dad's computer room door -- but no further - she just peeks in . As long as nobody acknowledges her she carefully looks around in the house, but don't twitch an eye lid or Schatzi is instantly back in her safety zone
Sunday, May 9, 2010
List of Dangerous Foods
Clair sent a little note to see how Schatzi is doing.
Except again for not drinking anything, she must be on the mend. She eats small meals mixed with some water to get at least a few drops in.
She goes out with Dad, plays and runs a little but won't stay out long, because the wind is still strong and it makes it very cold, especially in the shade.
Clair sent a link about an " Ask the vet " column, where he discusses nuts.
Macadamia nuts are toxic, so are walnuts and almonds.
In another piece about " Foods not to give to your dog " from the PETMD it is the same.
Avoid all nuts, except for peanuts and pecans.
The problem here comes in with my german brain, that a nut is a nut, but an almond is an almond and not a nut.
Well, we got this cleared up. No more almonds, what ever they are classified as. What was Edgar Cayce thinking ? Certainly nothing about pets.
Here is the list of dangerous foods :
-------------------------------------
All nuts except peanuts and pecans
Almonds
Chocolate,especially dark
Raisins, grapes,
Avocados, alcohol, coffee tea and other caffeine
Milk, candy and gum
Fat trimmings - can cause pancreatitis
Bones --- injured teeth and splinter stuck in the intestines
Persimmons which cause inflammation of the small intestines
Peach and plum pits contain cyanide
Raw eggs can have salmonella and interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B
Raw meat and fish, again can cause food poisoning , in addition
Salmon,shad, trout and sturgeon ( raw ) have parasites, which cause " fish disease", which can be fatal within 2 weeks.
Salt, and over the counter medicines
Baking Soda and baking powder are highly toxic so are
Nutmeg and other spices
Yeast dough, makes the tummy swell and the fermented dough turns into alcohol and could cause alcohol poisoning.
Some things I knew, but it took doggie # 7 to learn about the whole list
Except again for not drinking anything, she must be on the mend. She eats small meals mixed with some water to get at least a few drops in.
She goes out with Dad, plays and runs a little but won't stay out long, because the wind is still strong and it makes it very cold, especially in the shade.
Clair sent a link about an " Ask the vet " column, where he discusses nuts.
Macadamia nuts are toxic, so are walnuts and almonds.
In another piece about " Foods not to give to your dog " from the PETMD it is the same.
Avoid all nuts, except for peanuts and pecans.
The problem here comes in with my german brain, that a nut is a nut, but an almond is an almond and not a nut.
Well, we got this cleared up. No more almonds, what ever they are classified as. What was Edgar Cayce thinking ? Certainly nothing about pets.
Here is the list of dangerous foods :
-------------------------------------
All nuts except peanuts and pecans
Almonds
Chocolate,especially dark
Raisins, grapes,
Avocados, alcohol, coffee tea and other caffeine
Milk, candy and gum
Fat trimmings - can cause pancreatitis
Bones --- injured teeth and splinter stuck in the intestines
Persimmons which cause inflammation of the small intestines
Peach and plum pits contain cyanide
Raw eggs can have salmonella and interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B
Raw meat and fish, again can cause food poisoning , in addition
Salmon,shad, trout and sturgeon ( raw ) have parasites, which cause " fish disease", which can be fatal within 2 weeks.
Salt, and over the counter medicines
Baking Soda and baking powder are highly toxic so are
Nutmeg and other spices
Yeast dough, makes the tummy swell and the fermented dough turns into alcohol and could cause alcohol poisoning.
Some things I knew, but it took doggie # 7 to learn about the whole list
Friday, May 7, 2010
In the hospital
Schatzi is sick and had to stay in the hospital overnight !
We have her exactly one month and she had two medical procedure in that short time, a lot for a little doggie.
Schatzi was listless, threw up and Andy thought, she looked " green".
Normally you don't get exited over just vomiting once. No breakfast the next day, not interested in dinner either. Nothing to eat, nothing to drink and still she threw up again. I saw tiny bright red spots when I wiped it up - to me, this means bleeding somewhere. Our vet's office was still open, but the doctors had left. So we went to the Emergency Clinic.
The doctor was very thorough and took plenty of time. Schatzi quiet and resigned.
The diagnosis : Probably an intestinal infection, with fever, half the heart rate she is supposed to have, severely dehydrated and a dangerous high count of red blood cells.
The doctor kept her overnight with an IV to rehydrate her, an injection of antibiotics, more blood counts and X rays of her tummy.
She is now on Clavamox for 7 days and eats several small servings of a bland diet .
A bland diet
------------
Choose One of the following protein choices :
1 jar chicken, turkey or beef baby meat
1 cup cooked and drained ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Choose One of the carbohydrate sources:
2 cups well cooked white rice
2 cups well cooked pasta
Feed Schatzi a total of 1/3 to 1/2 cups divided into small feedings 3 to 4 times daily.
And water is the biggest problem. How do you bring the proverbial horse to the fountain and make her drink ? I just have to add water to Schatzi's food.
She is sleeping most of the day, covered all nested in her blanket, interested in food and actually drank a little water.
Things look better already.
We have her exactly one month and she had two medical procedure in that short time, a lot for a little doggie.
Schatzi was listless, threw up and Andy thought, she looked " green".
Normally you don't get exited over just vomiting once. No breakfast the next day, not interested in dinner either. Nothing to eat, nothing to drink and still she threw up again. I saw tiny bright red spots when I wiped it up - to me, this means bleeding somewhere. Our vet's office was still open, but the doctors had left. So we went to the Emergency Clinic.
The doctor was very thorough and took plenty of time. Schatzi quiet and resigned.
The diagnosis : Probably an intestinal infection, with fever, half the heart rate she is supposed to have, severely dehydrated and a dangerous high count of red blood cells.
The doctor kept her overnight with an IV to rehydrate her, an injection of antibiotics, more blood counts and X rays of her tummy.
She is now on Clavamox for 7 days and eats several small servings of a bland diet .
A bland diet
------------
Choose One of the following protein choices :
1 jar chicken, turkey or beef baby meat
1 cup cooked and drained ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Choose One of the carbohydrate sources:
2 cups well cooked white rice
2 cups well cooked pasta
Feed Schatzi a total of 1/3 to 1/2 cups divided into small feedings 3 to 4 times daily.
And water is the biggest problem. How do you bring the proverbial horse to the fountain and make her drink ? I just have to add water to Schatzi's food.
She is sleeping most of the day, covered all nested in her blanket, interested in food and actually drank a little water.
Things look better already.
Good morning
Mornings is Schatzi's happiest playtime.
6:30 is time to wake up Dad.
She hops around the bed, races from top to bottom the tail flying and waving. Dad pets her, tussles her big hair, and tries to win a few more minutes peace.
The chewie comes out and she throws it around, hopping back and forth until it lands into the canyon down there somewhere.
Dad gets up, puts on warm clothes over the PJ and off they go to see if the back yard is still there.
The newly discovered western perimeter must be patrolled , there you can even look into the next yard ! Interesting view, since there is only a single fence on that side.
The east side has a double slatted fence, courtesy of Schnapps, our # 6.
He hated the neighbors on that side with a passion nipping them a few times. So Dad had no choice but to build a more secure fence, especially since Schnapps was so skinny, he fit right through it.
Schatzi follows the fox trail, occasionally finding a treasure ! A Pizza crust that the squirrels did not schlepp up the big tree and a dry piece of an apple that got over looked.
Running exuberant circles like a miniature pony around Dad who is getting colder by the minute, Schatzi is finally ready to go back in. Her knees must be getting better since she is exercising a little.
She is watching for her breakfast and finally made the big decision, that eating is more important with company than waiting until the kitchen is clear.
Tummy full, curled up and covered she takes a nap.
Schatzi is not good with cleaning the dishes.
She leaves a few little pieces which would have been unheard of in the dachsie's time . They all had their bowls, putting them down and saying the name at the same time prevented disagreements.
When they were all done with eating, Waldi waited for me to see if it is okay to check for left overs. It was always okay . You could have been putting the little bowls straight back into the cup board, so clean . Just kidding. Waldi also cleaned anything he could reach in the open dish washer.
He got enough treats, but some times you had to fake him out and everybody else too.
This I learned from Mausi in Germany.
Mausi is a wirehair dachsie and on a strict diet. Her mom takes a big plate and rubs liver wurst all over it. Mausi licks and licks and thinks she is getting a really big treat.
We let Ohren our # 2 dachsie clean a wide stainless steel pan too. He stood inside the pan with 2 paws, working hard like a dish washer in a steamy restaurant, almost taking off a layer of metal. Ohren had Cushing's disease and had an enormous appetite. The vet told us to add mashed green beans to his food. This would make more volume but not a lot of calories. Still, I think, he was always hungry.
Schnapps was starving when we got him. He weight 11 pounds, had a bacterial intestinal infection and you could see his ribs. He must have been on the street for a while, running with a gang of bigger dogs, the people in the Human Society told us.
No body inquired after him when he was jail. I like to think, his owner had to go into a home and who ever took him in, let him run away. Or how they do it in Germany when vacation time comes, they just kick the dog out on the Autobahn.
Schnapps ate a great big slice of german bread with liver wurst in the morning just as an appetizer. After taking Dad to work, all of them had the real breakfast.
6:30 is time to wake up Dad.
She hops around the bed, races from top to bottom the tail flying and waving. Dad pets her, tussles her big hair, and tries to win a few more minutes peace.
The chewie comes out and she throws it around, hopping back and forth until it lands into the canyon down there somewhere.
Dad gets up, puts on warm clothes over the PJ and off they go to see if the back yard is still there.
The newly discovered western perimeter must be patrolled , there you can even look into the next yard ! Interesting view, since there is only a single fence on that side.
The east side has a double slatted fence, courtesy of Schnapps, our # 6.
He hated the neighbors on that side with a passion nipping them a few times. So Dad had no choice but to build a more secure fence, especially since Schnapps was so skinny, he fit right through it.
Schatzi follows the fox trail, occasionally finding a treasure ! A Pizza crust that the squirrels did not schlepp up the big tree and a dry piece of an apple that got over looked.
Running exuberant circles like a miniature pony around Dad who is getting colder by the minute, Schatzi is finally ready to go back in. Her knees must be getting better since she is exercising a little.
She is watching for her breakfast and finally made the big decision, that eating is more important with company than waiting until the kitchen is clear.
Tummy full, curled up and covered she takes a nap.
Schatzi is not good with cleaning the dishes.
She leaves a few little pieces which would have been unheard of in the dachsie's time . They all had their bowls, putting them down and saying the name at the same time prevented disagreements.
When they were all done with eating, Waldi waited for me to see if it is okay to check for left overs. It was always okay . You could have been putting the little bowls straight back into the cup board, so clean . Just kidding. Waldi also cleaned anything he could reach in the open dish washer.
He got enough treats, but some times you had to fake him out and everybody else too.
This I learned from Mausi in Germany.
Mausi is a wirehair dachsie and on a strict diet. Her mom takes a big plate and rubs liver wurst all over it. Mausi licks and licks and thinks she is getting a really big treat.
We let Ohren our # 2 dachsie clean a wide stainless steel pan too. He stood inside the pan with 2 paws, working hard like a dish washer in a steamy restaurant, almost taking off a layer of metal. Ohren had Cushing's disease and had an enormous appetite. The vet told us to add mashed green beans to his food. This would make more volume but not a lot of calories. Still, I think, he was always hungry.
Schnapps was starving when we got him. He weight 11 pounds, had a bacterial intestinal infection and you could see his ribs. He must have been on the street for a while, running with a gang of bigger dogs, the people in the Human Society told us.
No body inquired after him when he was jail. I like to think, his owner had to go into a home and who ever took him in, let him run away. Or how they do it in Germany when vacation time comes, they just kick the dog out on the Autobahn.
Schnapps ate a great big slice of german bread with liver wurst in the morning just as an appetizer. After taking Dad to work, all of them had the real breakfast.
Oh no, I got yelled at !
Schatzi is not consistent yet.
Some days she is skittish, barely wants to be picked up by her Dad and turns her head or crouches down when I want to pet her.
Other days walking into the house from the backyard only works when you prop the door open . It was better, when she was still on the leash. Now she will not come in when you are holding the door open, or when she sees someone in her path.
Going outside is totally out of the question and way too much asked at this junction. This will require a semester of " Basic 101 : How to go into the back yard "
The question also remains : Is she house broken ? I have no idea. There are no accidents in the house because we take her out . But Schatzi never gives us an indication, that she wants to or has to go outside.
Eating anything out of my hand still does not work.
We both like almonds in the morning in bed. Edgar Cayce said this prevents cancer . We might as well give it a try, at least, it cannot hurt. I hope it works, but he was wrong with a few other things too. I can put an almond on the pillow with my finger touching and she will pick it up. But Schatzi will not take it when I am holding it.
A chewie and a biscuit make her little nose wiggle, but taking them out of my hand is not safe yet.
When Crissy and Mike come, the kitchen activity goes into high gear. There are extra bags flying around, pots and lids clanging, casseroles come from their hiding places, there are countless trips to both refrigerators, up and down the stairs and Crissy's high heeled boots banging on the floor.
Schatzi in her basket, with a mean look in her face, barked at Crissy furiously and had to be told several times " NO ".
She set off the door bell again -- what a voice ! Very impressive, but unfortunately she still had to be corrected.
All in all, it was not a good dinner, she got yelled at for the first time. And nobody liked that and felt guilty.
To make this evening end really bad, mom kicked her accidentally when Schatzi dashed under the kitchen table and they both collided
Some days she is skittish, barely wants to be picked up by her Dad and turns her head or crouches down when I want to pet her.
Other days walking into the house from the backyard only works when you prop the door open . It was better, when she was still on the leash. Now she will not come in when you are holding the door open, or when she sees someone in her path.
Going outside is totally out of the question and way too much asked at this junction. This will require a semester of " Basic 101 : How to go into the back yard "
The question also remains : Is she house broken ? I have no idea. There are no accidents in the house because we take her out . But Schatzi never gives us an indication, that she wants to or has to go outside.
Eating anything out of my hand still does not work.
We both like almonds in the morning in bed. Edgar Cayce said this prevents cancer . We might as well give it a try, at least, it cannot hurt. I hope it works, but he was wrong with a few other things too. I can put an almond on the pillow with my finger touching and she will pick it up. But Schatzi will not take it when I am holding it.
A chewie and a biscuit make her little nose wiggle, but taking them out of my hand is not safe yet.
When Crissy and Mike come, the kitchen activity goes into high gear. There are extra bags flying around, pots and lids clanging, casseroles come from their hiding places, there are countless trips to both refrigerators, up and down the stairs and Crissy's high heeled boots banging on the floor.
Schatzi in her basket, with a mean look in her face, barked at Crissy furiously and had to be told several times " NO ".
She set off the door bell again -- what a voice ! Very impressive, but unfortunately she still had to be corrected.
All in all, it was not a good dinner, she got yelled at for the first time. And nobody liked that and felt guilty.
To make this evening end really bad, mom kicked her accidentally when Schatzi dashed under the kitchen table and they both collided
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Doggie Blankets
Christmas snow flakes and Thunder -- this they should imitate in Hof !
The Germans are frequently in competition with me how warm it is here already. Did you buy bedding plants yet ? Not yet.
I am very happy about the big wet snow flakes and the moisture that will sink in slowly. I love it cool and and Schatzi seems to like it too. She still wears her big fur coat , not her choice , and loves to be covered up in her basket.
We have 6 doggie blankets. One for each dachsie and a clean set for when they are in the laundry. The blankets are all leftover sweat shirt pieces, chenille sweaters, that were good for one season and stretched to the next house , a lining from a winter coat from Dad and a Lufthansa blanket.
The airline blanket came from my mom. She was on the inaugural Frankfurt - Denver flight and she brought all kinds of gifts. " They gave it to me," she said. Some were souvenirs but not the pillow and the blanket. But Momi had serious dementia by then and did not make a distinction between what is her's and what 's not.
We still have a sheep skin car seat cover, about 40 years old. This covers the bottom of Schatzi's basket now.
There were two sheep skins in my father's Mercedes when Andy and Crissy were toddlers.
Going to Austria one summer, my father drove down a pass following the extremely winding road along a white water river. Both kids drinking a bottle with red Kool Aid got car sick and threw up over one of the seat covers.
The non red pieces turned into little winter coats for the dachsies. Fur on the inside, denim on top, very rugged and fashionable for the West.
When Waldi got older and had arthritis and Schnapps got sick, we had 2 big soft heated pillows for them. Fausti had hot flashes, she did not care for the heated baskets. The bigger pillow is still in use without the heater. The other one is used by Skeeter and Mandy, two black Schnoodles.
Rosalie gave me brushes and combs for Schatzi which came from Thor's estate.
Thor was a busy Pomeranian who worked in a salon. He was charming to the ladies and wrapped them around his paws and got good tips with doggie cookies and slices of turkeys and sausage.
Schatzi is on the fast track to expand her world. Contrary to a puppy, which is always in discovery mode and gets into all kind of trouble, Schatzi is like a blank canvas and is carefully adding paint to the picture.
She is now looking around the corner to peek into the living room through both kitchen doors. There better be no movement or talking to her -- or a super dash back to safety.
The same goes for Andy's basement apartment. She is stretched so far, practically laying on her tummy and sneaking a peek over the edge of the stairs to see what 's down there.
Since she is allowed to go without a leash in the backyard during the day she visits all kind of interesting spots and pees more often. This has to be better for her.
Do I hear a lawn mower ? Kids ? Or party noises on someone's deck ? Keep the door open, I am racing home !
The iron bladder is in effect again.
The Germans are frequently in competition with me how warm it is here already. Did you buy bedding plants yet ? Not yet.
I am very happy about the big wet snow flakes and the moisture that will sink in slowly. I love it cool and and Schatzi seems to like it too. She still wears her big fur coat , not her choice , and loves to be covered up in her basket.
We have 6 doggie blankets. One for each dachsie and a clean set for when they are in the laundry. The blankets are all leftover sweat shirt pieces, chenille sweaters, that were good for one season and stretched to the next house , a lining from a winter coat from Dad and a Lufthansa blanket.
The airline blanket came from my mom. She was on the inaugural Frankfurt - Denver flight and she brought all kinds of gifts. " They gave it to me," she said. Some were souvenirs but not the pillow and the blanket. But Momi had serious dementia by then and did not make a distinction between what is her's and what 's not.
We still have a sheep skin car seat cover, about 40 years old. This covers the bottom of Schatzi's basket now.
There were two sheep skins in my father's Mercedes when Andy and Crissy were toddlers.
Going to Austria one summer, my father drove down a pass following the extremely winding road along a white water river. Both kids drinking a bottle with red Kool Aid got car sick and threw up over one of the seat covers.
The non red pieces turned into little winter coats for the dachsies. Fur on the inside, denim on top, very rugged and fashionable for the West.
When Waldi got older and had arthritis and Schnapps got sick, we had 2 big soft heated pillows for them. Fausti had hot flashes, she did not care for the heated baskets. The bigger pillow is still in use without the heater. The other one is used by Skeeter and Mandy, two black Schnoodles.
Rosalie gave me brushes and combs for Schatzi which came from Thor's estate.
Thor was a busy Pomeranian who worked in a salon. He was charming to the ladies and wrapped them around his paws and got good tips with doggie cookies and slices of turkeys and sausage.
Schatzi is on the fast track to expand her world. Contrary to a puppy, which is always in discovery mode and gets into all kind of trouble, Schatzi is like a blank canvas and is carefully adding paint to the picture.
She is now looking around the corner to peek into the living room through both kitchen doors. There better be no movement or talking to her -- or a super dash back to safety.
The same goes for Andy's basement apartment. She is stretched so far, practically laying on her tummy and sneaking a peek over the edge of the stairs to see what 's down there.
Since she is allowed to go without a leash in the backyard during the day she visits all kind of interesting spots and pees more often. This has to be better for her.
Do I hear a lawn mower ? Kids ? Or party noises on someone's deck ? Keep the door open, I am racing home !
The iron bladder is in effect again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)