Happy Birthday Schatzi !

We are well into the new year , with a Super moon, an early busy fire season and spring time in the Rockies. " Red flag days " warm weather and tremendous wind drying out grass and brush and the parched trees barely show any signs of green.

It is Schatzi's first birthday in our family !
Chronologically she could be 5 years old.
She is a beautiful little girl, smart and very lovable and she seems to feel comfortable in her surroundings.
Her creme colored fur is full and strong, like a little blond grizzle bear.
A year ago, hands full of hair fell out and I wanted to save it for the birds for building nests. This spring , I had to get a bag of doggie hair from Liz at the grooming salon.

We expected Schatzi to take big strides as in the early months but now there are only subtle signs of progress.
Molly and she still have no clearly established alpha dog roles. We think, for once, Schatzi does not know about it and second, she does not care.

Schatzi will voluntary hop into the big basket when she wants to go with into the car, which does not happen very often . What makes her uncomfortable seems to be that she has to be physically picked up.
If she truly has to go some where, we have to be very sneaky. A little playing and petting in bed and then unexpectedly grabbing her and carrying her into the car. Then she contentedly watches the traffic, while Molly is "Riding the wind ".

We understand her when she wants to go outside, but she is in no way clearly showing it like Molly.

The dishwasher is not quite the monster that it once was. But Schatzi still makes a half hearted detour when it is running.

Even after so many months , eating requires Dad having to leave the kitchen -- but she tolerates me. Nobody, however, can hand feed her yet.

Schatzi still loves to watch the world from the big window, snug inside and safe. Strangely however, she loves to sit on the deck, looking through the small doggie door into the kitchen completely exposing her back to the big wide world.

Schatzi is using the piddle pad every once in the while, especially in the pitch black evening.
I am quite happy about this, since we heard coyotes howling at night which really scares me.
If the girls go out after dark, the yard will be checked first and Dad goes out with a huge flash light.
This gives a little peace of mind , although I seriously doubt, that a hungry coyote will not be deterred by a Dad in the back yard . Coyotes by now live in every part of town and lost all fear of humans.

What, two presents ? For me ? Oh boy, six new Silly Willies with squeakies !
And the other pink box from the cat Mardi Gras . Another squeaky ! Thank you Mardi !
I love squeakies !
I should have had a party. Only problem is, every guest would have been hiding under the couch -- and still might have been under there.

Happy Birthday Schatzi !