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 !
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
WOOF !
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 !
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 !
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.
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