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.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
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.
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