A Little More About Dogs...

 Our best friends...

" The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man's. "

Mark Twain

"  If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you,

 but there may be something wrong with your life. "

Roger Caras

" Every dog must have its day. "

Jonathan Swift

" Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, 

and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. "

John Grogan

 " My fashion philosophy is, if you're not covered in dog hair, your life is empty. "

Elayne Boosler

" The dog lives for the day, the hour, even the moment. "

Robert Falcon Scott

" No matter how little money and few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich. "

Louis Sabin

" Opening up your life to a dog who needs a home is one of the most fulfilling things you can do. "

Emma Kenney

" Before you get a dog, you can't quite imagine what living with one might be like;

 afterwards, you can't imagine living any other way. "

Caroline Knapp

" My little dog -  a heartbeat at my feet. "

Edith Wharton

Biggi

The Cleverness Of A Little Maltese.

 Sharp as a whistle, stubborn as a donkey.

What now, you might wonder! Well, the weather gods have been and are being good to us by dumping oodles of rain upon us. We so desperately need rain. The ground is so dry it reminds one of a desert. Awful but hopefully now not anymore.

The only person who doesn't like the rain is our little prince, Maxi. During the morning I had to take him out for a pippi break and gosh darn it, he noticed the wet ground! Leg down and in he ran. Ran to his little bed under the television. His safe haven, his castle, his home. And there he has been whiling the time away.

Usually at about two o'clock he comes to see where I am in order to let me know that a bathroom break is high time. His major bathroom break, his long walk around the block and of course nature. Today, no surprise, he has been lying in his little bed looking everywhere but at me. Hiding away. Two hours longer than usual.

Once he got out to shoot the breeze with Bob ( he has a rain day-off ) until he heard me coming around the corner from the kitchen...his little legs couldn't carry him fast enough back to his haven. He just does not like the rain. He likes snow, but not rain.

Never mind, I have found a way to outsmart him. From experience I am well aware that taking a donkey for a walk would be child's play compared to him. A distance of 50 meters entails me pulling the leash whilst cajoling him, and he putting down all four of his feet. No budging him even an inch.

The only way he will brave the rain is if the matter is a matter of urgency. So with cunning I have waited those extra two hours until he came to get me. Suddenly his ablutions can be made quickly and succinctly and even mere meters from our gate. What a clown! What a sweetie!

The next few days will mean a break for me from walking him his daily three kilometres, and you know what, everyone is entitled to some laziness and eccentricity.

Biggi

Hoovering, At Pets' Displeasure.

A united front.

Isn't it funny how one little move sets them off? For Mausi it is the point when I lift the carpet runners off the floor in preparation for a hoover. From the deepest of sleeps she awakens and dashes to safety from the big bad hoover wielded by her mum.

Since the boy has moved in it transpires that he too, is far from fond of it. How does he know? Well he can hear it but see it he can't. The moment I push the on button his little head lifts up and within moments he does a dash to another room. Anywhere but here! Too funny.

The irony is that I don't like the hoover either. Not because of it looking and sounding nefarious but more mundanely due to it translating to a bit of housework. Hoovering followed by mopping the floor. Of course once the two of them are aware that the hoover has gone back to its hiding place ( behind the bedroom door ) they get very excited by the cloth being pushed forward and backward on the floor. A new game?

Maxi only has one functioning eye and at times, especially during the hoover-affair, it tends to turn into a beady eye watching my every move. Gosh at times I wonder if I should even go close to him...but no, he is as good as gold, only a bit afraid of the machine.

So, in order not to upset our animals too much I tend to limit my hoover excursion to a minimum! Oh, what parental sacrifices one does...

Biggi 

Walking Up And Down The Street.

 The rascal is on a mission.

At half past one he came to look for me. Maxi, that is. When I am at the computer in the kitchen he trots in which is his way of saying that he is ready for his afternoon walk. Far be it from me to deny him and thus yours truly dropped everything in order to obey his command.

So, we walked our usual route followed by Parsley but Maxi wasn't happy and so we turned around and walked it in reverse. Yes, he fell for it but after a long walk, meeting several people, he still hadn't done his business. The main reason for the walk and the only way I can sleep soundly at night knowing that no surprise might be underfoot!

But, Maxi couldn't go and so we went back home. I sat at the kitchen table working on my computer while he ate his treats ( god forbid I don't give him those. Pandemonium would ensue! ) when I noticed him lingering near me. Normally he goes straight to his basket for a snooze but not today.

Again I got up to take him outside for another round. He was more than pleased to be harnessed and even hopped down the steps barking his arrival outside for all and sundry. Parsley came running to join us but after literally walking up and down our street, he still hadn't done his business. Even Parsley thought this was strange and tried to bump him along. Nothing for it but to head back inside.

So, now we have an interesting evening ahead with many perambulations outside. It seems our dog has constipation, poor thing.

Walking up and down ensued in some fun encounters. A mum being dictated to by her toddler. Gosh, as small as they are, toddlers seem to have the upper hand in negotiations pulling their trump card at the drop of a hat...tears and audible crying! Makes my odd negotiations with Maxi seem rather tame in comparison. At least I haven't resorted to tears and crying yet...

Biggi

The Men Are Bonding.

 Bob and Maxi going for walks.

Bob's on leave. A nice six weeks off from work and a fabulous time for him to recharge. In a way it is a good thing that we are still in a lockdown. Staying home is mandated and what better way to unwind than to be at home.

Being at home during one's leave has a few hardships...wearing sweats all day long, reading books, staying up late or not and of course a long daily walk. My invention and contribution to Bob's leave. One long walk in the morning and at least the body is geared for the day and keeps the diabetes at bay. Honestly, I thought when I did suggest it to Bob that he would veto it but, far from it. From the first day of his leave he has joined me on the long morning perambulations. 

A village is a curious entity. When we set off for our walk the light is still a bit diffuse and the curtains and shutters seems to be closed. Yet, the other day we ran into a villager in the afternoon and she knew exactly that Bob had been walking with me every day....I spy with my little eye...

Maxi adores Bob and Bob can't walk past Maxi without giving him a cuddle. The other day I suggested to Bob that Maxi would love to be taken out for his late evening pippi break by him and, he didn't demur but gladly took Maxi outside. Remember, taking him outside takes some preparations. Harness, poo-bag ( just in case ), torch and winter coat. All the stuff one doesn't feel like doing when one is comfortably established in front of the telly. At first he asked me to put all the goodies on Maxi, but now he is a whiz at it and likes nothing better than to take the boy outside. Truth be told I think that the boy invents extra pippi emergencies in order to be taken outside by Bob! Clever little minx.

Dogs have that special magic about them, regardless of size, age and type. Life takes on a different meaning and how could it not when a little soul is reliant on one? Especially an older blind dog can teach us so much. Patience, gratitude, routine and the importance of daily walks!

Biggi

Our Feral Tomcat Has Taken A Shine To Maxi.

 An interesting friendship?

Maxi has been with us for well on four months already and in that time he has yet to take notice of Miss Mausi, a delightful and pretty feline who lives with him in our house. They sleep only meters apart, they see each other being fed and more importantly, cuddled by us. But no, not an inch of wanting to get to know her.

Once we go outside for a walk, interests change. Suddenly a cat takes on importance. Well, he can't but fail to take an interest as they are habitually stationed within a meter of our front door. All three of them, although only two ( the new grey female cat and my feline admirer ) are ardent front door watchers. All feral of course.

Not a move goes unnoticed and often when it is dark I have to be careful of my footing as my feline admirer lives to cruise and lean into my calves. Well, until a few days ago because now he has shifted most of his affection to Mr Maxi.

Once Maxi hops down our two front steps, he is met at the bottom by a friendly cat cuddling its nose into his face and fur. Gosh, they appear to be kissing, and Maxi shows no fear. Remember, he can't really see the cat and mostly goes by feel or smell. It is too cute to see them cuddling. They are both about the same size and possibly weight too. This cat is massively built, slender but powerful.

As the cat is an outside camper, I am a bit worried about fleas jumping ship and setting up house in Maxi's fur. ( To be on the safe side I bought some flea muti today and shall apply it later on. ) 

Seeing this budding friendship is so precious. There is this cat who until he came here has not had human interaction but from watching my interactions with the grey run-a-way, he has become bold enough to seek human contact. Now he can't get enough of it. Little does he know of how obsessive humans can get with cats. Our pandering over and to Mausi, being a case in point!!!

Each morning, early morning when we go for our first pippi outing, the cat comes along for the walk and after the last few days of taking note, has perfected the signals of our walk. Maxi is a creature of habit and said habit is on the first neighbour's lawn. Whilst he is busy doing his business, not wanting to be disturbed, the cat sits and waits patiently for him to finish and only then will continue to walk next to him.

Maxi doesn't like every animal, be it cat or dog. Some he barks and bares teeth at, some he cuddles with and others he  ignores. Well, I am jolly glad that he has found a new friend. Life with pets is fabulous, never boring and oh so educational...

Biggi

An Interesting Winter Ahead For Maxi & I.

 The little man doesn't like cold, rain or I suppose, snow!

Last night it started raining and of course, it continued well into the morning, the morning I usually take the boy out for his morning rituals. Calling him a boy is akin to fake news....he is an old and grumpy little man!

I know he was desperate for his outing this morning, but the minute he felt a raindrop on his back, all bets were off and he put on his four little but surprisingly strong brakes. Nothing, really nothing would budge him. At least he eventually deigned to walk to the gate and relief himself against his favourite shrub. Small mercies because after that the only way I could move him was to carry him inside.

Trying a bit later, because let's face it I live in constant fear of tripping or stepping on one of his #2s inside our house, I went a step further and got his warm coat out. Gosh, I thought he would be thrilled to step outside stylishly clad in a warm covering but no, even trying to get his feet through the foot-hole proved to be impossible and was accompanied by growls and snipes. Yikes, what a grumpy old man!

Naturally  I left him alone as I value my fingers too much but I could see that he was ashamed of his outburst and was watching my every move from his basket in his own way purveying a sense of being sorry. Cunningly I realized that eventually his need would be too great that even a few drops of rain wouldn't make a difference. Yes, true.

What will I do every morning and evening come winter? Should I offer him treats each time he does his business outside, or should I get a carry sling and carry him far enough away from the house that when I put him down, he would run straight back home and hopefully stop along the way for you know what.

The plot thickens and I fear his waistline will too. Imagine not going for long walks? No, I will have to find a way that he enjoys going for a walk with me regardless of what the weather holds in store. Fun and games ahead for sure...

Biggi

Walkies! The Eccentricities Displayed By Our Delightful Old Dog.

Are they real or is he just playing with me?

All I know is that my neighbours are having a fantastic time watching the two of us attempting our daily walk. Early mornings, when nobody watches us, are not a problem and in fact he trots around like a young pup complete with elan and a grin.

The midday, afternoon and evening sessions are the problem. Yes, he does need to go out that often because being so old his bladder isn't as strong as it used to be. Granted, it has been hot but the silly sweetheart refuses to take the route that is covered in shade. No, he wants to promenade on the main road in direct sunlight.

That's where our little power struggle starts. I try and lead him into the shade for obvious reasons but he lately puts on all four brakes and refuses to budge another millimetre. Only option ( and believe me, I have done it ) is to pick him up and carry him about a hundred meters down the forest lane. Once I put him down he can only go home. Oh yes, he knows where home is. 

Often he stops mid-walk because he gets distracted by a dog barking in the distance, a child shouting or a car approaching. Stop and no further until I coax him out of his trance. Well, today he upped the ante. We were about ten meters into our walk ( and believe me, he needed to relieve himself ) when he decided to plonk himself down in the middle of the road. Yes, as if it was nap time! Yikes, a senior moment or a play at being picked up....well, pick him up I did which is what he wanted all along judging by the silly grin he had on his face.

 Clever little one has me snookered. If I want him to do a number two, I have to agree to his terms however far-fetched or annoying they are. Well, not annoying as I quite like carrying him about...Oh yes, I can see that I created my own problem but what can you do when this little dog is so cute?

Biggi

Mr Maxi Has An Interesting Night...

Mums and their crazy ideas!

Yesterday he had a touch of stomach upset which is easy to manage for us humans-private bathrooms as often as we like-but not such fun for a dog inside with only a few scheduled bathroom breaks.

Part of this upset might have been caused by his chewing half a raw-hide bone or perhaps just one of those things. Anyway, I was alert to any and all of his movements. Bob and I took him out for a late evening walk and it seemed the business was over and done. Great. Bedtime. All of us. Not.

I woke up at ten from a deep sleep because Maxi, who had chosen the spot next to me on the floor, was chasing his tail like a lunatic and still deep in slumber land, I got up, grabbed him, put on his collar and leash and hastened outside. Not thinking farther then having him do any business outside. None of that by the way but I realized that I was parading around in my pjs while it was still light and people about. Yikes. Back to the comfort of our garden but nothing from Maxi's side.

In we went and in order not to wake up Bob, all three of us ( Mausi too ) took up the business of slumbering in the lounge. An hour later out of the periphery of my consciousness I noticed Maxi  walking about, sniffing the floor. ( Recently we have had an unfortunate bathroom accident inside that has made me hyper aware of his movements. ) Oh, a quick sprint from me, picking up Maxi, putting on his leash and heading outside. Into darkness at least but again, after ten minutes of hovering up and down the road, not even  a #1 from him. In again. Back to sleep...until.

You guessed it, the boy was walking around the lounge, sniffing and scratching. Mausi was by the way reclining on the couch watching our progress with a languid eye and throwing me looks to convey the ease with which she deals with bathroom issues. The same procedure again, and I swear, Maxi was actually waiting for me to pick him up, take our torch and head outside. Nothing, nada, false alarm.

Suffice to say, it happened one more time until it dawned on me that the little man was hungrily searching for his other half of the raw-hide bone, that which I had hidden away. Serves me right for taking food from hungry dogs. Bob, when I told him our saga only laughed and casually mentioned ( because he knows I wouldn't have ) that I should have woken him up to help... 

Biggi

The Brilliant Positive Energy Of Animals.

We tend to forget how genuine they are.

It stands to reason that the princess is #1 in our lives but this morning I had an encounter with another amusing animal. A dog this time and we all know what mischief, pleasure and fun dogs can be.

Atop the Deutsch Schützen wineberg I heard him before I saw him. The first few barks were more of a ' take care, vicious dog here ' but once he realized that the sound of my feet and rustling of my wintry jacket weren't invented to hound him, his bark turned friendly with nosy enquiry intermingled with his owner's futile attempts to call his hound to heel.

Oh I thought, I haven't seen you before. A new canine to meet and greet. His owner's strictures of following orders went over the top of his two cute and floppy ears as he barreled towards me, feet hardly touching the ground and tongue lagging on the side. The sun glinted off the rhinestones on his collar-devilishly well clad dog indeed- while his owner shouted;

" Don't let him jump up. He'll just make you dirty but he won't hurt you. "

Well, I wasn't in any doubt to this hound's intention. In fact, I encouraged him along, and was rewarded with him enthusiastically bounding into my shins. Cunningly I had grabbed his collar so that he would stay earthbound. But, what a cutie pie. A long haired dachshund with the most mischievous eyes and straggly coat. He was thrilled to bits with my attention and his owner gave in gracefully, knowing that his darling wouldn't take in any of his commands whilst he was getting a cuddle from me.

The whole encounter didn't take more than perhaps three minutes but that was plenty of time for this pups joie de vivre to have rubbed off on me. How marvelous that we have the opportunity to converse with animals and to have their adoration given to us without any expectation apart from a cuddle. Dogs can teach us a thing or two about how to be better persons and to live in the here and now while being happy with our wonderfully ordinary lives.

Biggi

Chasing Paco.

Never a dull moment in paradise.

Mum and I were on our way to clean one of the holiday cottages when a pavement special walzed in front of us albeit clad in a red collar. Somehow that white and grey shaggy fur looked mighty familiar and suddenly it dawned on me. It was Paco the newly adopted dog. Paco whose owner had passed away a few weeks ago and who now had a new dog mom. And obviously, Paco who had run away from home as I couldn't see anyone with him.

Before mum had even stopped the car I got out to try and entice this dog to come to me. As if. The closer I got the faster he bolted. I tried clapping thinking he might be a bit hard of hearing because of his age, but not so as he did turn his head to give me a stare but then carried on.

Throughout our clean I popped out every few minutes in case he was close enough to grab his collar. Once he got close but even mum's calm calls couldn't entice him. Nothing we could do but hope and pray that he would find his way home on his own. Unfortunately I didn't have his new owners number. Eventually mum dropped me off at home again after we'd finished cleaning and drove off.

Not even ten minutes had passed when the phone rang. Mum, telling me that she had spotted Paco in lower Deutsch Schützen cruising the alleys. Nothing for it. I had to drive there to try and get him to come with me. Mum wisely told me to fetch his new owner first to help catch him. Which I did.

As I drove up to her house she was already walking up and down outside her gate. Hoping he would return on his own after his cunning escape through an inch of left open gate. So, off we drove towards the village when half way along she mentioned that he made a habit of taking off on his own to meander around the country side. He usually showed up again but even so I could see that she was a little bit worried. Naturally we didn't catch sight of him during our slow drive about and he wasn't home either.

Thankfully she calmed my fears of his having to wander about all night, frightened and alone, by telling me that his old owner used to leave his gate open especially for those walk-a-bouts of Paco and more importantly, that he always came back home. Yeah, thank goodness because I had visions of Bob and I doing a long and thorough dog search...

Biggi

A Fabulous Day Of Dogs And Cats.

Wonderful animals.

Early this morning as I was walking amid thick fog and about to turn the corner, I heard a series of delighted barks and a voice yelling:

" Johnny, Stop! "

which of course was useless as he had espied me and was galloping toward me as fast as his rheumatic legs would move. I hadn't seen him for a month at least but he bounded at me with such joy that it melted my heart. Once he careered into my legs he couldn't stop yapping his life's story at me whilst twisting and turning excitedly. Dogs, they can melt your heart in an instance. He and his owner joined me for part of my walk and if only you could have seen Johnny's face when they turned around sans me! Precious.

Not long after, when I had driven through to St. Kathrein to organize medicine, well fetch it from the doctor's, I stumbled onto my next encounter. The family I was going to had had a litter of five kittens a few months ago and as I was walking up to their front door, several of these little fellas were reclining lazily on the grass in front of it. As I got closer, all except one scattered. Oh, what a cute kitten. He clearly was the runt of his litter but had received all of the charm and character instead. Stroking him for a minute or so was like therapy. He was purring and I had reverted to baby-kitten language. How could I not...

As I was standing in the queue waiting to collect medication, I noticed a proper slightly dusty Land Rover complete with hunting dog on the back seat pulling into an empty parking space across from the doctors'. That took my mind on a trajectory instantly...how great would it be to go driving about with our dog hanging his head out the window?

Clearly today's been a day of animals and it reminded me of what unconditional love really is. Animals, angels on earth...

Biggi

An Adoring Fan.

Happily laying at my feet.

They say dogs are some of the best judges of character and I am happy to say that today I've been vetted quite a few times. It began as I set off for my walk and ran across the most delightful puppy being taken for a walk. The minute it saw me, it pulled with all its little might to come and sniff me out.

Waiting until I got the owner's okay, I went ahead and cuddled, stroked and coochy-cooed like mad because this little pup was just so cute. Not so little in size considering it is ten weeks old and almost three times the size of our cat. Well, seconds after having jumped up at me, it lay down at my feet, belly up, gazing adorably into my eyes. Of course I am under no illusion that I might be the only one...but I was heard to murmur that I would gladly take it home.

Feng Shui is right. It says that what happens first thing in the day, will perpetuate all day. Not much further along my walk, I ran across the next dog and its owner. A little cuddle, a little chat and off I went on my merry way with only a few chickens and chicks coming my way for the rest of the walk.

Mid morning saw me visiting a lady who keeps another set of dogs and you guessed it, yours truly had the time of her life playing with both of her dogs. As much as I love our cat, dogs are special in a different way. Their eyes say it all and when they give you their undying attention and loyalty, even going so far as fetching a most revered and favoured toy to drop it at your feet, the heart melts within seconds.

The ultimate in my canine fan club is of course dear Johnny, a lovely Labrador. Now and again I join his owner and him for a walk but often months go by without meeting up. Yesterday as I turned the last corner toward Eisenberg I heard my name called out in the distance. I stopped, turned and saw a waving arm and an excited dog running toward me. Johnny is getting on in years but he nonetheless ran like a youngster, back feet overtaking front feet and it didn't take him long to barrel into me and yap away like mad, telling me all the in's and out's of his life...

Biggi

A Docile Family Dog Turns Adventurous To Outsmart A Cute Little Opponent !

Man's best friend turns into a cave dweller to avoid those surprise attacks...

Through time, dogs have run the gambit of dangerous encounters. Most of them are outside of their homes yet, there is one danger that is jolly difficult for them to circumvent!

The Toddler

affects sweet and docile dogs the most. Naturally, a ferocious and dangerous dog does live in his own wing of the home...the garage!

It was too cute to witness this toddler-dog relationship firsthand. Toddlers by definition are cute as buttons yet also mischievous. Oh, and I nearly forgot, they seem to have turbo charged feet. Little Supermen in training.

What do almost teenagers love most, late on a Friday afternoon? Well, studying for an English test with me, is far off the radar, but alas, life is tough! Anyway, the younger sibling is a boisterous and oh so cute toddler and from sheer experience, the older brother knew better than to leave the door open.

At one point, he went to get me a glass of water and the minute he was gone, Flash Toddler rushed in as fast as his little legs could carry him. Oh, clearly he had done this before because he straight away ran to the furthest corner of the room and dived for the optimum hiding position behind an over sized cushion on the floor. Bummer, that I was happy to testify as a witness...

Seeing a big brother gently yet with determination, haul a giggling toddler over his shoulder to carry him out, was priceless. Personally, I think that the toddler enjoyed the capture as much as the chase...

Anyway, while we were differentiating between adverbs and adjectives ( Gosh, English does have its moments ) a faint scratch was heard at the door, followed by a low pleading bark.

On opening the door quickly and shutting it even quicker, the family dog was admitted and he raced with great gusto to seek his refuge on the bed. A bed where he could dream in safety from little toddler hands that tend to pull and push with no care in the world when least expected.

The word had spread, because a few moments later, a scratch at the door was followed by a faint miaowing. The next one to avoid a toddler's reach! The moment both of them realized that the door was closed to little intruders, they made the most of it and relaxed to their hearts content.

At one point I looked around and it was so funny to see the dog and the cat dozing on the bed, rather smug and content in the safety of a closed door...

Biggi