Dackel Princess

Home Again

We arrived home about 4:30 this afternoon. Was I tired after such a long, long ride. Arnie and Anneliese are such great little travelers, and good company too. Sometimes they rode in their crate, but when I felt lonely they came up front with me, Anneliese on the passenger seat and Arnie riding shot-gun on the arm rest. He watched every single thing that happened as I drove along.

My GPS worked out amazing well on this trip and I liked having it. I will, however, bring an Atlas next time, just for reference. I have just related to Hubby that he was correct. I do LOVE maps!

Now a little more about the show. It was good to see the people I have come to know in our club. A few have become dear friends and I look forward to catching up with them each year. The area of Pennsylvania is just beautiful, and I love the Pennsylvania Dutch atmosphere.

The show was held at an in-door riding ring. It was very small this year and when I was up showing Anneliese or Arnie I felt like I was walking in a circle for miles!

I thought several times I might just fall over in a dead faint!

The dogs were examined on the table too, and they were perfect Angels while being examined.

I was really proud of them.

After the show I learned that there is another amendment to the rules for breeding. It doesn’t affect Anneliese, as she is already in the breeding program, but it affects Arnie and I am perplexed. I have so many options right now, that I am not sure what to do.

The drive home was long, but good. Sunny and cool and delightful, and I got home in pretty good time. That is totally wonderful!

Very Good!

Today was a strange day. The dog show went on and I was so proud of the way Arnie and Anneliese handled in the ring. The walked well, and neither one of them presented in a nervous manner. I was so proud!

But I was surprised by the Judge and his comments. No I’m not unhappy, please do not get me wrong, it’s just that things keep changing in what is expected from the pups and I felt a little lost after the event.

The dogs both got “Very Good” scores. So, they are eligible to breed and continue in the club. The field of entrants was quite small this year. I missed seeing the other dogs.

I did have my very own cheering section! Here I am with my friends, Heather, Linda and Lynn! It was so terrific to have them with me!

Ah, it’s late and I am tired. We hit the road in the early morning for home, so I will need to get some sleep.

More Later.

Traveling

The trip down to Pennsylvania took us about 8 hours. It didn’t seem so long because we listened to Julia Child’s “My Life In France” on an audio book.

Oh how my mouth watered and I thought of all the wonderful foods she was describing and I found myself incredibly hungry. But I stayed away from exits with food and all went well.

I ate a lovely Schnitzel for dinner and then we came back to our room and walked the two dogs.

Now I am going to say goodnight as tomorrow we must be up early in order to go and eat and then go to the dog show. I will post results as soon as I can.

We’re On Our Way

With Hubby at home caring for Fritz, Greta and the puppies, I am off to Pennsylvania with Arnie and Anneliese for the German Dog Show. All the primping and preening I’ve been doing should help. Oh yes, and I’ve groomed the dogs too! lol!

We’re going back to the site of last years show, in Reinholds, PA. It’s really lovely there. The show is held at an Equestrian Center in the middle of rolling pastures. It’s such a pleasure to go there.

The Judge this year is a man I have shown under before. He rated Greta three years ago. He is a kind man, who enjoys the dogs and is very fair. I’m happy to be able to show both Arnie and Anneliese to him.

I’ll be posting all weekend from Pennsylvania. Yes a Dackel Princess road trip! Complete with pictures and up to the minute stories of life on the road with two dackels!

Here is Greta when she went to the show three years ago.

And Arnie two years ago.

And Anneliese last year.

Yes, my life has now truly, gone to the dogs!

Coffee & Wagging Tails

I had to cross our beautiful state to go to see a doctor today. It’s a lovely time of year to do this, with the leaves changing and crisp Autumn winds. So, after feeding the pups their breakfast, I headed quickly to Weight Watchers, and then off I drove to Dartmouth. I saw my doctor and then began the trip home.

I felt a little peckish, so I stopped to get a “Hot Light Latte” for my drive back. I waited a few minutes after getting the coffee at the drive through before picking it up to drink. The girl had not placed the lid firmly in place and before I knew it the paper cup seemed to attack me with squirting coffee. It covered my light gray pants, the steering wheel and even the windshield of the car!

I will not tell you the terrible words that slipped passed my lips, let us just say, I was not a happy girl!

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I arrived back home and after throwing my pants into the washing machine, I came upstairs to my babies. Curt heard my voice, as I greeted the other dogs, and he started to fuss and whine. I went into the puppy room and there he was, waiting for me with bright eyes and a wagging tail!

I went in and one by one, I picked up the babies and held them. Here is Schnapps!

Fenway.

Wally.

And Calvin.

They are doing so well. Calvin, Curt and Schnapps are all over three pounds, with Fenway and Wally close behind.

They eat twice a day a gruel mixture, and by next week I will be starting to mix up puppy chow and make it soggy for them, to learn to eat.

Happy Birthday, Uschi!!!

Eight and a half years ago, two women met online. We met because we loved our doggies and wanted to communicate with other people who enjoyed their dogs as well. We wrote back and forth, sharing our lives, began instant messaging through yahoo, and before we knew it, we realized that we were not only friends, but sisters separated by an ocean!

Over the last eight and a half years we have shared good times and bad, but no matter what, we have been there for each other. We’ve been lucky enough to spend time together in person as well.

How grateful I am that this wonderful woman and I found each other!

So, my dear sister, Happy Birthday, and may you have a very special day today and a happy and healthy year ahead!!!

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They’re Growing!

Today I mixed puppy food for the babies and set it down for them to eat. I’d given them a little yesterday, and they all seemed to like it, and this morning I gave it to them again. They really do love it. The funny thing is, that at 4 weeks of age, absolutely none of the puppies had trouble figuring out what to do to get the food into their mouths.

The last litter of puppies all had to be taught and it was a long process. None of them really did like it, but eventually they learned to eat it and go on to normal puppy food.

But these pups know what they are here to do, and that is eat!

I really enjoy watching them, but then after dinner tonight, as I sat watching them eat, it hit me. They are growing up. They are getting to be proper little dogs and before I know it they will be weaned from Greta and almost ready to start their new lives. The time is flying by!

So here is a little video of the crew eating their food this morning!

New Homes

On Sunday Abby came to meet her new puppy, Christel, who will now be called “Schnapps”. Peppermint Schnapps! Seems to go quite nicely with her peppermint pink collar! The two met and eyed each other.

Before bonding the way new family members do. Schnapps began licking Abby’s nose and then trying to nurse on her chin. In the end I felt that the match was a perfect one!

After their visit, I told Hubby that it was time to put together the puppies new bed. They were really outgrowing the little paddling pool, and I wanted them to have some room to run around before setting them lose in the puppy room.

I’d gone to the local furniture store last week and gotten a recliner box. Now instead of just cutting down the top and having this small square box, I took off one side, taped the ends on and now I have a box that is nearly the size of our refrigerator!

At first the puppies were a little afraid, but now they are enjoying having more room. I know Greta is. She can stretch out and feed all of the puppies at once.

Then she can keep an eye on them as they play around the box. I am trying to also teach them to wee-wee on the newspapers and sleep on the soft blanket on the other end. So far we are making pretty good progress!

I also worked grooming Arnie and Anneliese. I still need to get Arnie’s front paws done, but they are both looking very beautiful for the dog show next week.

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See How They Grow

I spent part of the afternoon taking pictures. Now I wish I was as good a photographer as my sister and cousin

Janet, alas they got the talent! I just have the desire to at least try.

So I sat on the floor in the puppy room and snapped picture after picture of my little darlings. (75 I think!), coming up with a few that I liked. They are getting so grown up now and tomorrow I will be making up their cardboard box. I have this wonderful idea of how to cut the top and sides to make a nice roomy box. Once I get done, I will take a few pictures, I promise.

For now, I have these little guys trying to climb out of the box, and the nicest thing about that? Well, they are doing it in an attempt to get to Makenna and me.

Here is Caspar, who we found out yesterday, will be nicknamed “Fenway”.

Here is Curt. He is a real sweetie.

Here is Christel, “Schnapps” biting Curt! Several of the pups have just cut teeth.

Calvin trying to climb out of the box and get to Makenna.

Here is the best shot yet of Claus, “Wally”!

Here are the boys watching Makenna!

So what do you all think of my babies? Aren’t they just the cutest?

4 Weeks Old!!!

Friday was a busy day. We have now entered the time when Greta can no longer keep up with the bodily functions of the puppies all by herself. This means that I am changing the box fairly frequently, and the puppy laundry begins to be a challenge.

The puppies are growing and they are all at least 2 1/2 pounds now, with Calvin tipping the scales at 2 pounds 12 ounces! He is one big boy! They all do have personalities all their very own, too.

Here is our little Miss. She has been adopted by Abigail, and her new forever name will be “Schnapps”!

Here is Caspar. He is a roly-poly, cuddly little guy. A really happy guy!

The pups are all still being taken care of by their Mom. Greta is truly a fabulous mommy to these babies. I think she is even better this time than she was the last. Perhaps it is because she is a seasoned mother now. She doesn’t leave them for too long, despite the fact that they are 4 weeks old today! She does come out and visit with us, but then goes back, lest one or the other of the puppies want to have some milk.

Can you believe that 4 weeks have passed? I can’t. I just know that this litter’s time with us will fly by and very soon they will be on their way to their new forever homes!