Greta – Page 13 – The Dackel Princess

Kids, Dogs and Love

One of our little neighborhood girls came by. Our house is now the place where the kids come. They play with the dogs, help me with cooking or the gardening, but most of all, I think they come to talk.

Today Jacqui came by. She was feeling angry at her Mom for restricting her on playing on the trampoline before it was properly set up. I listened intently to all she said before I offered my words of wisdom. (Or what seems like wisdom to a 10 year old.)

I explained how much her mother loves her and would not want her to fall and break a leg or arm or worse yet to be killed. I told her how mothers always try to do their best to protect their kids.

She looked up at Katie’s picture and I explained that sometimes you can’t even do that, but at least Katie and I had spoken only words of love before the accident.

She was calmer when she left and I hope tonight when she kisses her mother goodnight there will be some real affection and understanding between them.

Meanwhile, the pups just get to be more and more fun. Arnie is nearly as big as Greta, while Anneliese remains petite. It is so hard to believe that they weighed the same at birth!

Hubby took this great picture of the three dachsies this morning while they watched the early morning activities on the lake.

Arnie, Anneliese and Greta

Yes, between the love from our dogs and for them as well, and the children of our neighborhood who seem to find their way to our home, and the love that exists between us, life is good.

Paint, Dirt and A Little Nap

Today I finished the painting, ironed and put the curtains up in that room.

I also, weeded the garden (or more precisely we cultivated the garden, but that’s about the same thing) and I worked out with both puppies so that they start to learn to walk in a circle for their presentation to the German judge in the fall. I came in, feeling exhausted and dehydrated and sat down to an iced coffee. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Then I glanced over and saw this:

Now, doesn’t she look comfy?

Do Dogs Get Cramps?

I wonder. Do dogs get cramps when they have their periods? Greta sure looks like she is having them, doesn’t she?

I was making the bed this morning and I noticed a couple of tiny blood drops on the comforter. I hadn’t really expected her to go into heat just yet. But 6 months from the day of her delivery here we are.

She’s got her little fashion panties on and now she is just laying around doing nothing but chewing on her rawhide bone. I’m convinced she is feeling under the whether.

Anneliese seems to understand her mother’s pain, as she has been snuggling up to her all day. Isn’t it nice to have a sympathetic daughter?

Yep, I’m convinced. Dogs definitely get cramps!

Dackel Princess News

It’s a big day here in Dackel Princess Land. Today two packages arrive from Germany. The first contained all the Pedigrees for Greta’s litter of puppies. Now I can mail these to the new owners of the pups.

Long ago the AKC Pedigrees came, and I was a bit worried that the DTK pedigrees wouldn’t arrive in time for the German Dog Show, however, they did, so now I know I can show the dogs in September at the yearly Zuchtschau.

The other package almost means more to me. It is the German book of dogs, litters, breeders and kennels that the DTK publishes each year. My name is in there, along with the Dackel Princess name. When I think of how proud my Papa would be, it makes me get very emotional. Papa loved America very much, but he held onto his German heritage all of his life. I think he would be happy.

The next item of news isn’t quite as wonderful. My eye exam didn’t go quite as I had hoped. I will be seeing my Retinal Surgeon up here in New Hampshire. I have a little problem with the Vitreous Gel in my eye and this means I need to see him, pronto. You see once you have had a Retinal Detachment, the odds of it happening in your other eye actually does go up. I was able to make an appointment for Monday at 4 PM.

Hubby came in from working outside feeling under the weather. I’ve put him to bed and will try some chicken noodle soup on him in a while.

Fritz, Greta, Arnie and Anneliese are all fine. At the rate we are going, we had better get those Wills changed so that we leave it all in trust for the doggies! LOL!

Happy Friday to all and have a great weekend!

A Family Tree

I was sitting in my chair today when I glanced over and saw this.

Ah yes, a boy and his mother.

It’s sort of funny. Arnie is up to 16 pounds while his little sister, Anneliese remains at 13. I think he will be a big boy like his grandmother Erika.

Erika.

While Anneliese will be smaller liker her Mom and Grandfather, Meyer.

Greta above and Meyer below.

We were lucky to be able to visit the Vom Geestmoor Kennels in Rehden, Germany. We spent an afternoon with Herr Hollmann and his wife and their two daughters. I was able to see his Kennel set up, discuss with them their breeding program, and celebrate Hubby’s birthday and also Frau Hollmann’s.

The moment Greta was placed in my arms.

Meeting Greta.

It’s so amazing when these little creatures come into our lives. They bring with them their own personalities and likes and dislikes. A lick from them can change a bad day into good, and a sleeping puppy in your lap can cure the worst problem.

Yes, our animals make our lives complete in so many ways.

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive” ~Gilda Radner~

For the Vertically Challened…

Ever thought of what you would do it you had three inch legs? My three dachshunds will tell you that there are times that life can be quite a challenge. For instance, getting into a people sized bed, or perhaps a higher chair, can seem almost impossible to the “little ones”. It’s why I have now become a full convert to “doggie steps”.

These wonderful little things are the new addition to our home. We had one set when Greta was expecting the puppies (those of you who were around will recall that she did not want to use them!) but it wasn’t until we allowed Arnie and Anneliese to be free in the house that we realized that we needed a couple more sets. They love them and they use them!

I saw an ad for 2 sets, for the price of 1 set. I excitedly ordered them thinking they would arrive in a few weeks. Six weeks later they arrived.

Hubby spent a few minutes putting them together and then we set them in the family room and the bedroom, and showed the pups their new stairway heaven! (Or to human contact!) It’s amazing how something so little can mean so much to the vertically challenged!!!

Getting There

This morning I had appointments with two different doctors, whose offices are 10 miles apart. The first appointment was for 10:15 the second was for 11:45. I was not at all stressed because I believed that I would have plenty of time to drive the lovely country roads of New Hampshire from point A to point B.

I arrived at Doctor #1’s building right on time. The first problem I noted was that the elevator was broken, and his office is on the 5th floor! I climbed the stairs, huffing and puffing, but made it to his office before hyperventilating! I collapsed in a chair and sat waiting. Finally 15 minutes after my appointment he called my name. The appointment went smoothly, except I kept worrying that I would be late for the next appointment, so I had a lot of trouble thinking (not one of my strong points). I am so glad that I’d written all my questions down in advance

When the appointment was over, I raced down the stairs. The fact that I had 20 minutes to get down the stairs, get to my car, and drive the 10 miles to the other office seemed to light a fire under me. You see, there is also construction on the one road that goes between point A and point B!

I drove faster than usual (I am a granny driver) and made it to Doctor #2’s office, arriving right on time! I checked in and sat down. I waited and waited and waited. Doctor #2 was a half an hour late.

Somehow I could forgive him. You see, he is leaving his practice to work as an Emergency Room doctor, so he can spend more time with his children and wife. He’s been a wonderful general practitioner for us and we have enjoyed him not just as a doctor, but as a friend. We talked a lot about his life, his wife and kids, and what is truly valuable in life in general. When I left him we hugged and I told him that, should he ever start his own practice, I would be his first patient. Both Hubby and I really admire this young doctor.

When I got home Greta was waiting for me in the driveway. I walked up the steps and saw Hubby working on weeding the lawn. Fritz was playing with a ball, and then I saw two little puppies by the stone wall. I put my hands over my head and yelled, “Arnie, Arnie!!” And he came running full speed toward me. Then I called to Anneliese and she also came running! What a greeting.

Hubby and I worked turning the soil in the garden this afternoon and got about half way through. Besides growing fruit and vegetables here in New Hampshire, we grow a lot of rocks! More seem to surface every year. I hope to get the rest of the garden turned tomorrow and then do the corn planting this weekend. The vegetables will be transplanted on the last day of May.

The sun was shining all day, not a drop of rain. All is right in my world!

The Family Dackel

On Saturday I found I was running a temperature. Nothing too high, just enough to make me have chills and retreat under my blanket with my sunglasses on. I found a little nurse who simply would not leave my side, and seemed to enjoy sleeping curled up next to me under the blanket. Yes, Anneliese is really a little snuggler. A great love and a super kisser!

Arnie and Anneliese

Arnie is developing into the neighborhood watchdog. He loves to sit in the front window and watch the people walking by below, the boats on the lake or the cars driving by. He is also fascinated with the recently returned ducks and is always so excited when Fritz walks by the window. Occasionally he gets up into the chair to check me out, but he sees that Anneliese is doing a great job, so off he goes.

Arnie and Anneliese

Greta loves her independence. She will go out with Hubby and Fritz when they are in the yard planting trees or watering the new ones, she also loves to go up the hill and sit under the peach tree and watch the house. She is still the only doggy we have in bed with us, but once the pups are house broken I’m afraid we will be a three dog bed. For now, nighttime is Greta’s time for snuggles and cuddles and attention.

Arnie, Anneliese and Greta

Fritz, follows Hubby all around. Inside or outside, up the hill, down the hill, it doesn’t matter. He is his Daddy’s boy and faithful beyond words. I think in my minds eye, when I think of Hubby I will always think of him with a White German Shepherd by his side. Fritz is Hubby’s 6th White German Shepherd. His third with me. As much as I have an affinity for my wire-haired dachshunds, he has the same with the White Shepherds.

I hope that this fever burns itself out soon, in the meantime, I’ll stay warm, drinks a lot of herbal tea and snuggle with my puppies!

21 Weeks

Our puppies are growing so quickly. Twenty-one weeks old today! Arnie at 14 3/4 pounds, is growing faster than 11 3/4 pound Anneliese, but she is more mature than her bigger brother. Greta is a bit jealous of all the attention that the puppies are getting and so I have spent a lot of extra time with her showing her love and affection.

Greta’s photo courtesy of my cousin, Janet

I am noticing that their little noses are getting longer and they look more and more like grown up dachshunds. Anneliese really takes after Greta, and I think Arnie resembles his Dad. One thing is for sure, they are best friends.

Fritz works very hard staying on everyone’s good side. He is a good boy. Tonight when I was taking a hot bath he came in and lay down on the bath rug next to the tub and kept me company.

In so many ways, he is so wonderful that it makes me wonder why, he is such a monster when we try to take him in the car. This is the first dog that we have had with “car anxiety”.

I finished all the cleaning, laundry and packed my suitcase for the surgery. I spent most of the day doing this, but as I went about the house I couldn’t have thought of a better place to come back to after my right eye is fixed.

Just think. Hubby, Fritz, Greta, Arnie and Anneliese will be waiting for me and I will be able to enjoy the beauty of spring in Central New Hampshire.

20 Weeks!

Can you believe the pups are 20 weeks old? I was watching them today, as they frolicked and played and I realized how grown up they’ve gotten. Arnie is 14 1/2 pounds now and Anneliese is 11 1/2 pounds. Anneliese is 99.9% house broken now, and Arnie is 75%. Yes, he is a little slow, but we still love him. He is 100% paper trained, so even if I don’t get him outside for the big event, he will run into the puppy room and use the papers. Not perfect, but it has saved me a lot of time cleaning my carpets with the big green clean machine.

They’re both sweet little sleepers too. They love to cuddle
(Arnie)

or stretch out in the sunshine
(Anneliese)

and just be close.
(Arnie (blue) Anneliese (red))

They cuddle with each other still and I wonder if this closeness they share will be life long? They both adore their Uncle Fritz.

Greta still watches over them, but in many ways she keeps her distance too. Although today she played a wicked chasing game with the puppies until I thought they might tear up the rug! But it was so much fun to watch

Five months old. Wow! This is going so fast!

(Anneliese)