Thoughts

This weekend has been a quiet one. I think we all need those once in a while. Granted, yesterday was busy with all the cooking, but today I have just put my feet up and allowed the leftovers to feed us at mealtimes.

I’ve been thinking about where we were a year ago. We still had all the puppies, and all the fun that goes along with that. Hubby was still skiing a lot, although I had wrenched my knee and was down and out for the season.

I look back and then I look at today and the puppies are fully grown.

arnie and anneliese

Arnie now has a rating and as of March 10th if a cute little wire-haired dachshund female comes a calling for him, he is eligible for stud service.

Anneliese is improving with her shyness and she is just the sweetest little love ever. I’m glad she decided that she was staying. It’s funny when a dog picks you out like that! She’ll go to the dog show in September and we will see how she is rated. I think she will do well, if we can just get her over her shyness with strangers. If only the Judge were a child I’d be all set! LOL

Greta. Ah yes. A year ago she was still in charge of her brood. Now she treats Arnie and Anneliese like part of her pack, but not like her babies. Someday, Greta will go into heat again and I will stop obsessing about my dogs menstrual cycle!

Fritz, who was deathly afraid of the puppies a year ago, and wouldn’t even look at them, now plays with both the puppies and even lets Anneliese kiss his teeth. She just loves her “Uncle Fritz” and showers him with affection.

A year ago we had some snow, but nothing like the 4 feet of the white stuff that currently fills my back yard! This year driving around New Hampshire means going down roads that are like toboggan runs, with high snow banks on both sides.

Tonight the Oscar Awards will be on and I plan to plant myself in my chair and watch it all. Or almost…I usually can’t make it until midnight!

Could this be the year that they actually finish the Oscar broadcast on time?

Thursday Thirteen #60

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Thirteen Things About Our Crazy 4 Dogs

1. You are never alone. LOL!

2. If you sit down to relax, they know this and will immediately run to the door, barking and demanding to go out!

3. Arnie has the cutest way to let us know he has to go out. He does this little tap dance on our wooden floors and goes back and forth between the family room and the kitchen letting you know he has to “go”!

4. Anneliese understands her Mum, Greta is the boss, but she has wormed her way into some of Greta’s favorite places. Like my lap in the evening, or on the back of the sofa.

5. The dogs ALL KNOW when it is 5 pm and time for their dinner. All of them will sit in front of me looking at me as if to say, “Come on Mum, we’re hungry!”

6. None of the dogs like to go out in the rain. Usually I have to bring them out (yep I get wet too) and “make them” do their business.

7. Fritz really does love to ride in the car, but he has no manners and it drives me crazy. I usually will leave him home.

8. The dachshunds are all good little car riders and LOVE to go.

9. Anneliese, who is a little Princess in the house, quite bossy, really, is shy as can be when out in the world. So I have started to take her on “field trips”! She has several special friends around town now.

10. Greta is truly what one calls an Alpha Female. She bosses all the other dogs around, but is sweet as can be with Hubby and me.

11. Fritz knows when it is 9:30 pm, his preferred bedtime. He will come and stand in front of me until I tell him to go to bed and if I do not follow him along, he will come back out and repeat the process.

12. Once in the bedroom, he wants me to turn on the TV. I think he likes going to sleep watching “Two and a Half Men” or whatever rerun is on.

13. It’s a lot of work, but these four all make our life a more interesting and better one just by being in it!



Reflections

A year ago I was consumed with the puppies, and so was Greta. You can go back here to reminisce about those little puppy days.

Now Arnie and Anneliese are fully grown and quite wonderful. Hubby and I sit here in the evenings and marvel at their different personalities and how loving they both are.

Having 4 dogs is not for the faint of heart. There are days I feel like I never get to sit down because I am bringing one or the other outside, and Lord knows my family room has more dog toys covering the carpet than many homes with human children. However, these furry creatures give to us love, loyalty and a warmth to our soul.

I had never considered keeping Arnie, and yet I cannot imagine life without his sweet face and easy going personality.

Anneliese and Arnie

Anneliese is all that I had hoped for during those long months after Shubi passed away. She is quieter, sweeter and seems attuned to the people around her.

Yes, we are blessed with 4, wonderful dogs!

Snow, Decorating & Dogs

It snowed today. It snowed a lot. The last time we actually measured there was 9 inches out there, but I am thinking that there are probably 12 inches now.

I’ve been out several times with the puppies. They love to run and run and run in it. Arnie gets little snowballs all over his body. Anneliese just gets covered with the snow,

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as does Greta. I am not sure why Arnie gets the snowballs all over him,

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but I suspect it has something to do with his fur being slightly longer and softer than Greta’s and Anneliese’s.

Fritz…well it’s like watching a deer leaping. Quite beautiful. He has such grace when running through the deep snow. Here he is flying in the air, while Hubby and the dachshunds watch him.

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I did my usual first snow meditation. I went out early and stood in the falling snow and listened to the quiet. There is something so soul cleansing about that.

Then I came in, had my coffee, and once Emily and Jacqui arrived, worked decorating our home for the holidays. Nothing too wild. It’s simple, pretty momentos that have either been given to us, or we’ve gotten during our travels. This is my favorite. My daughter, Mandy gave it to me last year.

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It’s lighted and the two ice dancers are twirling around. It’s really beautiful. You can also turn on Christmas carols, but mostly I just sit and enjoy the pretty ice skaters.

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This is a door hanging we got about 18 years ago on a trip to Guatemala. I love this and it always makes it up in our home. I also have a small ceramic Christmas tree that my sister made and gave me years ago. I love that too!

So the evening is quiet and we are all tired. Hubby from snow-blowing the 500 foot driveway, the dogs from frolicking in the snow, and me from the snow, the decorating and cooking.

All in all, a good day!

All Is Well

Something lovely has happened since we have been back. Our dogs are so happy to see us that they have all become little snuggle bugs!

In the evenings the three dachshunds manage to all get into my recliner and cuddle up. Usually Anneliese is on my legs, Greta next to me on the left and Arnie by my feet on the elevated foot rest. Oh yes, there is the love!

Fritz is even being pretty cute. He will come sit by my chair in the morning before Hubby wakes up, and in the evening he will lie at Hubby’s feet, showing his Daddy that he is happy to see him back where he belongs.

Today my stomach was feeling a bit yucky (I’ve never been able to go to Mexico without leaving with stomach problems!), and the three dachshunds followed me back to bed. At first all was well and quiet and I was being cuddled. Then Arnie started playing with Anneliese who jumped on him and he jumped back on her and suddenly the bed was rocking. Then Fritz came in and jumped up on the bed and finally I got up and put them all out of the bedroom. Then I slept until noon.

Now the day is nearly done and I’m sitting in my chair with my three dachshunds and Hubby has his boy Fritz.

All is well in our dogs’ world!

Lucky In Love

Years ago when I would come home, I would drive into our garage and close the door. Then as I gathered my things I would hear Shubi’s feet pitter pattering on the floor above, as she happily waited for me to come up the stairs. Hearing those paw steps always warmed my heart. When she passed away I missed hearing them.

Today when I came home I pulled into the garage, closed the door and gathered my things. It was then that I heard the sound of a heard of wild elephants, that in actual fact are my four dogs, above my head. They knew I was home and they were all excited at my return.

I smiled. It made me think of my Shubi, and at the same time reminded me of how lucky I am to have this crew of dogs, who love me so much and really are great dogs in their own rite. They wag their tails when we come home, when we wake up in the morning and when we go to sleep at night. They curl up in our laps, in our bed with us and will do anything to just be touching me or Hubby.

That’s Unconditional Love!

Packing & Riding

Today we started getting ready for our trip to Washington, DC. We pulled out the suit cases, decided which clothes to wear, shoes, etc. I finished up the laundry, then went and had my hair stylist tidy up my hair.

I raced home and cooked dinner for Emily and our house sitter, Dori. The two of them will take care of the dogs and stay here while we are gone.

Everything is pretty much set now. All that’s left is to pack the car and actually drive the 10 hours to get there. A lot of people don’t like long car rides, but I actually do. It’s funny. When Hubby and I go on these long road trips we bring all sorts of music to listen to, but in the end, we seem to talk the entire way.

Twenty years together and we still have so much to say to each other. I hope that never ends!

We’re staying at a nice hotel, attending Hubby’s Army Reunion where we laugh, tell funny stories and jokes and see people we enjoy, but only get to see once a year.

Our visit will include a White House tour, a tour of the new Air and Space Museum and just some relaxing down time alone. We’ll be there for 5 days before heading back home.

Of course I am bringing my laptop so I can stay in touch with you all. I’m afraid I fall into the category of the Internet Addicted.

Yep, time to pack and ride!

Labor Day Thoughts

It’s a holiday weekend here in the USA. It’s Labor Day. The official end to the summer. We live in an area that is popular with summer guests. They arrive the last weekend in May, which is Memorial Day and seem to flood our streets, stores and parks until Labor Day.

I grew up on Cape Cod, with it’s narrow streets and back roads, but truly lovely beaches. People come by the thousands to enjoy their time on “the Cape”. Those of us that lived there year round, always looked forward to the end of summer when life would return to normal, and now here I am in New Hampshire, faced with the same tourist problems.

I used to get all upset about it, but then I realized that I was really the lucky one. I get to live here year round! The tourists only see it in the summer. To live here and witness the autumn, the winter and the spring is fantastic!

So today when Hubby and I went out to get a few things at the store and we were stuck in traffic and then had to wait in long lines I just smiled, feeling happier than I have in a while.

I’m living with the man of my dreams, in the most beautiful part of New Hampshire and we not only have our home, but 4 pretty nice dogs to keep us company.

It doesn’t get any better than this!

The Big Bad Lab!

After what seemed like a perfect day, a walk in the park with all four dogs, a delicious lunch and a visit to one of my favorite shops, we came home to cook out and enjoy a little bit of summer heaven. Baby back ribs, potato salad and zucchini and summer squash.

The temperature was perfect and although there were a few clouds, it still felt great to be outside with the dogs.

Then Hubby went in to get a few things and I was outside with Emily and the next thing we knew a big mean yellow Lab was charging my crew of dogs! He went for the puppies first and that made Greta leap toward him to protect her babies.

The dog jumped at Greta and bit at her (but did not break the skin) and that’s when Fritz jumped in! I was running toward the madness, screaming at the top of my lungs to get the bad dog to stop!

Hubby didn’t hear me, but people from several surrounding towns did! All I could see was that three of my dackel babies were going to be hurt.

Lucky I sound as mean as I look, and the dog eventually was chased off, but it took me several hours to calm my babies down.

Me? I’m still shook up!