Greta

I got up for work on Friday only to find traces of blood on the carpet. Suspecting it was Greta’s, who had been restless the night before, we called the Vet for an appointment.

I had to go to work, so Hubby took her in. It was hard for me to not be there, but work is work.

I was a wreck. I was so worried about what could be wrong. Fortunately, it is a bladder infection and after two weeks of penicillin she should be herself again.

She still isn’t herself, but at least we know what it is, and can get her back on her paws!

Imagine having a painful urinary tract infection and not being able to say so! My poor baby girl!

So now, we tempt her with lots of water and more walks. Seems our couch potato needs a bit more exercise. At least so she empties herself well and can start to get rid of that infection.

In other news, today is my last day working. I will miss feeling like I am being helpful even if I am just answering the phone and sweeping up mounds of hair.

It is freezing here and I felt the cold all day long. My hands are like ice and my toes too! When I got home on Friday I sipped a Brandy, nice and slow.

My little Greta is quite a character. She started this when she was a pup, and has continued to do this. Yes, she picks up her dish and carries it around. Some days we come home and find her with Fritz, Arnie, and Anneliese’s dishes in her bed, along with her own.

Today I decided to get at least a little movie of her doing this. Here is what I found. I tossed her bowl into the kitchen, and she chased it like it was a ball! It was the cutest thing!

I hope you get a kick out of watching this short video, of my Greta…a dachshund/ham!

Greta & Her Dish from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Dackels To The Vets

It’s that time of year when the dogs all go to the Vet’s for their shots. Today was that day. Despite not feeling 100%, I felt it was important to take the dackels in for their heart worm checks, and their shots. Besides, they just LOVE to ride in the car.

At 9:30 I opened the door and asked “Who wants to go for a ride?”

Three little dackels hopped into my car, and off we went. It takes about 20 minutes to get to my Vet’s office. I was sad to hear that she is out right now. She broke her ankle in three places skiing and actually needed surgery to set everything.

So today we got the substitute Vet. Dr. G. was very nice, and it was so funny to see Greta with him! She had a major attack of unbelievable cuteness! I think she had a crush on him!

Anyway, they all checked out well, and their visit didn’t break the bank. I did come right back home though because I am still not feeling my best, but at least I accomplished something today!

A Little Video To Tempt You!

Here is a very short video of the bride and groom dancing their first dance.

The Dance from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things About Abby

Family Party June 26, 2010 082

1. Abby Elizabeth was born in Connecticut on March 25, 2003.

2. Abby’s brother weighed more than she did at birth. He weighed 9 lbs 12 oz.

3. Abby has been playing softball for 4 years.

4. She plays all the different positions in her baseball team

5. Her favorite dinner is spaghetti with tomato sauce and cheese.

6. Her favorite dessert is fudge bars.

7. Her favorite subject in school is science!

8. She has blond hair and bright blue eyes!

9. Abby loves to swim and jump into the pool.

10. She also loves to boogie board.

11. She also loves the computer.

12. She has two cats and a dog and fish as pets.

13. She will be a flower girl on Saturday in her Daddy’s wedding to her new Step Mom!

Cucumbers, Sheets & Showers

I went out to my garden today, and checked to see what was happening. What I found was a long European Cucumber that was ready to be picked. It was interesting to note that this cucumber has spiny needles on it, so one must not pick it without gloves! Also when you bring it in, you need to wash it down with a scrubber that removes the spindly spines, but then when you slice it…total yumminess!!!

Tomorrow I also will pick another summer squash and tomorrow night I expect to be cooking my summer squash saute for Hubby. It is so thrilling when the garden starts to come in. Fresh vegetables every night!

I also have an Ichiban Eggplant ready for picking, and that will be eaten tomorrow as well.

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I gave the dackels a shower today and once they dried, I began to strip out their winter coats. None of them actually LOVE showering, but they tolerate it.

Arnie escaped Hubby’s drying attempts and jumped up on our bed, and rubbed himself in our sheets and blanket. So after I washed three wiggling doggies, I had to strip the bed and wash our sheets and blankets!

The only problem with that is, on a day like this, when the air is a bit heavy, and the mosquitoes are out I tend to spray down with bug spray during the day, and I wouldn’t want to get into a clean bed with that stuff on, so…yes, second shower of the day. At least I didn’t have the dackels with me this time!

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So now it is off to bed for me. What a nice long weekend it has been! How was your weekend?

How We Spent Greta’s Birthday

For Greta’s birthday I made her a meat cake! She was not too thrilled that I held it while we sang, but eventually I blew out the candle and she devoured it!

I didn’t want you to think that she didn’t get anything, or that we gave her something unhealthy. It was the best treat and I’ll be doing this for all the other pups when their birthdays come along.

Hubby built some little steps into our snow bank, which allows the dackels to climb on top of the snow and tend to their needs. They are so adorable when using the steps, and Hubby and I really love watching them.

First he had to teach them to use them.

As you can see, Hubby is quite proud of his work, and the dackels love their own little stairway to their playground heaven!

All three dackels got baths today and so tonight we are surrounded by sweet smelling dogs! Next week when I feel slightly stronger, I will bathe Fritz, but today I just couldn’t handle him.

Lastly, for dinner I prepared zucchini boats that I had made last summer from our home grown zucchini, and then plash frozen. I poured tomato sauce that I made with our own tomatoes and canned and as a nice side dish had our own apple sauce.

It’s on nights like tonight that I know why I love my garden so much!

Happy 7th Birthday Greta

Can you believe it? Greta is now 7 years old! It seems like just yesterday that Hubby and I flew from New York to Berlin to see Auntie Uschi and Uncle Volker, and pick up our little bundle of fur!

Greta was only 8 weeks old when we picked her up and brought her home. It was Hubby’s birthday, so I guess in many ways it’s okay that she is more than partial to her Daddy.

Greta had two wonderful litters of pups, which gave us the fabulous and lovable, Arnie and Anneliese. She was also one of the best Mommy dogs I have ever seen.

Greta was rated twice and both times she was given an excellent rating for her form, coat and gravitas! To me, she has always been perfect!

She’s retired now, and enjoying her life in the household, and we in turn, really enjoy her, too!

So Happy Birthday, Dearest Greta!!!

Happy Birthday Greta! from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Dackel Doctor Days

The Dackels went to the Dackel Doctor today for their yearly shots and physicals. I have been waiting for this as I have been working to reduce the weight of both Anneliese and Greta. They were weighed and examined and the three dackels weighed drastically different weights.

Greta was 23 pounds,

Arnie was 21 pounds

and Anneliese was 18 pounds.

The odd thing is that Arnie really is the biggest of the three, the longest for sure, but he has retained his youthful figure! Greta has already told me that she has had two large litters and her “youthful” days are long behind her! Anneliese is just plain perfect! She really is in great shape!

The Doctor and Office Staff were all amazed at Greta and her children. One woman had never seen a wire-haired dachshund, especially ones with such beautiful wild boar, color coats. So it was fun to show them off.

After the Dackel Doctor visit we came back home to a very lonely Fritz. It was not his day to go to the doctors, and so Fritz was “Home Alone” He seemed none the worse for wear, but boy, was he happy to see us!

Furniture & Dishes

I have to tell you all that my husband is a great guy. Not only was he able to fix my chair, but he actually did it in a very timely fashion.

You see, my chair is one of those wide recliner types of chairs called “snugglers”. I got this chair 10 years ago, when I only had one dackel named Shubi. Despite only having the one little dog, she seemed to enjoy taking up all of my chair, thus when it was time to replace my old recliner, I bought this one.

Flash forward four years and I was watching the Super Bowl and I pulled the handle too hard (I am guessing) and the handle came off in my hand. Well, it is a Lane chair and I called the furniture store where I bought it, and they told me it was under manufacturers warranty. They ordered the part, when it came they called and came over to install it.

Six years pass and a few weeks ago, I pull the handle and once again, it pulled off. Well, the chair is out of warranty as far as installation goes, but they ordered the part, and called us when it came in. Hubby picked it up and after flipping the chair over and feeding the wire and screwing it in, well, the chair is once again fixed!

Feeding the wire.

I would love a new chair. Actually, I would like a new set of furniture, but with 4 dogs, and a poor economy it just doesn’t seem like a practical thing to do. So until I either win the lottery or the economy changes, I’m just stuck with the furniture that I have.

Meanwhile, as we worked, Greta waddled off into the kitchen and returned with her favorite bowl. She is hilarious, and tends to do this often.

Category: Greta