The Dackel Princess

There Is No Nightlife!

I have come to realize that I do not cross time zones easily. Going east to Europe I seemed to do okay, but had the overwhelming feeling of utter exhaustion for several days, but it was nothing a good strong cup of German coffee couldn’t cure.

Anneliese and I did rendezvous with the great out of doors at 2:30 in the morning for several days, but soon she fell into German time and we both slept through the night.

Hot flashes seemed to occur at any time, as my body could not decide where the heck it was in relationship to my menopausal symptoms. I kept a sweater by my side so that I could cover up with a chill or pull it off when I flashed!

Then I came home.

At first I was nearly punchy with lack of sleep. I went 22 hours without sleep that night. I hoped that this would help me get back to East Coast time quickly, alas I was wrong. It just seemed to make it worse.

I would sit here in the evening with my head bobbing, my vision doubling and eventually my eyes closing and my jaw opening to let lose a giant snore.

I tried taking a nap. I thought perhaps this would help. I slept like a baby, but it didn’t help at all. You should have seen me last night, all decked out in my pajamas, snuggled in my blanket with the dackels all around me. I was trying to watch the CBS comedy line up, but really only made it through “The Big Bang Theory” before going into my sleepy trance!

Hubby tried to get me to stay awake and I tried. Really I did. I even sat in this chair with my eyes open, as if I were truly awake. Finally when I noticed the clock read 9:30 I gathered up the dackels and Fritz and off to bed I went.

30 seconds later, I was asleep!

Today I have tried another avenue. I have stayed awake all day, and at 4:00 this afternoon I made myself the strongest cup of coffee and drank the entire thing. So far I am awake, but then it is only 6:45 PM.

I think it will be a little longer until Anneliese and I are back on time. However, I heard today that this is the weekend that we “Spring Forward” with the clocks!

Just what I need! Another time change to conquer!

Three Dog Day

Today I needed to take the three dackels in for their yearly exam. All three did well, I mean, we all knew Anneliese would, and Greta and Arnie were totally fabulous too.

They had their blood tests for heart worm and they were heart worm free, and Greta and Arnie had their shots. Anneliese will have hers after she delivers.

Yes, we are thinking in very positive terms, as far as little dackel babies go. In fact I have an appointment on March 21st to have her examined and her little belly palpitated, to see how many little babes are in there. Then about a week before her due date, we will have an x-ray done to see just how many are inside.

Greta has finally lost the weight she gained from her last litter. She was a reluctant dieter, and I had to prepare meals that would help to cut those calories and lighten her up. In one year she has lost 2 pounds!

Arnie was just perfect all around. He has to be the most loving dog that there is. He was jumping around spreading his kisses to all of the staff. He is a remarkable boy and I am so happy that we kept him!

Of course we will need to sell all of Anneliese’s babies. I’m prepared for that. I think. Maybe. No, I am. I know I am. Although I am sure it will be very hard.

The Weekend

I’m slowly getting caught up on my time zones, although I admit to another afternoon nap on Sunday.

I never have a problem going east when I travel, but returning and going west just wipes me out! Perhaps I am just getting old! LOL!

Anneliese is showing the first signs that tell me that it is very possible she is pregnant. The usual canine heat lasts a full 3 weeks. When a dog successfully mates they begin to have a slowing of the heat a few days early. This is happening with Anneliese.

Since this will be my B litter I must start considering good German names that begin with the letter B. Anyone with a name can put it in the comments and we will announce the winners at a later date.

As far as I can guess the pups will arrive April 24-29th. Or there abouts. Not long at all. It will be fun to watch Anneliese’s little belly get big and full of babies. I remember watching Greta and enjoying every minute of her pregnancy!

My Dad is continuing his slow decline. I think the worst part is that he is suffering. I hate to think about it.

Monday is Veterinarian Day for the Dackels. They all need their shots for the year and I am sure, all will be well.

Have a great week!!!

Home

Hubby picked Anneliese and I up at the airport last night. The flight from JFK to Boston was delayed, so we got in late. I was exhausted! Anneliese was too.

Hubby brought the other three dogs, and although I was concerned about all the craziness in the car affecting Anneliese, it turned out that all was well and it gave all the dogs a chance to get used to each other before we got home.

The flight from Berlin to JFK was fabulous. I had a good seat, a pleasant seatmate and Anneliese was a dream. And surprisingly, the Captain that flew me over also flew me back! Small world, yes?

Today her heat is easing up, and this is a little bit of an indication that perhaps she is pregnant, although we will not know for another month.

It was tough to say good-bye to Uschi.

I will say that the airport staff was so nice to both Anneliese and me. Do you see my green brocade suitcase? It held up just fine thus, I think I will have this K-Mart special a little longer!

However, it is good to be home and to be sleeping in my own bed with my own pillow.

Today was laundry day, but the rest of the day I kicked back and didn’t do too much. I am hoping for a longer night sleep tonight (I was awake at 2:30 this morning), waking and feeling like my old self again!

I hope to be visiting everyone else’s blogs this week. I’ve missed hearing what’s going on with you!

Happy Sunday everyone!

Blessed

Here I am, back home with the man of my dreams. I am blessed.

Leaving On A Jet Plane…

By the time most of you check in and read this, Anneliese and I will be on our way back to the States. We’ve had an incredible time, seen some old and some new places, and met some great people!

Uschi and I have talked until our jaws ached, watched movies, played with dogs and hopefully helped Anneliese become a Mommy.

But now I return home to Hubby and my other three babies. I sure have missed them. When I look back and remember how Hubby brought me here, as a new bride and showed me a city which will always remain special in his heart, I couldn’t help but wander around with my head full of the memories that we made here together.

But now I hug Uschi and Volker and say good-bye, thanking them both for all that they did. And I think how lucky we are to have each other!

All my bags are packed
Im ready to go
Im standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin
Its early morn
The taxis waitin
He’s blowin his horn
Already Im so lonesome
I could dieSo kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Weight Watchers In Germany

As you all know, I have been following the Weight Watcher Plan for over a year. I have lost 54 pounds, and became a Lifetime Member in early January! Part of the benefits of this is that I can go to a meeting free of charge anywhere in the world. Last night I decided to take advantage of this and go to a meeting here in Berlin.

As I have mentioned before, Germany has many more Weight Watcher products in the stores. Every time we have grocery shopped I look to see what items they have. I wish we had the number of soup mixes, fresh meals and deli cold cuts that are available here.

Okay, back to my story about last night. We drove a short distance to a local community center where the meeting was being held. Uschi served as my translator because my German is very poor, and I have found that many people under the age of, say 35 do not speak English too well. I think also, people who do not use their English here forget it or perhaps lose their confidence. In any case, my Uschi was there and translated it all for me.

We walked in and the leader greeted us and it turned out that she and Uschi are well acquainted! Uschi explained that I was a Life Member and that I wanted to come and share a meeting with them. I was warmly greeted and I went through their products (available only at meetings) and bought a few things, including a cook book with many German recipes and their point values.

Then women began filing in and all were seated as the meeting began. Our leader was a kind and gracious woman. She smiled a lot and she answered the questions that the women had. She introduced me as a Life Member from the “Fatherland of Weight Watchers, America”!

I smiled and told them I had lost 54 pounds, and then I passed around my before and after picture, which I had brought with me from home. The meeting lasted for 45 minutes and at the end I asked if it was okay to take a few pictures of their set-up.

I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to go to this meeting and to share the struggle of weight loss with women from another country. You see, it doesn’t matter where you are from in this big world of ours, most women want to be fit and trim and to feel good about themselves.

Today I will be packing up and getting ready to fly home first thing tomorrow. I cannot believe how the time has flown by. It seems as though I have just gotten here. I am also sad because I do not know when I will be back to see Uschi and her family or when she will be able to come to me.

I think I will not wear too much make-up tomorrow, for I know that the tears will fall when we hug for the last time and say good-bye.

Busy Day

Today was spent walking dogs, shopping for a few last minute items (never did find a stuffed dackel toy!) and going over to Sigge and Sybille’s for coffee. It was interesting on all accounts.

First I loved meeting Sigge and Sybille and their daughter Elise, as well as their dog, Carlos. As you can see Carlos knew a dog person when he saw one and he spent a lot of time lying next to me and in my lap! What a sweet boy he is.

Shopping was futile as far as the ever elusive toy dackel went. We visited several shops but did not find one German Shepherd or dackel! What did we find? All things Disney! We did stop for lunch and had an ice cream and that was great!

Wednesday I will attend a local Weight Watchers meeting. I am looking forward to seeing what their meetings are like here. I will say one thing, there are many more Weight Watcher foods in the grocery stores. It is fun and sort of a game I play checking out each grocery store to see what items they carry.

I got word that my father has been admitted back into the hospital. Sadly he is in very poor health and I think perhaps he will not come home after this.

Anneliese would like nothing more than to go back and visit Isagrim! She has been so cute showing me her desire for him. It makes me laugh. I will know in a month if there are little babies in her tummy!

I can hardly wait!

And In The End…

The Love you take is equal to the love you make!

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Monday we drove down to see Herr Isagrim once again. I must tell you that this little love story has been such an amazing thing to watch. Two dogs, from two different countries, who find “true love”!

We arrived just before 11 in the morning and I could tell Anneliese was happy to be back to see her husband. Of course it was a little sad to learn that she is wife #10. Apparently Isagrim has quite a harem of young doggy ladies and many children!

This is Steffi, and she and her parents own Isagrim. She was such a great help and she is also a very nice and kind young woman! Steffi, thank you again for everything you did to make this such an easy experience for Anneliese and me.

Rather quickly we went inside, as it was raining today and just too unpleasant to allow the dogs to have there fun in the meadow. As you can see, isagrim was very ready for his Anneliese!

This time Isagrim and Anneliese really got along well.

Isagrim got very tired at the end.

He was very sweet and Isagrim snuggled with Anneliese for almost half an hour. He kissed her and I couldn’t help but think what a sweet lover he was!

I was there too, watching and helping anyway I could. But to be honest, Isagrim knew just what to do!

Then we put our girl into her warm sweaterand brought her home. She has slept most of the afternoon away.

What an experience for her and for me! I know I will probably do this with her one time, but I have learned so much and really enjoyed every moment!

A Day Of Rest

Sunday found us giving Anneliese a day to rest. I expect we will be driving back down tomorrow for part 2 of her honeymoon!

It is rainy, cold and generally yucky today here in Berlin. Uschi and I took Noah on a long walk around the lakes here, but we left Miss Anneliese at home. Sadly, she would draw too much attention from other perspective and unsuitable male dogs if we took her! We are all a little tired from yesterday’s excitement, so the rest of the day we have been real couch potatoes, sitting around watching movies, and of course talking!

We watched a movie called “That Thing You Do” which was written and directed by Tom Hanks. I don’t remember it being released in the states? Does anyone else?

I think tonight we will all collapse in bed once again to prepare for Anneliese’s trip to see her beloved Isagrim. I cannot tell you how happy I am with this mating. Isagrim is not only beautiful to look at, but he is smart, and very good with his field events.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!