Author: Dackel Princess

The Puppy Playpen

Since the days have been sunny and warm I have arranged a playpen for the two puppies. This works out so well when I am busy and can’t keep my eyes on them. I just leave the door open and they can run in and out and have a good time.

Today hey spent a lot of the day just sleeping. I am thinking that they are going through another growth spurt. I weighed Arnie and he is just a fraction under 14 pounds. Anneliese is exactly 11 pounds. She is such a little squirt, but she has a mighty spirit! You should see her play out back with Arnie! She can literally roll him down the hill!

I’m having a good time with these two. They really brighten up my day. I really love watching them play with each other, as well as Greta and Fritz. And I just love, love, love the way they both cuddle up with me.

Chocolate & Wine = Heaven

Lately it seems that the movie channels have been replaying the same movies over and over again. And since regular TV has started it’s rerun season somewhat early, this means I am watching the same “chick flicks” over and over again.

Now for the most part, I don’t mind. I have found that there are certain movies that are like old friends. You know, “Father of The Bride” (Steve Martin edition), “As Good As It Gets”, “Legally Blond” and “Somethings Gotta Give”.

But I recently have added a few new ones to the list. “The Lake House” with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, “What Dreams May Come” with Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding, and “The Parent Trap” (Lindsey Lohan edition).

I like these movies for various reasons. Some I like because they are funny, light and familiar. Others, like the Robin Williams movie “What Dreams…” because it reminds me of what I hope is true.

There is a line in that film where the daughter asks where her dog will go when she dies. The mother replies, “Where we all go, Heaven”.

I like the idea that my dogs will all follow me to my little slice of Heaven (that is, should I get there). Can’t you just see me in a large field with all my doggies around me?

I can. I can see me with the laughter and the smiles and the wet face from all the kisses they will shower me with, and the tears I will shed after I am reunited with them.

I’ve also decided what I would like my little slice of Heaven to look like.

It will have a field on the side of a mountain with wild flowers and lovely shade trees. It will overlook a large ocean that will go on for as far as the eyes can see. I’ll have a large Indian blanket to sit on (no ticks or bug will be allowed in my slice of Heaven) and I will have the best picnic one can imagine with all my favorite foods (especially dark chocolate). I will sip Tokaj (A fine Hungarian wine), and the sun will shine warmly on my face, and it will feel really good.

All the people I love will be there, and all my animals as well. Life beyond will be even better than anyone could ever imagine.

I like movies about love, whether they make me laugh or they make me cry.

Love is what it’s all about, right?

Could It Be Spring?

We had ice out on our little lake here today. It’s always an amazing thing to witness. One day the ice turns very dark, almost black then slowly you begin to see small ripples of water, and before you know it the ice is just gone. For me, “ice out”, means the real beginning of spring. It seems after that, no matter if we have a cold snap, spring is here!

I have gotten my potting soil, and my seeds so I can begin my seedlings for the garden. I’m doing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, eggplant, corn, tomatoes, butternut squash, summer squash and zucchini. My cousin Janet thinks I should also plant peas. I probably will. But we shall see.

The temperatures climbed into the upper 70’s today and they say we may actually reach 80 degrees tomorrow. Is it time to put the air conditioners into the windows for the summer? I’m thinking pretty hard about that. I really don’t like to feel suffocated by the heat.

I think there is simply no pleasing us New Englanders. We complain when it is cold and snowy and then when it is hot and steamy. Oh well, summertime, bring it on!!!

Wonderful Day

This was such a great day! We had 70 degree weather with bright blue skies and almost no wind. The lakes are slowly melting and soon will be completely open. Arnie is doing so much better with his potty training and Hubby spent part of the day planting new fruit trees, while my cousin Janet came up and went to a Craft Fair with me.

Janet and I had a girls day. I left Hubby in charge of the puppies, and I spent time at the Fair, TJ Maxx and had lunch. It was so relaxing for me, and although I only bought socks and some dips and a present for a certain someone (who shall remain nameless) I just enjoyed the day with my cousin talking and spending time just being together.

All my life, Janet and I have been, not only cousins, but really good friends. We can just sit in the same room and read, or write or watch a movie and feel totally comfortable not saying a word. Then, of course, there are times we talk and talk and talk!

We also stopped by a local Mill to watch the water coming from one lake into the next via the waterfall. Needless to say, Pictures, lots of them, were taken.

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Janet also brought up a book she knew I would like.

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I am a huge Beatles fan and devour everything I can. I also have a wonderful collection of CD’s now and DVD’s of their two movies, plus Anthology. Yeah, just call me a Beatles Babe!

I did stop briefly to get a new toy for the kids and a ball for Fritz. The two pups just loved the toy Chipmunk.

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As you can see, Greta was supervising.

The day ended with Arnie actually asking to go out for important things, and the two pups falling asleep in my chair.

Some days are just so very good!

The Worst Is Over & Other Exciting Things

The worst is over and Hubby and I are on the mend. We both actually ate “real” food today, and started to regain our health. I went out and got my hair done, picked up the mail and Hubby actually got out of bed and put on clothes. He even took care of the puppies while I was gone. Of course he had the help of Fritz and Greta with the puppies so he wasn’t completely alone.

I arrived back from my “dip in the fountain of youth” to find a hungry Hubby and four hungry dogs. I put on my apron and “whipped” up an easy meal for Hubby and then fed all four dogs. Then the fun began as I tried to get the two puppies to do all their business outside.

Anneliese is pretty easy, in that when you bring her out she knows why she is there and will usually perform. Although she will often not perform all her business during one outing. Two, I can handle. Arnie on the other hand is still a bit of a dumb bunny. He will head for the newspapers in the puppy room and I will call to him. I’ll race outside with him and he will then stand there looking at me like I am the one who should be doing something. So we come back in and two seconds later he runs out toward the puppy room. I race after him, and run outside (grabbing my coat, hat and gloves) only to have him stare at me blankly again. I bring him back in and just as my fanny is hitting the seat he runs back to the puppy room.

I jump up as if shot out of a cannon, and race outside with him again. This time I forget my hat and gloves but I have the flashlight and can walk further out into the doggie poop mine field with my puppy. I finally help him find just the right spot and he goes! Woo-hoo!!! Then there are Milk Bones given all around in celebration.

I worry that I am truly insane trying to raise two pups at the same time. Then I look down in my lap at the two faces of the pups sleeping there and I realize that I wouldn’t have it any other way.

News From The Sick House

It’s been quiet here at the Dackel Princess House. Hubby and I are still under the weather with this stomach flu, and I ascertained today that this is not one of the 24 hour types but more like a week. I’m prepared to go the distance, as I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter.

Meanwhile the dogs have been wonderful. The puppies have actually been asking to go out and when I pass out on the sofa to sleep, they tend to climb up and go to sleep with me. I swear that their TLC is what is getting me through all of this.

I personally want to thank Coca Cola and Ginger Ale for keeping us hydrated, and Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup for at least sitting well in my tummy.

I’m actually due to go have my hair done tomorrow, and if I am feeling better, I will. If not I will postpone the appointment for a week.

I have heard from 2 of my puppy buyers and the other babies are doing great. I am so pleased to know that the babies have all gone to such good homes.

The Rain Came Tumbling Down And Other Things

Our big snow storm of Sunday night, turned into rain while I slept. 3 or 4 or 5 inches of rain! It has washed away all of the snow and created giant puddles in our yard. Puddles so deep that Anneliese and Arnie hate to go outside as the rain water touches their bellies!

I was listening to the news and heard that a mud slide had happened in the southern part of the state, very near my daughter’s condo. My daughter’s home is on a HILL! I called her to make sure she was fine and also her home. She is, and so is her home, although there will be a detour for her to use to get home for a while.

Meanwhile, it rained here all day. The wind blew, the rains poured down and each time I took Anneliese and Arnie out I got soaked. I actually changed my clothes three times before finally giving up on staying dry.

My flu returned and I started to run a fever just as Hubby’s fever broke. I have warned him to stay away from me so we do not keep passing this thing back and forth. We did have a little appetite tonight and had french toast for dinner. (**A short note here, we never eat breakfast for dinner. It’s against Hubby’s religion or something, so this was a first. Me? I could eat breakfast at every meal. I LOVE breakfast!**)

Our little Anneliese is feeling the pains of being the smallest member of our family. I’m not letting her dwell on it and I am encouraging her to see herself as a big dog!

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Of course she will, always be, my little baby girl!

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Nor’easters, Stomach Flu’s And Pups

Okay, so Hubby and I are just about dead this weekend. Apparently the flu shot we got in October didn’t cover the stomach flu that has spread across New England. Since I am the one without a raging fever, I was sent to the store for the important items like Coca Cola, Ginger Ale, chicken broth, beef broth, bread for cinnamon toast and saltine crackers.

We both have lived on Pepto Bismol tablets and as I also have the incredible good luck of having a migraine, I have been taking Tylenol. I’ve got to tell you that I truly have had better days.

To top off all this “wonderfulness”, we are in the middle of a classic New England Nor’easter! Yes, the snow is coming down heavily, and sticking and well, just making a terrible mess! Nothing like a big snow storm to make you feel good when you have the flu!

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This is the great State of New Hampshire. The blue you can see on this radar image is SNOW! The darker the blue the heavier the snow.

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My own back yard.

Just when I had given up hope of feeling at all well today, Fritz and the puppies started playing and I was able to snap a few good pictures. You can see how much he loves the puppies and how much they love him.

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Anneliese, Fritz and Arnie

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Anneliese and Fritz

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Arnie, Fritz and Anneliese

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Arnie,Anneliese and Fritz

So now I will crawl under a blanket and try to stay warm and get well.

Wish me luck.