Fritz – Page 7 – The Dackel Princess

Psycho Dog

Okay, I’m crazy. I know that now. I mean anyone who has 4 dogs definitely has a screw loose, but to take ALL 4 dogs to the Vets, well I think that makes me certifiable!

The puppies needed their last boosters today and Fritz and Greta needed their heart worm checks and their shots. So what they heck, I didn’t think it would be all that tough. You know, put them all in the car and go.

This would have worked well had we either not had Fritz with us, or perhaps drugged him! He was terrible! I’m not sure why. I mean, at home he is the sweetest, gentlest German Shepherd that we have ever had,

but put him near a car or in a car and he becomes “Psycho Dog”!!!

Hubby came with me today, so at least I had strong arms to hold our 77 pound boy down and to walk him to and from the car. Thank God! I really couldn’t have done it without him. The girls, and Arnie were Angels! But then, I think that dachshunds are all Angels!

Everyone had their exams, their shots and we are all set for the tick and flea and mosquito season. I don’t have to bring Fritz in until September for his rabies shot. I think then we’ll get a large dose of tranquilizers.

For me!

Playtime In Dackel Princess Land

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Life In A Kennel

Hubby pointed out the other day that now that we are a four dog family, things have become much like life in a kennel. Our days are falling into a pattern of up with the birds (or should I say puppies), and to sleep at dusk.

The puppies are learning how to act and they are getting more and more potty trained each day. They play almost all day and naps are going by the wayside. Shucks. I need my sleep!

Mr. Fritzi is getting used to the babies and I think he actually likes them. He will sit in front of my chair and looks quite at peace. And when they lean down and kiss his nose I think he actually likes it.

Anneliese, Arnie and Mr Fritz.

I think Hubby is enjoying them too. He will sit over on the sofa with all the dogs and talk to them, teach the smaller ones to look out the window and laugh at their antics.

Me? Well, I feel like a new mother. I’m a bit sleep deprived, I am on my feet most of the day and I am trying desperately to keep up with two toddler puppies. Wish I could diaper them, it would save me the carpet cleaning and the rushed trips out to the back yard.

But I am happy. Happy with my little dog family and Hubby. I know once the puppies are house trained, life will become so much easier. In the meantime, I will enjoy the beautiful faces and loving looks.

My Sweet Anneliese

Feeling Loved

I want to know how Carol Brady did it? How did she have 6 children and have them all grow up happy and healthy and seemingly well adjusted? Here I am with 4 dogs and I’m working pretty hard to give each of them “quality time” each day.

I noticed that Greta was a little grumpy the other day and was doing all sorts of things to get my attention. So I spent time focusing just on her. So what happens? The two puppies revert back to wee-weeing in unwanted places! All I can say is Thank God for the “Big Green Clean Machine” carpet cleaner!

Fritz is the only one not demanding a lot of attention these days and so I feel guilt ridden about that and work hard to pat and speak lovingly to him.

Today I felt so outmatched that I thought perhaps my only recourse was to hire a puppy nanny. Someone to come in and take the dogs for walks, clean up there messes, while I sit here and eat bon-bons and pat my little friends.

But no. Where’s the fun in that? Why once I get the puppies house broken, I will have that accomplishment to revel in! I’ll be in the grocery store talking to the Deli man saying stuff like, “And I house trained two puppies, at the same time and it was still winter!” He, of course, will look at me and exclaim, “Wow! I’ve only read about people like you!”

So after I’d cleaned the carpet for the second time and walked the puppies for the 10th time today, in the rain, (don’t you feel bad for me?) I sat down with both little pups and Greta in my lap and Fritz by my feet, and I was actually grateful for these four furry wonders. I felt so loved.

I know. Just call me crazy!

The Puppies Are 15 Weeks!!!

I’d planned on a nice quiet Sunday, but that didn’t happen. I awoke to find that I didn’t have enough eggs for breakfast for two, and there for would need to take a trip to the grocery store. So Hubby and I walked the pooches, and then headed off to get food.

The best I can say about our shopping trip was that it was interesting to people watch while we pushed the cart through the store. There were families shopping. This proved to be amusing because some of the husband/wife combo’s made sense, while others simply were amusing. Like, “how the heck did they ever get together?”.

Our trip was a short one and we returned home to play with the pups. Since our back yard is a vast sea of wet and mud I didn’t want to keep the puppies out there too much. So in we came, toweled them dry and set about playing.

Arnie

Anneliese

Playing with one of Greta’s big bones.

We watched them in awe and laughed a lot. Fritz is becoming more and more comfortable and does well with them.

But one thing I hadn’t considered is Greta. My poor little girl is a little jealous of all the attention the puppies are getting. In the last few days I have tried to spend some quality time with her. Funny. Dogs are like kids in so many ways.

This And That Sunday

I woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. I got the leashes and walked the pups, who were having so much fun in the snow that they didn’t want to think about why we were there. I finally got them to “concentrate”, and then we came in to play.

I now have my morning routine down. I set up the coffee maker the night before, so when I am on the way out the door with the puppies, I flip on the coffee maker. When I come back in the coffee is made. Ahhhhhh!

So back to today. I sat down, turned on my computer and let it boot up. Once I downloaded my email I realized that I hadn’t written anything for today’s entry! Oh no! How could that be? Call it exhaustion from my never ending cold. It is my only excuse. That, and now that I am the mother of two 15 week old puppies, I am busy from morning until night!

For those of you who have asked how “Uncle” Fritz is doing with the two babies, I thought I would end today’s post with three pictures of him playing with Arnie.

Arnie The Wonder Boy!

I have to tell you. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I thought about selling Arnie! He is such a doll and such an easy going, sweet boy and I feel like I fell in love with him a long time ago and just didn’t know.

You see, I’m prejudice. I do not usually like boy dogs. I’m a “girl dog” person. I’ve always had them, always found them easier to train and somehow found them easier to snuggle with.

Arnie is changing all of that. He comes over and falls down on my feet. He sleeps on my toes, in my lap he wriggles and cuddles and then settles in to sleep. Arnie kisses my chin and looks up into my eyes and makes me feel like I am the only one in the world for him.

He also was the first of the two puppies to crack Fritz.

Fritz was just terrified of the two puppies. He would moan and groan and bare his teeth. What did Arnie do? He lay down, flipped over on his back and took his front paws and tickled Fritz on the chin. At first Fritz wasn’t buying this, but slowly he started to warm up to the little guy. Now Fritz is really doing well. He allows the puppies to run around him, he isn’t growling and I think he actually likes them now.

And it is all because of Arnie! Yes, he is quite a boy!

New Toys

The new toys I had ordered for the puppies arrived today. I had gotten an assortment of stuffed animals, bones and balls. After their morning nap I introduced them to their new toys. They went crazy! And so did their mother, Greta.

It’s an amazing thing. Greta no longer looks at them as her kids. She treats them like best pals and she plays with them with wild abandon. It is so wonderful to see the three dogs running around like crazy just enjoying each other.

Arnie

Arnie & Anneliese

Arnie in the front and Anneliese in the back

I had the dogs out a lot today and consequently Arnie began “performing” for me. I now have two good puppies who are getting house trained. I just wish spring would come and it would warm up. It is just a little less thrilling to jump up and drag the pups out when it is 19 degrees outside! Still I am grateful.

The pups, old and young are all asleep now, and I am curled up with a nice warm blanket. Simply a great way to end my day.

Life At The Dackel Princess House

Amazing things are happing at the Dackel Princess house. Old Uncle Fritz is warming up to Anneliese and Arnie and he is actually starting to gently “play” with them. In a rare moment I was able to reach the movie camera and capture this event this morning. Usually as soon as I pick up the video camera, Fritz jumps down, but today, he stayed and played!

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I have been trying to increase my drinking of water. I believe in the past I have spoken of my general dislike for water. Yes, it is good to bathe in, and yes it is good to cook in and wash in, but to drink? Not so much. However, I discovered “flavored” water. I love the lemon and cherry and the tropical flavors! I have been known to down 4 or 5 bottles in a day.
Recently I discovered that I am not the only designer water lover.

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Thursday Thirteen #41

Thirteen Things About Fritz
Our White German Shepherd

1. Fritz was born out in Oregon in 2003. His astrological sign is Leo the Lion, but he tends to resemble the Lion in the Wizard of Oz. Not that he is necessarily cowardly, but because he is gentle and sweet, like the Lion was.

2. Fritz came to us when he was 8 weeks old. Hubby flew out and picked him up and flew back with Fritzi in a soft sided dog carrier tucked under the seat in front of him.

3. When he was 4 months old we entered him in a dog show. He was so beautiful, and I knew he would do well.

4. He did very well and won Best Puppy In Show!

5. Fritz is wonderful and gentle with small kids. He loves them.

6. Fritzi loves the ladies, but he is his Daddy’s boy and follows him everywhere.

7. Fritz’s glory days as a fashion plate ended when he was t6 months old and his nose turned pink. But we love him anyway.

8. Fritz runs like a deer. I sometimes stand in the doorway and watch him run across the field.

9. Fritz’s best friend is a Sckipperke named Kodiak. They love to play together outside.

10. Fritz is a sweetie and so good, but not in the car. When we must take him in the car, for any reason, he turns into a wild dog.

11. In the evening he likes to sit in the family room with us while we watch the TV

12. At 9:30 exactly he wants to go outside for his last wee-wee of the night.

13. At 10 PM Fritz and I go to bed. I will ask him if he is ready and he will run ahead of me into our room. This is so cute and he does it every night.