Friday, April 30, 2010

Beware, things do happen

Few years ago, a customer of mine told me what had happened to her niece's dog. Her niece had a Bull Mastiff about a year old, so she used to take him in her cabriole and of course when you drive a capriole, you have the roof down. That day was no different then many other days, her dog was about one year old and used to be in the car with her all the time. The wind blowing in his face, following all the movements out of the car and being part of everything.
He saw something of interest and while she was driving he jumped out of the car, got hit by another car and died. She was devastated, how can you overcome anything like that.

Yesterday, one of our four legged friends went with his owner to central park, they done that many times. Playing with the other dogs and meeting the other dog owners. It is a great set up, they can roam around without a leash until 9 am. The only difference was, that his daddy had walked a friend to the subway and entered central park from a different entrance. The dog saw someone he knew and took off to greet him/her. The daddy was looking for him with a lot of fear and worry, until someone told him that a dog got hit by a car at columbus circle. He rushed over to him and picked him up. The pup was in shock, so he stayed calm, he took him by taxi to the animal clinic. The very good news in this case is, that the pup is very fortunate and had only his two front legs broken and not shattered. The animal clinic had to wait 24 hours before surgery, to make sure that their were no internal injuries. The surgery was today and everything went very well. The recovery is estimated for 6 weeks. I am sure their will be some pain, but a lot more of pampering and he will be back with us in no time.
I always get scared when I see people driving with there windows all the way down or having dogs on the back of their trucks, beware things do happen.


Woof, woof


Sabine

Thursday, April 29, 2010

This is Amelia's Story told by her beautiful Owner

In the photo you see Amelia (black Labrador) and her sister Olive (English Bulldog) who has passed away.

Amelia is not quiet as young as in this picture, but still a puppy at heart.
She is very good natured, loves everybody and everything. She lives with a very active Family, who used to take her on long hikes and beach walks everyday. She has slowed down a bit, but still loves the outdoors.

Woof, woof

Sabine

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I just had breakfast, but their is room for a little more

Most dogs love to scavenge on the beach. They could have just eaten, but that all does not mean anything when something appetizing hits their nose. Two days ago, we where on our way back, so I am counting the dogs, to make sure that we are all going back together. One was missing and sure enough it was Oliver. I knew he was not ahead of me, so I started walking back and what do I find, a very happy Oliver eating some very old deer left over. He had a big chunk of the ribcage in his mouth, already bleached by the sun. The good thing is, he listens when I call and I did not have to drag him away from the carcass. They love to eat all kind of things, starting with nice green lushes grass, seasoned meat and wood, dried crab legs, fish even poop and so on. Sometimes they use it as a supplement if their is something missing in their diet or just being dogs, eating anything what comes their way.
Their stomaches is so much tougher then ours. That said, it does not mean that they will not throw up and have diarrhea, a lot of times it just needs to get out of the system and they are ok afterwords. If the diarrhea and vomiting continuos, they would have to see a vet for some med's and making sure that they are not dehydrated, or have some bacterias in the system.


Woof, Woof


Sabine

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Back in town

After spending time abroad with his sister, D is back in action. They were greatly missed and very happy to see their doggie friends and humans, after such a long time.
D's sister show's her teeth when she meets you, but not in anger, that is her way of greeting and smiling at you when she is happy. It really looks like a sheepish grin, really funny. They were both running around on the beach, exploring the things they have not seen for a while, all the new smells of all the doggies they have yet to meet. One of the funniest things they do is howl, it can happen in the car driving to the beach or at home, suddenly they start that beautiful song and other dogs are chiming in. Of course you may think a howl is a howl, but it is not. They are all different like us humans, not everybody can sing well, even so we think we do, sometimes the passion can make up the difference. The howl is full of harmony. The head is lifted, nose all the way up, if they have a chance, the two front paws standing on something higher and the back straight it can be, it is very beautiful to be part of it. I will try to tape it next time.


Woof, woof

Sabine

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Water is getting warmer every day

It must look funny to some people who do not know us very well, the way we are all dressed differently. Wool hats, down jackets, raincoats, gloves and so on. The weather is so unpredictable one day extremely hot and the next day, like fall weather. So that makes it hard to dress right for the dog walk. It is good to keep some extra closing in the car, just in case. April showers bring May flowers, so it says and we had plenty of rain. For me, I do not like to overheat. So on days like yesterday or today I will wear a coat with a hood, pull up my sweat pants to my knees and wear sandals without socks. The dogs are funny at times, the balls are in the water and nobody wants to get them. When the balls are close enough I can fetch them instead of the dogs, I guess all the humans on the beach are well trained. I must say the water is getting warmer everyday. Can not wait for the warmer days and then we will all get in the water with the dogs, maybe that is what say are waiting for.


Woof, woof


Sabine

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Soaked to the Bone

It was wet today, but never the less beautiful. I love the walk towards the preserve. Even so it was dreary and the high grass is not as high right now and the green not as green as I have seen it before. It is still breathtaking. In the summer, when the Fiedler crabs hang out near the shore, hiding every time one comes near. It is amazing how big that one claw is, but it does not stop them from running and hiding in their little wholes dug up in the sand. When it is green, it is not only one shade of green, oh no, so many different once and one more lushes then the next. It looks like a painter has tried out his Palette of all greens and painted it right on that spot. What a creation and so simple that it made me cry many times, being overwhelmed by its beauty.
The dogs love it, because of all the different and new smells. They run around in the murky water like little children. Long, long time ago, one dog who loves to roam, took of and went straight to the other side of the preserve, calling did not help. Being worried that he might get stuck I tried to follow him, but I gave it up faster then I can type it, because I got stuck. So, I had to walk around it and catch up with him at the other end. He is much calmer and older now. Even so we all got wet, we had a great time, I think my dear camera has not enjoyed the walk as much as I have. It was not the smartest thing to do, but sometimes I think I am invincible, so I hope with all my heart, that she will be working again tomorrow, if not I sure hope that I have learned my lesson.



Woof, woof


Sabine


Saturday, April 24, 2010

Halo around the moon

Who let the dogs out? Well I did and I noticed this beautiful halo around the moon. So I ran back inside to grab my camera.

Trying to take pictures and not stepping in some fresh poop in the dark is a little bit of a challenge, after turning the porch light off. Everything went well. It was so beautiful to watch the sky, nothing stays the same, everything moves incredibly fast and the colors change constantly. It reminded me somewhat of Alaska, watching the Northern Lights while I was up north above the Arctic Circle and it brought back some very fond memories and all those great people and experiences I had up their.


Woof, woof

Sabine



Friday, April 23, 2010

You are my bitch this week

Love, love love...

I have mentioned the Irish Terrier before, this time he is in love with the Duck Tolling. I guess we can all agree, that the Tolling is very handsome and I know that he is very competitive and athletic as well.
They see each other on the beach quiet a lot, but for some reason, the Irish T. never paid much attention to the Duck T. until they both stayed with me for a little while. Now he can not get enough of him, he follows him everywhere, licks him and fights of any other interested (and only in his mind) male dogs. The Tolling does not seem to care, when it gets to much even for him, he will show his teeth and will growl, but that is all he will do. That does not scare the lover boy a bit and he will start running after his love of the week again and again. Like I said before, the Duck T he is very competitive and does not take any nonsense from anybody. It is funny to watch them, the Duck T runs after a ball and the Irish T is right behind him. He is not that young, 13 years of age, but he seems very much energized, with all that activity.
Last week he had his eyes on the Schnauzer and on and off the older St. Bernhard girl, so what trigger' t this love affair, who knows.

I remember few years ago, the Duck T had a huge crush on a very and I mean very old Pug, he followed him relentlessly, did not care about a ball or a stick, had only eyes for his little Pug. So, who knows maybe he remembers the good old days and gives this old timer some slack.

Woof, woof

Sabine

Thursday, April 22, 2010

That's how I feel, ready for bed

Great day on the beach, new dog's and owner joined the group today. Very playful and fun, nice having them around. The light was just spectacular and the water is getting warmer, that means soon we can swim, hurrrrrah. Not enough hour's in the day to finish all.



Woof, woof

Sabine

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tyler and his beautiful Family

This is Tyler's story, told by his lovely parents. Tyler loves his ball, but is not very competitive like some other dogs.
He loves other dogs, mainly the gentle kind. His best animal friend is a cat named Ms.Kitty, Tyler reminds me often of a cat, I wonder if that is why. He likes me, loves his daddy, but adores his mom, to him she is like the last cats meow. When she comes to pick him up, you should hear him scream, mommy, mommy, where have you been.

When the other dogs start howling in the car, he chimes right in. He is very sweet and loving. The Video has a few blurry moments, when Tyler was to far away and even so it did not seem to windy, because I love the wind, the microphone picked up the wind and it sounds very loud.



Woof, woof

Sabine








Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Rough day today

Had a rough day today, depression and sadness, the dogs made me smile at times, that was good. It was nice and windy on the beach and so beautiful.

Which I could have been hiding in bed, but no time. Massage helped tonight, got some clarity.



Woof, woof

Sabine

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Next Generation

This group of young dogs is very active on the beach. Most of them are girls/tomboys, they do not put up with any nonsense. They are tough, smart, strong, beautiful and fast, ready for any challenge. On the beach anything goes, at home they are what you want them to be.




I remember most of them when they were tiny little puppies, scared little fur balls hiding behind they even more scared mommy's and daddy's. Mostly on there backs, trying to get away from some of the older dogs who where a little rough with them at times and the pups did not quiet know how to play yet. But that all changed fast, they had enough dogs to play with them
who were in there own age group. Soon they started branching out more, learning to be more confident and starting to run with the bigger dogs. Now we are starting a new generation and guess what, they are doing exactly what was done to them. History does repeat itself.


Woof, woof

Sabine






Sunday, April 18, 2010

We may be getting older, but nothing can stop us.



All of these dogs you see and many more not in the pictures are from eight to thirteen years of age, but that does not stop them from having fun. They may be not as fast as the younger dogs in our group, but they still love to run, swim for the balls and sticks and bark when they are impatient. A little grayer around the muzzles, but still as beautiful as the first day we laid eyes on them. Sleeping and resting a little longer after the beach walk. Every fatty tumor being checked out at the vet, with the fear, that it might be something serious. Jumping into the car or into the bed, is not as easy as it used to be, one gets stiffer and is not so bouncy anymore. Some of the habits are changing. They want to sit in the front in the car and not deal with all the nonsense in the back.
If they were puppies, it would be funny, because puppies are slow, clumsy and young and they have their whole life ahead of them.

Few years ago, when Eric and I where out of town and my friend's dog was playing and running with the neighboring dog, I could not ignore the fact that Eric was getting older. He was running as well and trying to catch the other guys who where a few years younger, but he was so far behind. He did not know, that he was slowing down. Eric had just as much fun, as they did, he could care less, it did not matter to him as much as to me, that he was slowing down.
It just made me sad, because I know what lies ahead of us, but I enjoy Eric and the others so much, because they teach us to be in the moment, not to think about what could be, just to enjoy the now. Right now he is sleeping next to me and is snoring. The good thing is, that we have a lot of young dogs in our group, who will keep the old guys younger and more flexible and accepting and teaching the young pups what is up and what is down.


Woof, Woof

Sabine

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Driftwood and other Goodies you find and see on the Beach



One thing I love about Nature is, that it is never boring and the reason, because it always changes.

High tide, low tide can make all the difference for the walk. The walk is easier for me when we have low tide. The edges are more solid and it is more like a stroll.
I love the wind and so do the dogs, they seem more energized and a little bit more crazy and wild. The dogs and I are putting our heads up and let the wind caress our faces. Listening to the wind and the soft repetitious sounds of the waves, back and forth, like a rocking chair, is very soothing to me.

So walking along the beach, watching the dogs play, finding interesting things, like this piece of metal, I am copying my friend, who did this with a sheet of ice. I thought it was very clever. Finding small or large pieces of wood, who turn into sculptures, depends where your imagination takes you. Another friend of mine picks up lures, they come in all different shapes and colors and I seen them at her house, put all together and it is like a piece of art, I just love it.

The light on the beach is just breath taking. We have our very sunny days or other days you have an overcast and then the sun peeks through the clouds and gives you only a glimpse, what the day might be, but in terms of taking pictures I love it the most, because it almost looks surreal later in the photographs. I took a picture of a german shepherd, who went into the water, while there was only in glimpse of sunshine, it was almost like " Beam me up Scottie".


When we get to the end of the walk, where we almost turn around. There is an area full of driftwood, like a graveyard. Tree stumps, trees, roots all mingled together. Today the wood was all dark and moist, because of the rain the night before. Yesterday it was all dry. One tree trunk all smooth, round and grey, soft to the touch, like a newborn baby.


Woof, woof

Sabine



Friday, April 16, 2010

How flexible is a dog?

Watching dogs play everyday for the last 12 years, makes me wonder, if I have seen it all, but surprisingly enough and being thankful for it, I have not seen it all.

There is a new surprise everyday, a new jump or twist. Stopping right in front of a ball, that even the behind goes up, because they are so fast and where are the breaks again? Turning midair to get out of the way or just jumping over a smaller dog, which was probably not appreciated.

Running down a hill in a speed, that makes you want to pray, that nothing will happen to the dog. Landing on there four paws hopefully, not always, the spine bending like a gymnast. Dashing, under, over thick brush, how do they fit? Sometimes because of their size they are coming to a dead end and have to retract, but not often. When they chase each other, the amazing turns they make or jumping up in the air with all four paws off the ground, it is like a dance and the wind and waves are the symphony.

Where we walk is a nice long fence on one side and the bay on the other, but thank god to nature, nothing stays the same, so there are some areas where they can climb under the fence. As we all know, the grass is greener on the other side, until we get to the other side. When they are ready to come back, you should see them. Looking for an area where the fence is a little higher so they can climb under and come back to us. You should see them, they look like a swimmer or a seal in the water, head down and under first, then head up, arching the back so they can fit, crawling and pulling themselves until the behind follows. Some dogs are better at it then others. Amazingly the larger dogs are very good at it.

All the running, turning, stopping reminds me sometimes of polo horses, the difference is, that the dogs do it on there own free will and the polo horses on the command of the rider.
The nice thing about the beach walk is, that it is like an agility course, but only free style.



Woof, woof


Sabine





Thursday, April 15, 2010

Baby Bunny Saved by the Bell

Today started out like every other day, getting the dogs into the car, driving to the beach. Crazy barking until I open the doors to let them out, taking my life in my own hands not to be knocked over.
Everybody is very impatient, because I take to long getting the leashes, poop bags, tennis balls and my camera out. Now we can start. Throwing some balls, just to get the dogs of my back, so I can pick up poop. Bending over, there is a tennis ball right in my face, it did not even take a second for them to come back. So, it all takes a few minutes to clean up as much as I can and find.
In the meantime I lost the balls I threw earlier, now I am down to three balls.

For some reason the beach seems to swallow them. It always amazes me, with how many balls I leave and how few I come back. My dog Eric looses them by the ton, he thinks I have a tree in the backyard and that my bag has bottomless supplies.

My friend throws the balls and sticks for the dogs, who are hanging around her barking and eager to catch the next ball. Sometimes they try other friends, but when it does not work, back to my friend. Hoping that it is their turn next.

In the mean time I take pictures, many of them and try to video tape some of the funny moments. Which is not always easy because the dogs are to fast and running to much back and forth. When I walk with the camera, it bounces up and down, watching it later on the computer makes me almost seasick. People talking or walking into the frame and no it is not a complain just an observation. So the best thing for me is almost standing in place and follow the dogs with the camera.

Anyway, so we were walking talking enjoying the dogs, looking at some of the driftwood, which are almost sculptures. This one in particular, all soft and washed out, so beautiful. Suddenly one dog came running down the hill with something in his mouth and a little squeak. The owner rushed right over and there it was a tiny Baby Bunny. A little bit in shock, but not one mark on him/her.
So in order to keep it away from the dogs, I used some of my t-shirt rapped it into it and let my bosom and heartbeat take care of the rest. It got very calm and I could feel it move a little here and there, but all in all it was still and did not try to get away.
We saw an Offspring yesterday and some rabbit remains, it may have been the mother or not, why it was out off his den who knows, it was so small could not even walk.
By the end of the walk it was warm and relaxed and the bunny's ears were perking up. My friend took it to the Wild Life Center and I will find out tomorrow how it is doing.



Woof, woof

Sabine




Wednesday, April 14, 2010

This is the Story of Skye and his beautiful owner

THIS IS SKYE'S STORY ..........




Skye is a very much full of life puppy who thinks and can proof, that size does not matter. He and his mommy visit me often. Skye is always in a good mood, does not get discouraged by bigger dogs, even when they roll him around. Bounces up and down, listens when he wants to, runs circles around you, when you try to catch him. Very independent and smart, when you meet him, you can only fall in love with him, because he got it all. Woof, woof Sabine

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The United Nations of Dogs

On our beach everybody is welcome. Nobody needs a passport, a green card, ID card or any other form of ID. The dogs all speak the same language and understand each other. Woof, woof seems to be the universal language. Many of them traveled far by plane to cross the human borders, or cross country by plane, train or car. All to get to that same beach. Even so some were brought up under different languages or different dialect's and life style's, woof, woof and body language will be understood, doesn't matter where they are from and how they live at home. They may get the best food money can buy, the cheapest there is or have a chef cook for them, grooming or no grooming, doggie beds, hard wooden floors or human beds, on our beach there are all the same. They get out of there cars, start running, playing barking some louder because nobody is listening to them. I call them the United Nations of Dogs. All these different breeds, getting along, playing, rough housing and again do not get me wrong, sometimes someone gets hurt, but I have not seen a real dog fight in a long time. Mainly because they understand the rules. How things are done, what it means to lie on your back totally exposed to let the other one know, that you do not mean any harm. The same position means I feel save and I am so comfortable. Biting the neck and pulling on each others ear, teaching each other playfully respect. That's how the Mom's teach there pup's. Mutt's and Pure Breed's, all of them are great, whether there owners have Registered Papers from the Kennel club or if they have been running around some place unknown. It means more to us humans then to the Doggies of the World to be registered and having papers.

Woof, woof

Sabine

Monday, April 12, 2010

Dog safety one on one Part 2

Hot spots are very common and can appear on different parts on the body. It could start out as an ear infection. The scratching starts to take care of an itch and it might turn into a Hot Spot on the neck. They start out small, but grow fast.

Specially in the summer, when the dogs go swimming and have there tight colors on. Afterwards it is better to take the color off and let the neck and color dry out. Definitely on very humid days. One off my customers has a lab, with a big turkey neck. After he went swimming I had left the color on. I had him for a couple of days. When they got him back, they gave him a bath. They called me right away and said, Sabine, my dog has a small pancake size red area under his chin. I rushed over, because I had not noticed anything earlier. When I got there, I saw the big red spot under his chin. They where not kidding. The good thing was, even so it appeared big, it was not as bad as I thought. It could have been the beginning off a bad hot spot, if they had not noticed it. We cleaned it up and put some antibiotic cream on the area and it took care of it. Sometimes the dog needs Antibiotic's and a steroid injection to get rid of the itch and infection. So from that day on, when I have dogs who love to swim and have a lot of hair, I will take the color off, to air dry the neck. Matted areas turn a lot of times into hot spots, when the hair gets to tide and close to the skin some dogs start chewing the area and it will turn into a hot spot. I am sure there are many more incidents how a hot spot can start, so check out the website below to get more information.

Woof, woof

Sunday, April 11, 2010

My dog Eric's 12th Birthday

We got Eric when he was 7 weeks of age.
He came to us as a foster puppy and we had to socialize him for the Guide Dog Foundation in Smithtown. That means toilet training, taking him shopping to the Library, in those days the Library was on Jobs Ln. and he was always welcome, even so he put his paws up on the counter to say hello. Post office, busses, trains, you get the idea.
Every chore took so much longer, because I had to make sure, that he had gone to the bathroom before we entered the stores, because the last thing you wanted was, Eric taking a dump or pee in a store. Most stores welcomed him, there where a couple who where not as kind to us then others. Which I could not understand, he was so cute, this little black Lab puppy with his yellow coat, it was a little to big for him at the time, saying guide dog in training. Eventually he grew into it.
Eric has always been this great puppy, being in a good mood and getting along with humans and dogs.
I grew up with cats all my life, so Eric was my first dog with whom I fell in love.
His first and almost last pigs ear, diarrhea for three days. Stealing my sandwich from the coffee table, when I mistakingly thought I had few seconds to get my tea. I chased him around the table, but Eric had that grin on his face while he was running and eating my sandwich. How can you be mad at him, I should have known better. Running to the door and eager to leave the house with me to go shopping. Always so trusting and I can only hope that I did not fail him. Sometimes I think I might expect to much from him, because he is so understanding and easy going. When it was time to give him up, to be in training to become a Guide Dog it was the hardest thing for me. Even so I am totally behind the program, my head was for it and my heart totally against everything I believed. I became so depressed that I had to see a therapist. Few month later we got a call if we would like to take Eric back, because his ear infections caused problems. We of course said yes. I admire all the people who have bigger hearts then I did, who raise Guide dogs, Companion dogs......year after year.
Today is Eric's 12th birthday, he is getting grey around the muzzle and his paws, has Arthritis, Food Allergies and still Ear infections at times, but we go to the beach every day and he loves to swim and tease us with the ball. I love you Eric.

Woof, woof

Sabine

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Dog safety one on one

they have been many times, that I seemed to think that I had thought of everything, to make sure that all the dogs are save and sound. So far I have been very fortunate. I am not talking about the occasional dog fight, bite or stepping on something sharp with there paws, no I am talking of things you really do not think about until someone tells you about it and that is how I learned to keep them save.
Few Years ago, a customer told me a story about there dogs and the power windows in a car. It makes life easier, you do not have to roll the window anymore. No, with the push off a button, it goes up and down.
It is great and so convenient, specially for the back seat windows. My customers phone rung and he pulled over, while on the phone, one of his dogs stepped on the window button and it rolled down. The dog jumped out of the car, without my customer noticing it. When he got home he realized, that one of his dogs was missing. He almost had a heart attack, but he realized what and where it had happened. He drove back to that spot and there was the missing dog, who had crossed the road safely, now crossing it again to get back to his owner.
From that time on I secured my windows, by pressing down the child proof lock.
The other good reason why to lock the windows is, that it goes up as well and can choke your dog, you may not realize it fast enough, panic and have an accident.

Leaving treats in your jacket and hanging it up, may not be good for your jacket.Some dogs are determent and will get to the jacket does not matter what. If you are lucky the jacket will be intact, if not it will have wholes and the dog might throw up. Leaving evidence behind.


Woof, woof

Sabine

Friday, April 9, 2010

When a handshake just won't do...how dogs get to know each other!


where have you been, what are you up to, so you come here often, oh you smell good, who is your groomer? I have never sniffed you before.

It is so easy for dogs to find out in an instant, what they like and whom they like. They take
one good sniff and know immediately, if they like each other or not. The occasional growl, if
they do not want to be bothered. Some get barked at, because they either want the other dog to play with them or pure harassment. Later on they are in cahoots and run into the preserve together. Most of them do get along and play well or just ignore each other.

My friend told me the other day about this dog I was taken care off, with a name from a city, far and far away.
After a nice long walk, I started loading up the dogs into my car. For some reason he
did not know where I was and run around looking for me. So I called him, he came over, looked still a little confused, sniffed my behind, a big smile and he knew it was me. I guess I am one of them. She said it was so funny to watch and I smile just reliving that day.

But don't worry, I promise I won't sniff your behind when we meet!


Woof, woof

Sabine





Thursday, April 8, 2010

Visit to the Vet

I feel very fortunate how many Veterinarian we have out here, because of my Business/Petsitter I got to know and respect many of them.

Today I took Oliver to one very special Vet, he works with Eastern/Western Medicine, Herbal Medication, Acupuncture, you name it.

Oliver was examined and ex rayed. He has some Arthritis and swollen Knee Joints and he needs to loose some weight, to make it a bit easier for his knee.

I know a lot of people who are giving low fat food, for there Pets to loose weight, but I had some good results with Eric when he needed to loose some weight with r/d Hills Prescription Diet. This way I know he will loose and then I can put him back on his regular Diet. It takes about 1-2 Month.

As for his treatment, he is going to be on Herbal Medication for about 6 month and if that will not take care of the problem, surgery. Of course, I hope that the herbs will do the trick, because who wants to deal with surgery if you can avoid it.

Eric is on herbal meds for his arthritis and acupuncture once a month, he is 12 years old, goes to the beach everyday and is in great shape. He still runs, but everybody can catch him.

Then there is my other vet few minutes from me, who is always there when I need them. Having a problem with a dog. The occasional dog bite, stepping on sharp shells or glass. I can always count on them to be there for me.

So yes, I feel very fortunate.

Woof, woof

Sabine


Wednesday, April 7, 2010

What a beautiful day

We had 88 F unbelievable, even so we start as early as 8 am, it got hot quick. Normally we walk to the left when we come down that little hill, but this morning started out late, we got there early but had a slow start anyway. By the time we got going, someone else started walking in our direction and his dog is on the leash, which means I have to put some of my dogs on the leash, so that there do not interact. That is not my idea of fun, so that is why we started walking the other way.
I used to walk that way a lot. I like it even better, then going the other way. It has a sandy hill and a great open preserve at the end of the walk. The dogs love it and the colors are just beautiful, when the grass is high and the sun hits it in all different directions. The dogs running into the swampy water, in and out and out and in. Barking, rolling and just acting really nutty. Always in the moment like there is no tomorrow.


Woof, woof

Sabine

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

I am messy but not a mess

One of the many fun things to watch is, when the dogs on our walks get dirty. They seem not to care at all. It does not matter, if they just had a bath or being expensively groomed.

They run into the pile of dirt like there is no tomorrow, of course we try to call them or run after them, who wants a smelly dog after all.

Deer poop and dead animal remains are there favorites. I do seem to notice that the once who just had a bath seem to roll more, then the dogs who did not.

My theory is, that they just want to blend in with nature and not smell like if they came out of the dryer with some strange fragrances. In nature it would work against them, if they would be hunting in packs to smell like lavender. Any animal would notice them miles away. Some instincts are still alive.

Even so they are our Babies, Friends, Companions and we like to humanize them, they are still dogs with instincts, who are capable of things we do not like to acknowledge.
Eating dead deer remains or running around with bird carcasses. They find leftovers from hunters left behind.



Woof, woof

Sabine

Monday, April 5, 2010

Not only humans can dive

We have a lot of talented dogs on our walk, but sometimes one stands out more then the others on certain days.

Most of our dogs love the water, they swim for the ball, the stick, just for the fun of it, or who knows, maybe even exercising.

Some dogs dive for a rock or a clam right at the beginning where the water is shallow, but today we had a real trooper.

This guy who does not come that often to the beach, has a problem with his poor paws who has to get used to the rugged beach every time he stays over at my house. He loves to swim and dive. He has an obsession with rocks and we are not talking about little rocks or pebbles. No some of them are huge rocks or the size of bricks. He used to push them with his nose until his nose started to bleed. The other thing was that he used to bite on his leg. Even so he can be a little bit obsessive, he does not do either of those things anymore.

So today he had an eye on this one rock and he was out quite far, he just put his head right under the water and came back with this big rock. It was incredible to watch. This dog who has
some different issues has no fear what so ever of diving and putting his head under the water.

If some of his hang ups could be channeled in a different direction, can you imagine what an athlete he could be.



Woof, woof

Sabine





Sunday, April 4, 2010

Taking video's is not so easy

I am trying to take video's on the beach of running and playing dogs.
It is not as easy as you might think. The dogs are bouncing back and force, even
so I am trying to keep my camera study as much as I can, it still seems
to fast and to much movement just following them, that it makes me almost dizzy,
when I watch it later on the computer.

I love the barking in the video, but of course people are talking, which means I have to
cut the volume out and make it a silent dog playing video, because you never know what
people might say when they think nobody is listening.

Few month ago, I had forgotten to turn the camera off and it was still recording in my bag, I dropped off a dog at a customers house and we started to talk.
When I downloaded it later that day, I said what in hell is that, the whole conversation was on that camera.
My camera bag was in the car and I was in the house few hundred feet away. That was pretty amazing and scary at the same time.

So basically I will have to try and record the dogs when I have not to many people around me.

It is getting a little better and I guess, if I learn not to panic and trying to catch everything, I might get some decent stuff.
I certainly have enough material in front of me.

Woof, woof

Sabine


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Oliver has arrived

We got the very much expected phone call, what time is good for you to bring Oliver over.
Anytime is good, ok we will be over in 45 minutes. After I hung up, I started to cry.

Oliver is this six year old yellow lab, who is very sweet and mellow, great disposition like our older boy Eric, loves to play and does not get bend out of shape when another dog is a little bit more forward then he is.
The owner brought him over and he felt right at home. He was playing with the other dogs and when dinner time came around as impatient as Eric. They both love food. Well they are Labs.
At nighttime Oliver climbed right into bed with me and put his head on my bosom. Like he never slept anywhere else.
This morning we all went to the beach and my biggest worry was, him just wondering off. Last time I had him, he did not listen at all when I called him.
He played, he swam, walked way ahead of me, but when I called he came running.
Friends ask me, how does Eric like his new brother, well he does not know, for right now Oliver is just like any other dog to him who is boarding with us, he might ask himself in a few month, when is that guy leaving?

Woof, woof

Sabine

Friday, April 2, 2010

The lost Umbrella

The next day after the storm it still kept raining, not much, to me, more like a drizzle, but still pretty windy.

So we are all walking, some come prepared, wearing rain gear, some regular cloth and one person, always brings her umbrella. The short black one you can see everywhere , when you are walking in New York City. Not necessarily on our beach.

It rains, there comes the umbrella down the slope. After a hug and hello, she kept on walking and talking to a friend way ahead of me.

I take pictures, my friend throws balls and sticks to entertain the dogs.

Since my friend with the umbrella was way ahead of us, now she is coming back towards us.

So she asks me, do you notice anything, yes I said the umbrella is missing. Yes, can you imagine, the wind was so strong and it turned over and I lost my umbrella, it flew swirling into the bay. It almost reminded me of Mary Poppins, at least she held on to her umbrella.

She told me that she was thinking about, going after the umbrella and starting to take her coat off.
Then decided against it, it is still pretty cold in the water, but looked for it in the water never the less. She knew that we were going a little bit further then she did, so please look for my umbrella.
Needless to say, we did not find it, we kept looking for the next few days, but still nothing, I thought maybe it would come back to shore all broken up, but not even that. It might be somewhere traveling thru the big ocean or being stuck on some old branch. Either way it has retired.

I guess like she said, it was not the value of the umbrella, or even if she could use it after finding it, but it had some value to her beyond money. I guess like saying good bye to an old friend, without seeing him or her again, without knowing when is the last time.



Woof, woof

Sabine






Thursday, April 1, 2010

It looked like a broken leg

The day started out with some overcast, my friend said, where is the sun, oh I said, its there just hiding.
These days it seems that we walk longer and longer, specially when we can make it around the point.
It is such a treat, it makes be believe being on a lost Island, everything feels untouched.
Some mood slides, old beautiful trees on top of the bluff and plenty of driftwood. That part I like
the most, looking at the wood and trying to see something different, like animals or faces.

The dogs where chasing each other, up and down the hill, jumping and moving like bunnies, back and forth. I tell you, when 2-4 dogs come running towards you, you can only hope not to get hit. They are like a runaway train, you better get out of the way. It mostly works, if not you try to crouch down and hope you do not brake anything.
Well, I said, they were running and having a lot of fun, when suddenly you heart that awful piercing sound, I turned around and there was my sweet little dog and the hind leg looked almost like is was hanging.
Boy was I scared, I rushed over and she wined a little when i touched her foot. I was worried that it might have been broken, so I just held and rubbed her to calm her down.
After a little while she did and I examined her again and this time, she seemed less in pain. She put some weight on the foot and limped a bit, but it did not seem to be broken. What a relief.
What had happened was, that she run into a tree and bang her leg so hard that she was probably more in shock then in pain.

By the end of the walk she was fine and this afternoon she was running again like nothing had happened earlier.


Woof, woof
Sabine