Shadow has left!!!

Hi all:
We had a short but nice time with Shadow this time. The day after he
arrived we went to the city, where Chris and I sat at our usual café
waiting for him to get some serious business done. As always, I only got
water, while Chris had cake and coffee and did some work for herself or
better, for the post office.

When Shadow returned he had something to drink, and then we boarded a
train to somewhere I had never been. But that was a nice place, we
walked through a quite large park, where I could run just a little. And
then we went into a huge church, where Shadow turned into a picture
monster. I mean he got Chris' tiny phone, constantly lifted it up to his
eyes, pressed a button and apparently took pictures of every stone in
that church. Chris called him a Japanese, but I fail to understand the
reason for that temporary change in nationalityy. Well I guess some
things are just not designed to go into my brain unasked.

The next day Mom took us to the city, where she left us and we tok a
nice walk all around. Chris and Shadow bought clothes and some CDs or
so, and Chris said she got a bad throat, so she bought some tiny
medicine. Allright, I understand that one. And back home she let me run
off leash, and I jumped and barked, only to be ignored by Chris. Too
bad, I really wanted to play!

Finally, yesterday Chris had breakfast with mom while Shadwo was still
sleeping. He only got up to go to church wth us. They say that was a
goodbye service of Chris' friend who lives by the church. O well Chris
says she used to, but not anymore. She says the friend has moved to a
place with her future husband, but that place is not too far away, so we
would go visit as soon as they are all settled together.
I was a good girl all the time, I didn't try to leave whenever Chris got
up in the middle of the ceremony. And at one point we left our bench,
and Shadow stayed back with me while Chris and mom stood right in front
of us, getting something to eat and one little bt to drink.
The weather was really good, so they had their lunch/breakfast outsde,
and I didn't even g chase cats this time!

But what was the strangest thing was taking Shadow to the train station.
I mean okay, he packed his bag, and mom and Chris and I and Shadow went
to the city, where the humans had coffee and ice-cream. And then we went
to the platform. We boarded a train and watched as Shadow put down his
huge bag. But Chris didn't take off my harness or her jacket. Instead we
returned and was to find the door outside. Shadow came with us but gave
mom and Chris big hugs. Then he stepped on the train and Chris stayed
outside. I mean weren't we supposed to accompany Shadow? Why not just
hop on the train and go with him? I hate it when we don't go by train,
or at least we should have picked up somebody, but not left Shadow like
that!
We did, and returned only the three of us. But really folks, it's not
the same. Mom even came for our walk with us, but it was no fun. Shadow
should have been there, and I made that clear. I returned right after I
had done my small business.
And today Chris is just sitting at the PC. I'll at least see if I can
get some yummy fish from her, I think she owes that to me after this
mysterious behaviour!
Woofwoofwoof! And I want Shadow and Chris and mom, hear me! Cheers,
Hapoo.

Another train adventure

Hi all:
Sorry it's been too long. I just wanted to let you know that this
morning Chris rearranged her corridor. All of a sudden she took all her
jackets inside the living room, and the boxes for her shoes and my
grooming tools and that stuff. Then she harnessed me up and we went to
the train station. There we met a nice old lady and the neighbour's boy,
Theresa's brother. At the central station we had not much time to work,
but a lady helped us catch our next train, where I showed Chris an empty
seat. After a good long train ride, during which I got pets from a
little baby boy, we walked out on the platform.

There I didn't find a bench, so a lady directed us, and I pulled and
found one for Chris. I guess the weather was colder than she expected,
because she put her feet very close to me. Yes Chris, fur is not only
good for shedding, but also for warming your feet.

By that time I got it that we were picking up Shadow. He usually arrives
pulling a suitcase on weels behind him. So I looked out for any such
thing I could see, but it took a while till he finally showed up. I got
up to greet him, but Shadow, as conservative as ever, didn't let me lick
his hand for a good hello.

We then went outside for me to do a small business, and then inside for
Chris and Shadow to eat something. Then back on another train and into
my favourite central station. We had just arrived on the platform when
our small train pulled in. At home the sister who is visiting picked us
up and took us home. I got to go for a short Hapoo walk in the rain, and
then we went inside. O, we now have a brand new entrance door for
ourselves, Chris and I, and Shadow of course, when he is here.

It's cool that Shadow is back, Chris is so happy when he is around!
Cheers, Hapoo.

To a new reader

Hi David:
<woofwoofwoof> I'm soooooo excited, finally some nice person has left me
a comment <woo-oo-oo-oof>
You know, I am indeed a cool and very important woofer! I am what they
call a guide dog. When I am on duty I wear a harness and show Chris many
things she cannot see. I have even memorized routes in our local train
station she wouldn't find without me anyway.
I am a proud Hovawart, a breed that is not yet recognized by American
standard setters in terms of breeding. But the breed exists, as I can
prove. And I am a mighty barker, that is for sure!

Talking about the tiny dog - well he has left with Sister and her
daughter. But I'm fine with that. I thought the house is getting quiet
now, but Hapoo don't think, humans are not realy predictable!
Just this afternoon, o what a fine thing, mom returned. But I was only
allowed to greet her quietly and with good manners.
Then soon after mom's great arrival a man came. I had seen him a few
times before, but I don't care about him much. I barked at him, but
Chris made me touch her hand and praised and praised, until I left him
alone and barked no more.
And in the afternoon, btw, me, Chris and the friend from the church went
for a long long walk in the heat, and then the two had lunch outside.
Chris says she has defrosted a meal that Shadow has prepared. And she
loves it when he cooks.
By the way, David, if you want to find out more about me, just work your
way through the archives. You will hopefully agree with me that Chris
has some really strange things about her.
Have a good day everybody, wherever you sleep or awake, cheers, the
Hapoo barker.
P.s.: Bones are always yummy, David!!!

My long walk

Hi all:
This afternoon we finally set off for a walk, just Chris and I. We left
the tiny dog at home, because we were walking along the street. She
doesn't want to hold two flexible leashes in her hands, so when we walk
along the street, the tiny dog has to stay at home. And wow, we walked
for a really long time! At frst I thought we are returning soon. But
when I saw we did not, then I started sniffing everything and exploring
as far as the leash gave room. And Chris says that walk was nice,
because she walked nice and fast.

In the evening, however, we sat down and Chris played with the tiny dog.
Sister and her daughter weren't there, so Chris takes us both out
usually. The tiny dog is so tiny that hecan play tug with Chris' arm.
She says it doesn't hurt. And he is also so well-mannered that he will
stop immediately when you tell him to. I can sit patiently until it's
just too much. Then I get up and put my head under Chris' free arm. And
then I get pets and scratches, too.
Well finally we were taken out, and just guess what I saw! A cat cat
cat! Tiny dog thinks they play with him, just because he has had a
foster cat who grew up with him. She also taught him how to clean his
face in a catly manner, so all cats are like his play-mate from
childhood. I wanted to go race after the cat. Chris is not stupid, she
recognizes there's a cat around somewhere from the way I walk. So we
returned, put the tiny dog inside the house and walked along the street
for a bit again, until I thought I had enough.
Cool how I can show Chris that I want to return. And for a snack I got
cheese that had gone bad. I love it, it's nice Chris doesn't. And I
know, I also have a fresh meat bone or two stored in the fridge, maybe
for tomorrow.
Allright, dinner's in my tummy, so I better go into my digestive
sleeping mode.
Cheers, Hapoo.

Another letter to Shadow

Dear Shadow:
Today is what you humans call your birthday.
Strange - not too long ago I spied on you and found out it was Chris'
birthday. You were planning to walk me in the morning, so Chris could
sleep late. Sorry, I thought I should give her my own present by barking
until she was awake earlier than the alarm clock. So she got up and
walked me <heehee>
But thanks so much, as a reward I was taken to the beach and taken into
the terrible moving water <rrrrrrr>

So I hope your birthday is fun. You and Chris talked for quite a while,
right? And she told you what your present was! Is it something to eat?
May I, please please, share?

But here's on a more serious note:

Do you remember when and where we first met? A few weeks after I had
settled in with Chris, she took me for a train ride in the evening, and
we arrived at a train station. Next thing I knew was she being hugged
and kissed by another stranger I had never seen. But that wasn't all,
her sister took us with her, and I met my friend for the very first
time, her dog. But back then we didn't run too much.

The three of us went into a hotel and walked through the large city the
following days. And once you and I were both trying to make Chris avoid
a pole and smacked her right into it. Hahaha, and you blame yourself for
it, just go ahead!

You are also to blame for the various stays of mine in kennels. Chris
wants to see you somewhere far away, so she never takes me, but puts me
in the kennel instead. Okay I won't complain, the kennel is fine, but I
wonder how travelling with Chris would be!

Once, however, and thank you so much for that, you and Chris left me in
the corridor late one evening with two huge packets of fresh minced
beaf. You realized that heavenly fortune after I had finished one
packet. You could've stayed away longer, the secound would have been
equally delicious!

You never like it that I have to be tied outside certain stores, and my
barking makes you nervous. I thank you for that, so I do! And I
lovetravelling to pick you up, becase that means fun and running around.
I hate dropping you off, because that means Chris is sad and will go
play with her computer forever.

But happy birthday anyway and many licks, Hapoo.

To Shadow

Dear Shadow:
I think it is time I write something to you, now that you have been in
our lives for almost four years - your time with Chris is just a week
longer than mine with her, so that makes us equal partners.
Ah I hear you say, no dog is equal partners with a human - let's not
argue about that. Let's just assume it is that way, allright?

And by the way, we do have quite a few things in common, things you
might not be aware of.

We both think Chris is a louzy cook. You think so because you have never
seen her prepare a good tasting dinner for yourself - except maybe
tomato sauce of the simplest kind and cheap pasta. But when it comes to
rice, she fails badly. I think so because she never makes me any good
smelling delicious meat dish. The only thing she prepares for me is
plane rice when my stomach is sick, or Hapoo biscuits.

We both considder each other rivals for Chris' attention. I think it is
unfair that you are allowed into the kitchen with her, and I have to lie
in the doorway to make sure I can view the scene. You can even go
through the kitchen into the bedroom and better and meaner yet - share
the bed with her! O the heavens would fall down thundering on me if I
tried to jump on her bed!

And you think it is not fair that I can be with Chris when you cannot,
and that she still sometimes sits on the floor with me, strokes or hugs
me, or checks my paws.

She buys presents for the two of us. She will sometimes give into my
begging and pulling and go through the Hapoo store with me and end up
buying something more or less useful. And she will go into the huge book
store with you, select books for herself that you help her evaluate, or
just wait for you to have a blast. And she will buy you things you like.

We do have our things to share among us, though with Chris closely
monitoring. I can take the chance and catch a lick on your hand in a
moment you aren't careful. And you can slip me a piece of your saussage
when I am a good girl and Chris gives permission. I have accepted you
into the pack, I will guide Chris following you through narrow shop
aisles. And I will patiently wait while you are shopping for clothes.
You do pity me when I am in pain, or when I have to stay outside of a
store. You even take my side and walk out of a store when I am not
welcomed. And I do thank you for that. Trouble is I can't lick you or
bug you for pets, because you don't ike it. It is hard to show you my
affection, believe me!

You even walk me when it is raining, so Chris doesn't need to go out
into the wet. I think she is the true star of it all - she says and I
do; she suggests and you considder.

Should I continue in my next ramble with memories of things that you and
I did together or did not together? But for now I'll go and see if Chris
gives my my Hapoo food, licks from Hapoo.

Part two

Hi all:
Here am I with part two of our journey. This time my friend the outside
dog is the main character. The next day we went to the pet store again -
the nice spaceous one - and after a lot of looking around we bought a
head halter harness. The bad thing about this was that I had to act as
fitting model, which I didn't like after a while. But Chris says I did a
good job given all the stress. I don't like it when a stranger puts
things on me - I even dive out of my harness when mom tries to strip it
over my head <mischievous grin>

For those who don't know: the head halter is a device that gives a human
more controll of the dog's head. The leash is linked from under the nose
to the person's hand. If dog wants to disobey, person can very caerfully
pull that end and refocus the dog to another direction. And generally,
dog won't pull so much on leash. However, the other end of the leash
should always be connected to a collar, because the head halter is not
for out of reflex leash pulls - in fact, it could injure dog badly.

Then Chris and sister also bought two bags of treats. So when we arrived
at home, sister got the outside dog and put the head halter on him. But
she told Chris to walk him, so she could watch. Chris let me off my
leash to run. At first I thought it was play time, and the clicks she
was making with her tongue were meant for me - but instead she delivered
treats out of my bait bag to sister's dog. Allright, so I stopped
barking and just ran around Chris and the outside dog in circles quietly
while they were doing a training unit.

My friend was very calm as soon as he had the head halter on him fitted
perfectly. Chris first did a few sits and ups with him. And when he did
a sit nice and fast, he got a tongue click and a food. Reminds me of my
first clicker days. And then they walked a few steps, the dog not
pulling much, thus earning another tongue click and treat. They didn't
work for long, and then my friend and I were allowed to play. But after
a break he was called to Chris again. And boy was she proud when he came
tail wagging at the sight of the leash and head halter! They did another
training session just to remember, me just lying still. I had given up
the hopes of earning a click and treat for his good behaviours. But the
rest of the evening was free, just sister walked my friend with the
normal leash and head halter as instructed by Chris, and she was
surprised by the result she got. Looks like Chris is a good dog trainer,
eh?

The next day Chris packed the bag after she had helped sister prepare
another salad. She got ready to leave, put the suitcase and myself into
the car, only to find out that sister could not find the key for the
gate. She searched for so long that we missed our train and I was called
out of the car again. That was strange, I thought they would leave me
with the sister, so I didn't want to go back upstairs.

But we, Chris and I, did take another train later, and I was a good girl
all the while. We changed trains with two nice assistants, and at our
home station another sister waited for us with her little dog. We
walked home, and Sister even accompanied us on the dog walk with the
tiny dog. Boy was I tired when I was finally in my house, fed and ready
to sleep!

There we are, now you know all about our exciting trip. But I have more
to tell you, so keep checking in!
Cheers, Hapoo.

Our little trip

Hi all:
Told you, we'd be going somewhere! Chris packed my blanket into her
suitcase, and a bit of food and a few yummy treats - undoubtedly a sign
that this time she'd take me <yippeeeeeee>
We left quite early in the morning and arrived at Sister's around noon.
I immediately went and played with my friend, the outside dog, after I
arrived, while Chris carried her suitcase. Then she called me upstairs.
I immediately ran to where we had slept the time before - and fell down
on what used to be the Nephew's matrace. The previous time we had
visited, te nephew had slept on the floor with us, and I was allowed to
lie with him on his bed, because he said he wanted me to. See, I'm a
smart woofer, I remembered!

And then outside we went again. But this time Chris didn't play ball
with us, but sat down in one corner of the yard with the sister, a
bucket full of carots by her. She gave me one to chew on, which was nice
- but a bucket - no thanks! To be fair, she did occasionally throw the
ball for my friend and me. He always gets the ball and I just bug him to
get it out of his mouth and have Chris throw it. I just love running!

Just before they were finished with the carots, in the early evening,
the husband came. And by the way, I didn't need to eat al the carots,
the Sister froze them or something of that sort. And as always - while
they were having supper, I waited on my blanket outside in the corridor.
I am not allowed into their kitchen or living room, but they leave the
dor open, if the weather is not too cold.

On Wednesday after Chris and the sister had cleaned and frozen beans, we
went into a mall. That was cool, for I could show off all I had learnt.
Chris says I did a good job. We went into a huge pet store, where Chris
bought me a new blanket for travelling. My current one had worn out, so
she says. She even left it at the sister's.

Chris got to hold a bird on her arms. But that bird was strangely calm -
he didn't fly much or anything, he just sat there and munched on his
snack ball - if birds can munch at all that is. Chris says both he and I
were cool and calm.

Part two follows soon, just keep waiting!
Cheers, Hapoo.

Some quick news

Hi all:
Here's something I wanted to share with you before I am leaving to go
see the one sister with Chris tomorrow.
This afternoon it was clear, we were travelling, for even my blanket was
taken from the basement right into the bedroom, where the suitcase is
lying on the floor. And some Hapoo food came along, followed by a few
good smelling treats.
Then suddenly Chris got dressed and told me to wait in the corridor,
while I saw our friend from the church place come in. But instead of
taking me for a walk, the two of them left on their own, me in the
basement, and even all doors locked, so I couldn't let myself out!
Allright, Mom was there, which is certainly better than nothing. But
then the sister - yet another one - the one who's here with the little
niece, came and they unloaded the car. Well they forgot to close the
outside door, so I took my chance and ran.
Mom got all scared and started walking our usual Hapoo walk route, but I
was nowhere. Sister took the car ad went to the church, where heard
somebody whistling. I went to check, and there was the car. Door open,
and me inside the car. Allright, they got me back, fine! But I thought I
should go for a walk with Chris and the friend who is usually in and
around the church. Instead I found them coming back with groceries from
the supermarket! I think they had a good time, because they were
laughing and joking.
Cheers, Hapoo.