Monday, November 28, 2005

The week part two

The next day started with a nice Hapoo route. The only
distraction was the other dog walking ahead of us. I had no time to do
my business, until Chris walked ahead with me. I mean how are you
supposed to concentrate on the necessary things when another dog can
sniff things you would miss out on if you didn't focus hard? And then
came the stuff that would be our routine for the next few days - human
breakfast, upstairs into our room for a dash and then downstairs into
the work room. Everybody sat on comfortable couches in a semi-circle,
only Chris sat in a chair. And then there was the weelchair man I was
not allowed to greet, unfortunately. He always brought his own chair.
And then Chris did a lot of talking, folks talked back to her, and then
she continued talking. After a while she separated the people into
groups and walked back and forth between them with me. After lunch and a
little brea the same thing continued, but then Chris was called out. O
and outside there was another woofer - how cool!

I also saw a lady and a man. I remembered them somehow, Chris says
they're my very first parents and kindergarten supervisors. I
immediately went for a pet from the man. He liked that, he says I was a
daddy's girl anyway. The lady gave Chris a bag full of things. It sure
smelled good. Then Chris took off my leash and told me I could stay
downstairs if I wanted. But I went upstairs with her to put the gooddie
bag away. Back downstairs we all went outside. The other woofer's name
is Askan, he's a Hovawart like me, but blonde and quite stubborn. I had
to woof at him several times. But we had a blast outside - we ran and
played and played and chased each other across the meadow, it was such
fun. And when Chris called me back I received so so many cookies from
the lady. She called me baby and mouse and said I looked happy and
healthy. Hey lady, what do you think? I *am* happy and healthy, and
Chris is just wonderful! I liked them, they're calm andkind to both of
us. Too soon the lady called Askan back and they took us up to the
house. I didn't want to go in, and Askan didn't want to go away.

I mean, what waited for me inside was the boredom of a nap while Chris
was talking.

The following two days were pretty much the same. Morning walk,
breakfast, boring talk, and then outside with one of the three gentlemen
of the group, back inside, more coaching for Chris, lunch, another walk,
coaching, coffee time, walk and dinner. And then Chris always found
something to do. But one day she stayed upstairs in the room. She
must've been tired! After her long shower she lay down in bed and slept
until the morning. Of course, she fed me, too!

I'll tell you about the weekend in my final part of the post - weekend
was cool, too!
Cheers, Hapoo.

Eventful week part one

Hi all humans and woofers:
Did you miss me allright? Of course you did, otherwise you wouldn't have
this bit of entertainment on your monitors <grins> And because you've
missed me, I have so much to tell you.

Chris had slept on the couch in the living room for two nights, and I
could hear the suitcase being moved. And because she brought some of my
Hapoo food, I knew I was going with her, what a joy! One night she got
up way earlier than she usually does. She turned on music and later the
light, so I woke up. Then she prepared some coffee and packed a bit more
into the suitcase. And then she and I went upstairs to wake up mom. I
usually run into her bedroom and squeek at her in a rather quiet but
high pitch. She didn't move at first, but then Chris told me to try
again, and the mom woke up and said her good morning to me.

We then went downstairs, and after breakfast Chris got ready and then
put my signal jacket and the leash for work on me. Mom put the suitcase
and the other bag in the car, and then all the three of us went for a
really early morning walk. Chris said I had better do my business. And I
feel most relaxed when mom comes with us. I'm used to mom going along.
When she does, everything is as it should be, and I can relax and run
and play.

Mom took us to the train station. There were only a few people there,
and the train was already there. So mom came with us and found us a nice
place where all of us, including the suitcase had enough space. Then mom
said goodbye, and soon after the train started moving.

When we are on that train, we usually get off at a certain time. I know
when that is aproximately, so I started telling Chris when to get off or
at least start collecting our things. But she didn't even move. She just
told me to ie down and keep it calm. We stayed on that train forever,
until finally a nice man helped us get off. He even carried Chris'
suitcase down a flight of steps and then up another one. I thought we
had some time to play now, but instead it didn't take long until another
train arrived and the nice man helped us get on. Chris says he even gave
us a very comfortable seat.

When we had to get off that one, another nice man helped us outside. A
lady met us and the man told us to wait. Apparemtny Chris had forgotten
her purse, and she was really grateful when the man brought it. Still no
time to play, for I had to work. I took Chris straight from the platform
outside, although I had never been to that train station. And guess
what, she was real proud of me. I was, too, of course. Outside the lady
who had met us showed us to a bus. I got to sit between two rows of
seats, where it was nice and spacious. We drove quite a while, and then
finally, the lady showed Chris where I could run. There was a meadow,
and I jumped, rolled, played and left a present in the grass. On the way
back I ran up every set of stairs I found and tried to glance into
doors, which were closed, unfortunately. Finally I ran up the right
stairs and very patiently waited for Chris to arrive and put me on
leash. We went into a nice smelling and very warm dining room, where
Chris said hello to a few people. Then we had to wait a while until we
were shown to our room.

O man what a room! It was really large, had three beds, three chairs,
bedside tables, windows, even one balcony, one clauset and one bathroom.
Now here's my question: Why would one person need three beds and stil
not allow me on them? She slept in one half of a double bed and said if
Shadow was there he'd have gotten the other half - he wasn't there, so
why not me I wonder!!!

We didn't stay there for too long, not much time for me to take a nap.
We went downstairs into the dining room, where the tables were
re-arranged. More people had gathered, and we were two dogs - quite
unfortunately the other one is a female, too. All of a sudden Chris tied
my leash around the leg of the table, got up and started talking. She
walked around, talked to everybody and everybody listened to her. I soon
noticed that Chris was mainly speaking in English. Apparently the folks
there didn't know it, and they wanted Chris to help.

After human dinner we dog owners went for a woofer route. I don't know
what the others did, but Chris must've been tired. She took me upstairs
to our wonderful room, fed me, unpacked a few things and then
disappeared in the bathroom. I know that ritual of hers - once she's in
the bathroom, she won't come out for quite some time. She loves that
artificial rain thing she calls shower and she sometimes forces on me
<rrrrr> And then she went to bed and slept almost immediately.
Cheers, Hapoo.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Guess who has a new toy!!!

Hi all:
Hapoo's got a new toy <jump-woofwoof>
Today we went with the cousin and her car to a place I had never been to
before. There were two ladies, and they put a box of stuff in front of
us after they had checked a few papers Chris had given them. She just
took out something and they said it was okay. Mom closed it and then one
of them left. The other said I was so nice - I lay where Chris put me
quiet and still like my angel self. Then the lady told Chris about her
golden retriever lady, who doesn't want to go through the balcony door
when it's only opened a tiny bit. And then Chris showed her the nice
clicker thingie. Then the other lady came back and told Chris she didn't
need to pay any extra money. I didn't know she had to pay even for
things that come in a package! She said we went to the costumers office
or something like that - whatever! And because she was so happy about
that news, Chris made me give a thanks bark.She says the ladies did that
because I am Chris' guide dog. Cool if you're one, I love my job!

Then we went to another store, where mom bought many boxes of tials -
how boring - and another where Chris bought children's toys, she says
for the folks who want to stdy English with her next week. Then we went
to yet another store, where mom bought a jacket and Chris bought herself
some sweets for the journey. I don't know anything about a journey, the
suitcase hasn't been moved in thebedroom yet.

Back home we went for the Hapoo walk and then came back. Chris got
another package box from mom with cow ears for me inside and something
else. But mom said that something else was for the tiny dog of my
sister's - allright whatever, as long as the edibles are for me. Then
she opened the big box from the ladies' costumer office. Nothing in
there smelled interesting, and she brought only one item into the living
room. She built it up finally, but it still didn't smell interesting.
Then she took it into the basement and took out some of my food. When
Chris brought in that item, it was just a globe sitting on a globe
holder, and all smelled like food. I tried to roll the globe around -
yes I can knock it over with one hit of my paw - but no treats appeared.
The knock over trick works with my treat ball and my buster cube, but
not with this magical toy. I sniffed all around, but still no food. Then
Chris had me sit and give her a paw. Like with my squeeky ball, I hit on
the top of the toy. My squeeky ball squeaks when I do that, but this toy
didn't show any reaction. I hit hard and hit everywhere, and o joy, some
food started rolling out. Trouble is I didn't know where and how that
happened. After a while Chris sat me down in front of this delicious toy
and made me give her a paw, holding her hand under a kind of bar. I
lifted my paw high but didn't want to touch that bar. So Chris put my
paw on it, and somehow I managed to press it down <rattle> yippee, food!
I still continued to hit the roof of the globe violently before making
my paw slide down on that precious bar. So Chris did something strange -
she put her head on the globe. Now I won't hit her head with my paws, so
I had to try hard to target the bar itself. Looks a bit like a
doorhandle, I'm sre grandpa Dicker would've loved pressing that bar
down. He just never was a good food eater, so I might have managed to
get all the treats and let him do the work <grins>
I think this new toy of mine is wonderful. I will continue staring at
it, and running after Chris when she fills it up so I can hit and play.
Cheers, Hapoo.

Friday, November 11, 2005

My cool events

Hi all:
Today I went shopping with Chris and mom. Not again you might say, but I
did a few cool things.
We first started out into the post office. When there are many people,
it's quite narrow, but I find the counter now. When mom isn't around I
ignore the end of the line and go right up to the counter. Counters are
a nice thing to find, because that means a click and treat. But today
mom was there, so we could follow her. While mom and Chris were doing
something, I discovered a man looking at me. I glanced at him but then
remembered that I was in harness, so looked back at Chris. I repeated
this, until the man commented that I was a nice flirt. Of course I am, I
love it - and after all, Chris says that that's what women/bitches are
there for.
On the way out there was a woman standing at a high table. I didn't
notice her being busy. So I walked under the table to give Chris enough
room to pass the lady. That was the fastest way out of the post office.
The lady said something, but I didn't care. Later mom told Chris that
the lady had been writing something when I forced my way through. Sorry
dear, didn't see that - and Chris had told me to find the exit, so I
did! And the cool thing was that the lady didn't even notice me, because
I was walking under the table. So she thought Chris was really rude. I
think mom told her that it wasn't Chris' fault. But I think I was smart
- I walked under the table to get Chris out of the post office fast
<woof>

I also love the farmacy - the ladies there are really nice and they
always say: "So that's all you're buying for today?" And they always
make friendly comments about me.

In the supermarket we walked and walked, and at one point Chris tried to
show me that I can walk on the right side, too. But I hate that, because
it is hard to look out for anything Chris might run into. So I walk on
the left to keep her clear of things. Only in the streets I walk away
from the cars, because I think that's safer. And on the way out I again
walked under the belt thing, so Chris had more room. But this time the
harness hit the frame of it, and Chris made me rework the spot twice.
What a pity, I love taking shortcuts! But here's for the reward - when I
dd well received a treat.

And after we had come back, I received a wonderful bone. It was frozen,
but yummy yummy yummy!
Now it's time to sleep before we go on the evening walk, cheers, Hapoo.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Crazy shopping

Hi all:
Yesterday mom, Chris and I went shopping. O boy, it looked like all the
world was shopping at the same time. At first Chris held on to mom,
because she couldn't hear where mom was going, and often my view on mom
was blocked. We looked at various items, but then it was too narrow for
all three of us to pass, so I had to guide Chris all on my own. I
managed very well, I didn't run Chris into anybody, and thus managed to
impress her once more. And when they went for their routine coffee and
food break, mom left and Chris and I occupied a table. Then we had to
stand in a line for our food - I have never seen a line of hungry people
as long as this. After the break, even though I hadn't worked all that
much, I was still a little tired, so Chris left the harness in the
shopping cart.
Owever, on the way to the car we suddenly stopped, and Chris again
started talking to folks I had never seen. I soon found out that they
didn't know what my signal jacket was there for. And sure enough, there
was a little girl interested in me. Of course I let her pet me, and I
was a good girl. Chris even put me in the harness and let the girl close
the belly strap. And then she showed how she usually holds on to my
handle. I expected her to say the forward command, but she didn't. She
later explained that the little one was only five years old, and I
would've pulled her off her feet with my strong pull. So the girl opened
the belly strap without me moving, and Chris took the harness off again.
And then I got to shake paw in hand with the girl, which she seemed to
like. I, too, I have to admit, I love little kids that just want to pet!

Today Chris is just working again, working working working! Allright,
I'll sleep and wait till she gives me a good treat - or maybe the treat
ball or the kong? We also had two get and give units. In the morning I
again had to give her the right object out of signal jacket, leash and
collar, and just now on our afternoon walk I finally figured out that
Chris wanted me to give her back my rope quicker than usual, so she
could throw it earlier. And that's cool for sure. But once I had gotten
that, I no longer wanted to play tug. So it's either tug and hold on to
the rope forever, or give fast and only play fetch, you choose, old
girl! But then for a nice run we went into the field and Chris threw
stones for me - that's a lot of fun.
Cheers, Hapoo.

Friday, November 04, 2005

The final part

Hi all:
This is the final part of our action week, but equally exciting, I
promise! As I had said in my previous post, we did get visitors. Mom
arrived, and I sang in order to apropriately welcome her. And mom was
equally happy to see me. The weather was really nice, so me and my buddy
stayed outside. Soon Chris came with the little girl that arrived, too.
She liked me more than my buddy, because I am calmer. Ad that day Chris
fed me much earlier than usual, which meant another journey. I know that
routine.

The next very early morning Chris let me out to run with my buddy and do
my big business. During that time she got ready and came back out with a
really tiny bag of things she wanted to take. That didn't include my
harness. That is strange - no harness! But soon, when the sister's
husband started to pack the car, Chris called me inside, because a lot
of realy really yummy smelling food was brought outside, and I think I
would have gotten into big trouble.
I was relieved when I found out that I was put into my signal jacket,
and the short leash came, to. Chris says that in the car she and I got
the best possible place - she sat in the front seat by the sister's
husband, and I lay in the foot space once again. We were seven humans,
one dog and loads of food and just a few tiny cases filled with stuff
for the humans to wear. After a bit of driving we arrived at a place,
and already people came to greet us. And a cat was tere, too! Chris made
sure I stayed with her, that's for sure. And there were also kids who
wanted to pet me - yippee, pets!

Then we went into the church place. They all look alike - long benches
with smal aisles, typical smell, one person talks and talks, and there's
this instrument that sounds from above our heads. And sometimes Chris
and all others will get up and say things, or just stad and listen or
sing. When she stands up I have trouble staying down, because I always
think it's time to leave the place. But Chris says I was pretty good
this time. Only this time there were two children, and the front lady
sprinkled water on them - silly girl - and that's what Chris calls
ceremony <tsss> I think I'l go out in the rain for a ceremony! We sat
beside the sister's husband, who took us outside, too.

Almost all of us gathered around the car then. Only mom walked the way
we rode. We arrived at a place Chris calls castle. Sister and Chris and
I explored the interior - we walked through all the rooms, Chris loked
at the fire place and at doors. And when we came out into the main
corridor, there was a man who told Chris some things about the
staircase, so we had to walk up these round narrow steps with a handrail
only on the left. Chris took my leash into her right and had me walk on
the left side, while she held on to the rail with her left hand. And I
was a good girl, I didn't pull! And on the way down I had to be equally
careful. I was walking n the narrower side, but Chris had to walk slow,
and I was not to pull hard, and I managed well after one try.

Then the man and we went outside where the sister's husband joined. We
walked out into the garden of the castle, where Chris let me run off
leash, ad I could finally do my business. And then we were called in for
lunch, myself hiding under the table.

After lunch we walked upstars to the rooms and Chris occupied a bed for
her. I could sleep in the space between the wall and the bed - how nice!
Back down and outside, the nice man wanted to take me for a walk while
Chris wanted to help unload the car. But I didn't want to go with him, I
wanted to stay with Chris. He let me, and Chris didn't need to help
unload anyway. Instead the nice sister showed her some landmarks in the
house, so she could find her way on her own, and with my help, that's
understood. Because I leash guided her like a pro, she says! I like
routes, I like patterning work, and I love showing off! I found our room
without a problem, and all the doors she usually walked through!

We spent the afternoon outside - first going for a nice long offleash
walk up a hill and through a field with mom, and then talking at the
outside wall of the castle area. Then the other sister came, the one I
usually bark at very loudly. But I found she isn't al that bad, and even
greeted her.
Sister said I would not manage to jump this wall, but I did manage,
haha! First sister and Chris stole some coffee, after the husbad had
given a hint, and then t was cake and coffee time anyway. Then we walked
upstairs to the room for my water bowl, and there was this girl who made
it her task to watch me drink water. I like her, she always gave me a
pet when she passed. And the cousin's little daughter, too - I like
them!

At night Chris wanted to et me run off leash, but there was a cat I
wanted to chase, so that was over. I also had to stay with the bark
sister for a while, because Chris and sister and another lady I really
hadn't sdeen before, wanted to go somewhere. The kids had fun telling me
to sit and stuff, but I was happy when Chris was back. Then we had
supper, and more of the food that was brought by car was eaten, and
people talked and talked.

Chris says she went to bed eary and made sure the kids in the room
slept, too. The morning was much calmer than the night, and pretty soon
all the seven of us went back to the sister's house agan. There I was
given some run time with my buddy again, while Chris packed the big bag
and the small, and we went real home to mom's and Chris' house with a
car wth only mom, the cousin, her daughter, Chris and I.
O boy was I happy to be back home - I went for a major run with mom and
Chris, and then it was sleep time! I love my new blanket, it's already
in my Hapoo house, and it's nice and warm and sft <woofwoofwoof>
Cheers, Hapoo.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

More adventures

Hi all:
Things went on pretty quiet around here, but something happened every
day. On one day we went shopping, and I was allowed to go into one of
the stores without any problem. Another day in the afternoon, after
Chris and the nephew had done all his homework, we went to the shopping
center again. First we went into the food store for humans, where they
didn't look at food, but at cases, and a strange bicycle, on which two
people can sit. And then the humans had cake and ice-cream, and as
always, I got a bowl of water. Finally we went into this huge Hapoo
store. I did well, didn't sniff any of the foods or so, guided Chris
with some bouncing excitement in my steps. But when I saw around one
particular corner to Chris' right, I spotted a cat. Chris didn't notice
that, so I managed to block her from walking and stick my nose out
towards the cat, which was sitting on the floor. It spat at me and fled.
I tried to go after it, but Chris' grip on the handle was tight. But n
my defence I have to say that I didn't jump, I just pulled harder for
one second or so. And then sister got between me and the cat, so I had
to continue walking.

Do you know what we bought? We bought a nice big blanket and a lot of
Hapoo treats. But I didn't get to eat them, they were put into the case
sister had just bought in the other store. And I never managed to get
that cat after all!

And one day we stayed outside most of the time, but it was warm and
beautifully sunny. Chris and the nephew went outside with us and played
ball with me and my buddy. Was I tired at night! One other time she gave
me a wonderful massage, and one time nephew and I played with a cow ear.

Once Chris closed her suitcase, and I thought we were travelling. But we
weren't. She just took the suitcase and the backpack and moved them to
the upstairs corridor, where the rooms of nephew and sister and the
husband are. I think I will sleep there tonight. And I think somebody's
coming to visit today - Chris and sister have been spending most of the
day in the kitchen preparing great smelling stuff.
Cheers for now and keep looking out for updates, Hapoo.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

A strange trip

Hi everybody:
I told you, we did a lot in three days, so here's what came next - and I
tell you that I've never done anything similar before.

The morning of that day was uneventful - I had gotten a sleeping place
in a kitchen that was no good for scavenging. I mean there were all
kinds of good smells, but I couldn't get paws or teeth on them. So I
slept there without the chance of getting in trouble. In the morning I
was let out to play with my buddy, and then back inside and so on.
Finally I noticed Chris was running around. And when she got dressed and
took out my harness, I knew we were heading for some place very soon.

When the doorbell rang, Chris was just putting on my signal jacket, so I
didn't dare to bark loud, like I always do. Instead I walked to the door
on leash in my best manner possible. And when Chris opened the door, I
saw a man I can't remember having seen. But Chris tells me I once saw
him at the time when both Shadow and I were very new in her life. I
hopped into the car - another big comfy one - and looked out of the
window. O and then we never left the car for a long long time! We drove
and drove to escape the rain, as the driver explained to Chris, but we
never really managed. And while we were going along, Chris and the
driver talked and talked. We once got out of the car to take a little
walk, but then they didn't seem to like the place, so we drove on for
another bit. And when we got off the car then, we walked until we
discovered a place to sit and where the humans could have cake and
coffee. I got a bowl of water, and I finished it in one go and then took
a nap under that bench. Then we took another walk, and then another long
long car journey. I mean it's allright to go by car for long, but I am
just wondering what this was all for - just for coffee? Humans can
indeed be strange!

We arrived at the sister's place, but only her husband was there. Chris
and the driver said goodbye, and then he drove off. I just went into the
house - and when the sister was back not long after, I played with my
buddy.

The next day the only thing we did was go shopping, and I was allowed
into the store without any problem. Chris says I did a good job. And I
really loved working again! I didn't sniff anybody or anything, but I
was a good girl and held my tail high <wagwagwag>

In the afternon I played with the buddy woofer again, but during play I
bit Chris' arm, which she didn't like at all. She told me to be careful
or else she'd quit playing. And then I am jealous of my buddy when Chris
pets him and not me. He always blocks me out when he wants a pet! I
don't think that's fair, so I jump around them and barkbarkbark. Chris
isn't stupid, so this morning she told my friend to sit and stretched
out a hand to pet me. And she has blocked him from bothering me a few
times, too. That's cool, because after all Chris is my person. But it
looks like my buddy likes her, too, because he keeps coming and asking
for pets.

I was also let out into the grassy area, where I tossed and barked for
pleasure. I love grass for tossing and jumping, sniffing and digging!
I'm not supposed to dig there, but I can do the rest!

Well that's all for now, but I'll make sure I keep you all updated,
cheers, Hapoo.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Here's part two

Alright, I have finished sleeping, so here's the second part of my day
and what followed the next morning.

After the Shadow lady and her English man had taken Chris' bag somewhere
so nobody would steel it, Chris found a seat. At first she tried to
squeeze me under her chair, but I really didn't want to lie there. I
mean there was so much going on, I wanted to be able to either sleep or
take a good look around. Beside Chris' chair there was a bench that I
could lie under very comfortably. Only one of her former class-mates had
to climb over me to sit on that bench. And then after another little
while the money man came and sat beside Chris on another chair. They
first had drinks and then slowly one by one got food to eat. But of
course, I was to sleep under my bench and didn't receive a bite. As the
evening progressed, people at our table changed. The lovely lady came
and sat by us, and there were other people. They sat and talked with
Chris and the others, and some of them even gave me pets and talked to
me. Chris had other people hold my leash twice. Once everybody had
gathered around one spot to stare and smile into various cameras. The
space was too narrow for me to stand, so a lady took my leash. And then
the money man at our table got to hold the leash while Chris and another
lady went to the human busy rooms they call bathrooms. And after another
round of talks and pets Chris, the lovely lady and I left, after the
other lady had found Chris' bag and my harness. We walked a little way
and then found a taxi where I could sit in the back. And then when we
were at the lovely lady's house, we saw another little yappy dog. Her
owner says she doesn't like larger woofers like me, because she got
pinched in the nose by them twice. So we went into the house, put down
the bags and harness, and then went for a short night walk. And when the
lovely lady and Chris sat in the living room to have another drink, I
lay down and took a first nap. O boy, I was really tired, although I
didn't have to work much.

I was allowed to sleep in Chris' room - of course not on the bed, but on
the floor beside the bed, which was certainly funfunfun. N the morning
the two girls had breakfast - I mean I know that Chris can spend a long
time in the kitchen with Shadow or mom for breakfast, but this one was a
ritual or something of that. They had rolls and juice and coffee and
eggs... And when I thought they were finished, the lovely lady took
grapes, washed them and put them on the table for Chris and her to eat.
Only then was I taken out for my morning walk on the flexible leash.

That was a nice long walk, I have to admit, on a route I had never been
before. And I enjoyed all the lovely smells of the ground, the grass and
te flowers and bushes. We even walked to a kind of water. I think there
were birds there, but I wasn't allowed to chase them. I also saw a cat,
but Chris' grip on the leash was tight and I couldn't even launch a
really hard pull.

We came back in and just decided to take another rest, when the doorbell
rang. As soon as Chris got up from her chair, I dashed to the door like
an arrow and displayed my loud barking abilities. And when the door
opened - o how happy I was to see the sister! I howled and squeaked and
wined for her welcome, but Chris didn't apreciate that at all.

The sister came in and they sat down again. And then when they got up
and Chris got dressed, we stood on the stairs, got the camera staring
time and another talk. And then I was allowed in the back of the
sister's car.

And when we arrived - o joy - I saw my buddy the sister's dog. Chris let
me jump out of the car off leash, and I ran to see if the other dog
wanted to play with me. He did, and Chris even threw a ball for us. And
the nephew took her to the house and gave her a big hug. I think Shadow
doesn't mind that one, because Chris and the nephew like each other, but
not the way she and Shadow do.

The rest of the day was spent quietly. When I was let inside, I first
found something to smell that the sister's husband didn't want Then I
found a bucket that smelled lke meat, but wasn't supposed to stick my
nose in there. Then I saw the staircase where Chris usually has her
room, but was called downstairs. Chris said we wouldn't be sleeping
there this time, so she put my blanket down in the corridor, and went to
have coffee herself. We did go outside many times to play with the
sister's dog, and that was funfunfun, but apart from that we really took
it easy.
Cheers, Hapoo.