look, Ecuador and Iran!

Hello hello from the sunny place in the north.

I know when it is sunny, because those days Chris spends on the balcony
after lunch. Today was a very calm and quiet day anyway, because after the
morning walk Chris went back to bed and really slept for a couple more
hours. But then she got up, watched TV and finally took me out for the
afternoon walk. Then she stayed on the balcony and even took a nap there,
too. Chris must have been very very tired.

But what I wanted to tell you are two things.

In the mystery box the balls are flying again, the small and the large. The
large ones are connected with lots of noise, while the small balls are hit
using hand expansions, and people only cheer when the ball gets a break from
being beaten. Chris says they had a really really long match the other day,
longer than any match previously played, but she could not watch it, because
she was on the road with me, in my opinion the better alternative, which
Chris does not clearly contradict, because she too has to admit that we were
having a good time.

And finally, she has discovered something nice on the page that tells her
how many people read what I have to share, and where they are from. And she
was delighted to see that Iran has started reading again. She explained to
me, however, that in that place they cannot share what the world has to say
as easily as Chris and I can. I don't think I have to understand that, it is
just fun writing and knowing that somebody reads what I write.

But then she was also thrilled she found that somebody from Ecuador read my
ramblings. I don't know Ecuador, just like I don't know Iran, but Chris says
that Ecuador is where the gifted tennis family is from with Nicolás, her
favourite of them all, but his uncle Andres was a champion, and his cousin
Roberto is a talent among the juniors. If Nicolás has so many relatives, and
Chris knows them, then why don't I know them?

Oh, she says that is one of the mysteries the mystery box holds, for neither
does she know any of the relatives in person. Hot air, boring, Chris, for I
am sure if somebody has so many relatives, then I would find somebody to
play run or fetch or wrestle with.

Allright, time to nap, my food has been a meat meal this time, cheers,
Quito.

part two of the conquered land

Allright, here we go again.

The next morning Chris got up and ready, and then we walked out of the room.
I knew where the exit was, and so after a bit of hesitation she followed me.
However, we did not take the exit, but we found a staircase and walked into
a room, where Chris spotted somebody reading the newspaper and asked if he
could help her collect her breakfast. He did, and she says he was like a
parent to her. They taled a lot, and it appeared that he also knows the big
boss of hers, the tall man whom I like. The man left, and a lady arrived.
Chris seemed to be very friendly with her, too, and she made sure we were
both allright. After she had finished eating we went back to the room, where
Chris finished packing.

Then somebody knocked on the door, and there was yet another lady I did not
know. Chris invited her inside, finished packing and then put me on flexible
leash. We said goodbye to the friendly ladies, who had grown by the number
to three. I greeted every one of them and then walked back to Chris, and
then we left to stroll around the little tiny small streets without grass or
trees. Chris says this is because the place is so old and very narrow.

When we were back at the building, Chris harnessed me up, and the lady
communicated with her, like my beloved dog coach had not so long ago.
However, she did not talk about me, but instead she fed Chris information
about the surrounding, the essence of which Chris passed on to me as
commands and instructions. Both of the ladies said that I worked
marvelously, only at one point did I run over a curb and was made rework it.
The funnest part of the route came when Chris encouraged the instructor to
take a very narrow path instead of the official route. There were cherries
above their heads, and fresh green grass, and she let me run free, because
the path was really narrow, and i could not escape anywhere or get
distracted. O what a reward that was, I ran and jumped and promptly returned
when called. Only once there was a man on te other side of the fence cutting
flowers, and I barked at him. But when Chris continued on her way, i
preferred to follow her rather than getting in trouble with the man.
We arrived at the work building, walked around there a little more and then
walked back the route to the hotel. There the ladies had coffee and I got
water, and then we walked towards the work building again. And there we met
one of the friendly ladies who had gone to the beach with us the previous
week, not the one from yesterday, but the other one. She showed us around,
and of course, we met more interesting people who talked to Chris.

Then we left, walked a little more and then there was another strange man
with a strange car, into which I set my paws after having said farewell to
the instructor, a very calm and open lady. The driver again wasn't pleased
with me in the back seat, but Chris managed again to break his reservations,
and at the end he very readily helped her find the meeting point, from we
were picked up by an elderly assistant and taken to our platform after
having helped Chris buy a little food for the way. Chris and I boarded our
final train, on which we stayed forever.

She had purchased a tiny music box, with which she can even repeat what she
had said earlier on, and I can clearly hear the bell of my collar jingling
through that music box - how strange is that?
Well, the music box mainly played music, and there was one particular song
she kept repeating. We arrived at our home train station in beautiful
weather, were met yet another assistant and headded towards the streetcars.
However, the man informed Chris that we had to wait a long time for the next
train, and so she decided to take a taxi.

This time the strange car ride went very well, Chris and the man talked and
laughed, and he let us off at the right spot right at home. We immediately
went for a dot walk, and then we were back home. It was so great to see how
pleased Chris was with me.

I have to admit that the next morning, and even today I was very tired but
eager to walk and work. I just slept at work and that was it. I also heard
that Chris praised my readiness to find solutions in unexpected situations,
and that she loves it how eager I am to work. It's true, I hate to stop when
i am in the middle of working, just because Chris has to pick up nstructions
from the instructor. I just love running and speeding along

I think I will be having a good time with Chris all in all, this evening we
wrestled again after a long time, and I try not to jump on her or tear her
clothes. And she even brought out the rope for me to fetch, o what a joy!
Goodnight for now, Quito.

conquering new lands

Hi every reader,

I must tell you what we did the past days - it was so new and interesting!

One morning Chris let me get up really early. I always need a little moment
to wake up, so she left me alone, and we then went for the dog walk. Chris
had a different backpack on her shoulders this time, and instead of
continuing to work, we waited until a stranger arrived in his car.

Chris made me get inside. I am always reluctant to get in, I climb rather
than jumping. Chris says Hapoo always flew inside causing a major
earthquake, while I gently first put in my front paws and then the rest upon
her encouragement.

Chris says the stranger was not happy with me in the back seat, but she says
that I am not to sit in the front by her feet, because it could be dangerous
in case of a car accident. She says air-filled cushions come out crushing me
in such incident, and she wants me to remain healthy. I myself understand,
but the people sometimes don't.

Well after a while the stranger and Chris started talking, and then
everything was allright. He even took us into the train station, and they
tried to figure out something, but the man failed. So Chris simply turned
towards somebody passing by and asked them for help.

It was a nice woman, who agreed to help us from there. She took us on a
platform, and then we boarded a train. I got to lie down in a very nice and
spacious compartment, which was only occupied by one other lady. The three
chatted away, until the other one got up, and we remained there with the
friendly lady who had helped us. The lady had fun when Chris told her she
had seen this or that and that she had just broken her glasses yesterday.
Honestly, I have never seen the silly girl wearing glasses - nonsense!

Then Chris suddenly decided to get up and leave me alone. She went to a
little cabin behind our compartment, that's where humans do their business.
Unlike us dogs, they don't squat down on a grass patch to get rid of
internal waste, but they go into larger or smaller bathrooms. At home the
one has a shower and a clothes cleaner and more stuff to make Chris smell
different. But that one just had a sink and a waste container for humans.

When Chris came back, the lady and I greeted her at the door. I think it is
fun to wait until she comes back.

When we exited the train, the lady said goodbye, and another one came to
greet me very cheerfully. She just took us to the other side of the
platform, and not as I was hoping outside. So another train arrived, we took
that, too, and rode forever. But the space I had was good and the air was
nice and cool.

Finally outside we walked forever, accompanied by a lady who watched that we
took the right path, towards the beginning of the platform, where a man met
us and took us to yet another stranger's car, his car, as he was driving it.
When we stopped, Chris and he sorted out things, as a man opened her car
door and greeted her, followed by yet another one.

Then finally she and the car driver said goodbye, and she let me hop out,
put me on flexible leash and handed me over to one of her colleagues. That's
what they are, colleagues, although I have never seen them at home before.
Chris seems to like them both, and she says I behaved well on leash. We took
a nice long stroll around, until we went into the big building, upstairs
with the elevator and then into a room where my friend the dog walker
brought water for me, and the other one brought coffee for all of the
humans.

Then finally, there was somebody I knew, the nice lady I had seen a week
before, who was at the beach with us. She's great and very caring. The
humans settled down to talk and I slept and relaxed. When talking was over,
we changed rooms and then were asked into a separate room with another lady
who also seemed to like me. She and Chris talked more and more, and I found
out that she was the boss of the nice lady, and it is important that she
sees how important and valuable Chris can be for the team. And what about
me, I wonder?
Chris says I am important anyway, and if she is, so am I, there's no
question to that. Allright, I'm fine with that answer.
Then finally the nice lady took us for another walk, and then in her car to
the hotel where we were staying.

Chris sorted out a few things and had a phone call, before she fed me from
her hand, because she had forgotten a stable food bowl. Fine with me, as
long as I get food. Finally she went to bed and watched football and then
fell asleep with the mystery box still on. I don't mind, for at home she
often turns off the voice box in the middle of the night.

The adventures of the following day will be put into another email, I guess
you are tired from reading this far, right? Plus we have to go to work soon,
and Chris still has to change her smells, cheers, Quito.

another quick word

Hi and woofs very early in the morning:

Just before I leave I'll have to update you on a very extraordinary workday.

Chris and I went to work as usual, but soon she grabbed her jacket,
harnessed me up and we went downstairs with the boss, the boss lady that is,
and one of the English students of Chris'
We went by car, it was very warm, and the humans had loads of fun. I didn't,
i was happy when it was time to get out. Chris harnessed me up, and we went
on a quiet path with a few steps built in, just to annoy me. The other two
humans didn't stop at the steps, so I thought I didn't need to, either. But
Chris made sure I did. We walked across a park, and I wasn't allowed to play
or anything - too bad.
At one point Chris took off her shoes and socks, told me to stay right
there, and she left and walked further and further away from me. So I
thought I'd get up and sniff around, which was discovered by the other lady,
and so Chris told me to stay where I was - too bad. And when she returned, I
wanted to play, but she didn't want.

We walked some more, until the man discovered something like a little
platform that makes him fly high. That was fun to watch, so I, too, wanted
to jump high, but Chris stood calm and didn't let me play much, what a pity.
When we returned to work, I didn't know what the trip was all about, but
Chris says it was nice and the weather was fun.

From then on the day went normal, but when we returned home from work, near
the large crossroad I saw a lady approach us, so I slowed down. The lady
asked Chris if she could bring her a little joy, and Chris asked how she
liked to do so, and the lady told her she was the mom of one of the
colleagues. The lady gave Chris a strawberry, and she liked it a lot. Chris
says that was her first strawberry fresh from the garden this year. She made
me walk slowly for the rest of the route, so we could stay with the lady. I
soon got the setting, and when Chris made me run across the streetcar
tracks, I sood and waited to make sure the lady was with us. And the lady
had fun watching this. So did Chris, but she said I shouldn't be stopping in
the middle of the tracks. Well well, no train in sight, so calm down Chris!

At night the Spanish won their football, which made Chris happy. And I think
now we are off somewhere, but I don't know where to, yet.
I will tell you all about it when I find out.
Cheers, Hapoo.

the dog label

Hi every woof and poof:

Sometimes I am really really bouncng like one of Chris' beloved tennis
balls. Yesterday everyting was great in the morning, and then in the
afternoon, too. But when we went outside for the evening route, I ran and
ran and jumped and barked. I love jumping up and trying to catch Chris' arm
with my teeth, which she is not fond of.

That night she wore a really strange shirt which was very long and was
puffed up a little by the wind. I thoght I'd try to catch it. O I did, and
there was a hole, a hole torn by my teeth.

Chris, for some reason, was not mad at that, but she prevented me from
jumping up on her and catching her clothes or arms with my teeth while
continuing the run and bark. Chris says that Hapoo, the dog before me, the
old royalty, had t5ied her temper on a winter jacket she had bought only a
few days before, and my masterpiece is the shirt. But she also explained
that this was the only piece of her clothing that I could label like this,
got it, Quito? Not sure, Chris, but I'll do my best to remember.
Cheers, Quito.

two busy days

Hi everybody:

This week, despite always going to work, we did two really fun things.

One of these two days we stayed at home. Chris lay on the balcony for a
while, and then Micki arrived. The ladies first sat on the couch and sorted
out paper, and then we all went into the huge supermarket. Chris says I was
a good girl, my nose wasn't too much in the shelves, and I, too, think that
I was really paeient. But I also found out that Chris bought some meat for
me, too. however, I have not received it yet. Then the ladies had coffee,
and then we went back home. There the ladies relaxed, and I slept, until it
was time to say goodbye to Micki, and for my dog route.

The next day after work the tall man took us in his car. I like him, because
he is fun and laughs about me and plays, too. We walked along the crowded
beach street, where I saw something very interesting.

Kids and other people were drifting in boxes in the middle of the water. I
don't know how they got there, but they seemed to enjoy it. They drove or
drifted through under the street we were standing on and appeared on the
other side - really strange. I wish there was a hole in the street to peak
through to see how they did it.

A few minutes later the lady joined us, who is Chris' boss. She doesn't like
me much, and I think it doesn't matter if she's there or not. The two others
had ice-cream, but Chris dd not allow me to get my share. Then we walked to
the restaurant where Chris and the other friend used to go with me, and
there I found water just for myself. I drank most of it before Chris could
sit down.

We waited and waited a long while, until two more ladies arrived. They lked
me a lot, and I also think they liked Chris. Chris knows them, but I have
never met them.

We had food and talked some more, Chris played with a plastic card.

Then we went to the beach again. Chris' shoes disappeared in the backpack,
and I was put on flexible leash. I ran through the sand a little, and Chris
even took me into the water. I don't mind the water and the waves, but the
seaweed is really interesting to sniff out.

the two other ladies took me home in their huge car, and Chris of course,
too, for I don't think I would have left without Chris. I must confess I was
really really tired when we were finally back home. Thankfully, we only had
to go to work late the other day, so I could sleep.

Chris is generally in a good mood, and so am I. I can race her to work, and
it is fantastic. We play in the car parking lot, and I am very quiet at
work.
Cheers for the moment, Quito.

the baby and the big

Hello everybody:

I think I had a good week. I was allowed to greet two dogs. One was waiting
by his lady and a baby in a box on wheels. I begbged to greet him, so Chris
took off the harness. I had met him one of the very first nights of being
with Chris, but she was afraid we could get into something unpleasant. His
owner and she had long talk back then, but that day Chris took off the
harness and I greeted him. He is a little too rough for me, he is quite a
bossy one. We had to leave, and I was not very reluctant to foloow Chris.

Then one night all of a sudden, while Chris and I were in the car with the
friend who studies Spanish with her, the ladies decided to go to the beach
with the roaring water and the endless sandy beaches. I wanted to run, but
Chris did not let me off the leash, although I stayed with her when she had
let me run at the car parking space at work, even across the street, where
no more cars were passing by that time. The beach experience was fun, we
even walked towards the water, and I tried to sniff it. But the friend said
she did not want me to get all wet. Chris got attacked by a thousand
mosquitos all of a sudden, so we returned, and at the restaurant where we
had been before the ladies had whine and talked some more. I like those
relaxed nights.

Yesterday at work we saw a little tiny puppy. One of the friends had brought
her. She gave her to Chris, who had me sit and passed the leash on to the
friend. Chris petted the dog and exchanged kind greets with her. Then she
put her on the ground, so I, too, could say hi. The poor thing kept walking
backwards, though I just wanted to see iif she wanted to play. I think I
looked too big and huge and scary for her. So Chris picked her up and gave
her back to the friend. Everybody says she looks cute. Chris says, I, too,
was at work when I was a puppy, played with Hapoo and occupied the dog bed
that used to be hers but is now mine. And I have always been a great kisser.

Allright, off into a new weak wiith a defeat of the Roger man in a tennis
final. O by the way, another ball is flying in the mystery box. They call it
football, and the ball flying marathon is called world cup. Chris' teams she
calls the Germans, are playing a fantastic match, while my email friend
Bounty's mom's team haven't convinced anyone.
And funnily enough tennis Rafa's team will face tennis Roger's team in a
couple of days soon. I'm off, Chris wants to run and check the bread she is
baking,
cheers, Quito.

the long silence

Hello everybody:

I haven't posted for such a long time, because Chris has discovered that the
mystery box is a good passtime. Out of the mystery box they have been
hitting balls day and night, or so it feels at least. And that's what she
calls holidays!

Allright, we did not have to go to work, but Chris played with me, and we
took it easy otherwise. One time last week mom and the niece and the little
Gorki dog were here, I like all of them. The niece took me outside, and we
ran and ran and played with each other, it was fantastic. Mom had brought
flowers and a few fruits for Chris, and they all seemed to have enjoyed the
afternoon. They also watched the flying balls they call tennis. It appears
that mom and Chris are both fans of the Rafa man, whose voice I surely
recognize by now. She is crazy, she also knows the people who announce the
scores, and she has her favourites among them, too.

Well anyway, I know that I got a good load of food delivered, but only a few
packages of training treats made it upstairs. The rest is hidden somewhere I
have not yet discovered.

Then also Chris received a package while Rafa was playing in the mystery
box. I was not allowed to sniff or lick it. She says it is a box that can
connect with invisible signals from the sky they call satellites. The next
morning we took it on its first outing. The boxs was in Chris' hand, so to
receive enough secret messages, and from her shoulder she received
directions, which she communicated to me. I guided her safely, even when she
was lost. I sensed that, and so I took the lead. i really loved being out
and about and taking over, my tail was up in the air for sure.

And when we arrived at the staircase, the new device told us so with Chris'
voice, and she was surely happy. I think she was also happy about how I
displayed my abilities, because she petted me lots and was really relieved.
I can feel what she is feeling very well, and I think I like her a lot.

I even come for cuddles and snuggles. I love hiding my muzzle between her
legs or in her hands or elsewhere in a mold. I have also discovered the
licking game. First I sniff, and then all of a sudden I bring out a huge
tongue slam. It is especially funny when we wrestle on my bed and I hide my
head between her neck and shoulder. When I lick she laughs and relieses my
muzzle and we can wrestle on.

However, I think very soon we will be going back to work, for the writing
device has been put into the backpack, and I think soon the coffee mug will
follow. And then the bell will go back on the collar, so she can let me run
free in the parking lot. But I don't know who will win the final game of
tennis, Rafa looks good, so Chris says.
Cheers, Quito.