She never lets me talk!!!

Well, she's on the keys herself, or we aren't home enough. Really, we've been fairly busy by Chris' standards lately.

 

I don't know, I don't think I'll remember all we did. Chris nd I went to the office a lot, and at nights we went places. One night she wasn't feeling good, so Mr Daniel on wheels made her leave the house with me. I love going to Daniel's place, I even found the right entrance to his block like on auto-pilot. And when Chris releases me at the door, I run all across the apartment and go slobber-attacking Daniel - that's a hell of a lot of fun!

 

And Chris, too, says that night was miraculous, because she felt much better afterwards, and she kept thanking Daniel and he kept saying she shouldn't.

From then on Chris stopped sleeping so much, started talking on the phone and we had a few more appointments. We went out with two ladies, one of them I don't see often, but she is a lot of fun and likes me a lot. And the other is wonderful, too. The ladies sat and talked, and I lay under the table and behaved. The next night we went out with Mr Wheels Daniel and the other lady who calls me a wonderful nickname at a unique tone of voice. She is so shy when I kiss her, I love it!

 

The day after we stayed at home and Chris worked a lot. The sun was shining outside - that was great. At night Chris set up another appoitment with Daniel on wheels, and so yesterday in the morning he picked us up and we went to a place where the humans had breakfast and I lay under the bench behind Chris' feet. That is a really cozy place. They talked and talked, made fun of telephones and both seemed to enjoy themselves. Then Daniel took us home and we went on the afternoon walk.

 

O I can feel it when Chris is happy. She says I so easily reflect her moods that sometimes it annoys her, especially when she is in a bad or down mood. But that day I jumped up and down on the leash, played tug and really enjoyed myself.

 

At night I pulled off another masterpiece, a skill I had hidden from Chris until then. she was playing the quiet piano. That is rapidly and with some devotion hitting the black and white keys in a row, sitting with her back to me in the office room, a headset on her ears, sometimes singing or humming along. And when she does that she hears nothing but the piano music. I heard her telephone making a noise and knew that she should be turning around to make the telephone talk. When she did not do so, I stood up and very gently nudged her side. I realize that she first ended her song, but then she looked at her phone, made it talk and then spent a very, very, very long time with the phone on her ears. She even strolled through the apartment talking.

And when that was done, she picked up the other phone and talked some more, before we went to sleep.

 

See, I am a natural allert dog, because I watch Chris' behaviors and wonder why they don't occur when they should, thus trying to make her behave the usual way.

 

Allright, this was a very long entry, wasn't it? Chris is still in a good mood, so I'll see if she wants to play ball or rope or just wrestle with me.

Cheers, Quito.

busy week

Hi everybody:

I really need to update you on what has been happening around here lately, s
the last week was a great one again.

First we started out normal, but in the afternoon after work Chris harnessed
me up and we met Mr Daniel on wheels in the street. We walked into a place
where it smelled of great food. Chris and Daniel bought something for
themselves, and then we left to go to Daniel's place. There I received m dog
food, the humans settled to eat their food, and I got to pick up something
Daniel had dropped. Afterwards, however, Chris told me to lie down and not
dare look at the table and the food.
Thess what - I knew to be good, had enough food in my tummy by now and just
wanted to rest anyway, so she had no reason to be mad.

The humans watched TV, talked and watched some more. Chris got quieter and
quieter, until Daniel brought her a cup of coffee.

When we left to go home, it was soooo windy, it really was hard to walk. The
next day was a quiet one. Chris and I only rested, so we could start again
the day that followed. After work the big boss took us to his car, I jumped
in and Chris got in at the front. When we got off we were at a quiet street,
and eventually we made it to the beach, where Chris let me run free. There
was water, so I thought I'd take a drink - well it really tastes different
from the water I know - not good at all. Aditionally, the water seems to be
wanting to play with me. It keeps moving back and forth, splashing my feet
and going back again. I tried to play, but the water had its own mind. So I
decided to explore the beach and go sniffing. I even met a small dog, but he
didn't want to play much. Finall the humans sat down at the side of the
beach, had wine and talked, while I had to wait, on leash again, so I
wouldn't go too far away.

We got into the car, and the humans left me there, they just went shopping
very briefly, and I surely didn't mind staying in the car. We ended up at
the bisses house, where first thing I received food from him. Cool stuff, I
think this is the first time somebody else than Chris fed me, and she didn't
mind. In the meantime she helped prepare the human dinner, and then the
evening turned into a quiet one, with talking and having dinner.

I got to explore the little garden, and I discovered that on the other side
of the hedge there was an animal. I wanted to go and see it, so I decided to
squeeze through the bushes. Too bad, Chris discovered my plan with the help
of the boss, and called me back and made sure I didn't attempt any more.
Chris calls that animal a Guinea pig, whatever that is - we have none of
them at home. Then the boss took us home, and Chris went to sleep after
having checked her emails. I really enjoyed that day.

The next day everything was normal again, but in the afternoon, as we were
on the dog walk in the parking lot, a car stopped, and I saw two ladies.
They were friendly, and I think I have met them before, so I ran and played
with them. One in particular, she liked playing with me. Her car was a
little tougher to get into, as it requires a highter than usual jump to get
into the back. We ended up at the furniture store, where the humans had food
and talked, before we strolled through the store again. Chris looked for
somebody called Dave, or at least I thought it was a human, until I found
out that she referred to a tiny table on one leg that she wants to use for
her notebook computer. Now why she calls that object Dave escapes me. She
also finally bought a pillow for herself, which she says she'd been looking
at for a while now.

After paying, we went to a place where I spotted a favourite colleague, whom
I haven't seen for a long while. She also has a dog, and I really like her,
so I ran, jumped up on her and showed her that I was really happy to see
her.

When Chris and I returned home, the first thing she did was unpack a box she
had brought. She says this was Dave, but i didn't recognize him. There were
bits and pieces scattered on the floor. Chris looked at the puzzle, played
and played around with it, until it really turned into a Dave - amazing how
she did it. She only called the friend that had accompanied us once because
she had two screws left, but they both found out where to put them, and so
there Dave was.

For some reason, however, Dave's already gone, or rather he has turned into
puzzle pieces again, because one thing had broken, and she wants to exchange
him for a new and good Dave. Why can Daves be exchanged? I am honestly happy
I cannot be exchanged with a copy Quito, I would hate it.

The weekend was lazy, because Chris wasn't feeling too good yesterday, but
she at least cleaned the apartment. This morning she took apart all my dog
eds and had the monster laundry machine trap them in its cage. She claims
the bed covers will be returned clean, like her clothes do, and that her
laundry machine is not a socks eater or so, it is a good laundry machine.

Allright, I trust her, of course, and wait till my beds are back in shape as
new.
Cheers, Quito.

Chris goes military

Hello to all readers of Quito's weblog:

She has been so kind to give me a free posting spot, so I can tell you all
about our trip, the part where she was left in the car.

We weren't mean or anything, but a boat built for military purposes is
narrow and steep to climb into. We would have had to carry Quito inside, and
even there she wouldn't have enjoyed it.

True, we were met by a Captain, who showed one oof my colleagues the
restroom first. When she looked insode she exclaimed:
"Oh allright, this looks like a house boat, which I sometimes spend holidays
on!"

The Captain took us to the "office, where the Captain sleeps, but where the
higher ranked staff have their meals, and where he has his office at the
same time. When the third lady was back, he gave us a very interesting
introduction. He told us that this type of boat was used already in the cold
war, and the main focus was power, performance and placing arms on it,
before the people operating it came into the eqasion.

We were told about the current mission of this type of boat, about the
hierarchy and organization of the staff and their various tasks, also talked
about other international missions where our army is currently involved,
before headding out to explore the entire boat.

It is hard to describe what we saw. We started at the engin controls, the
navigation and communication deck, also went outside to see the outside view
point, where one person has to stay all day - not really pleasant in the
current weather, cold temperatures, storm and rain. I decded that this was
the job I would like the least.

We saw the rooms where the engins are, and where they can be navigated,
should the need arise. They weren't running full force, but I imagine it
will be far noisier when they are. We saw the place where the ammunition for
the canons and the hand-held arms were stored. Right underneeth that there
is the food storage, which we thought was quite a lot of fun. We all agreed
that the cook has the most important task on a boat - for if the food is
good, folks are in a good mood.

We saw the place where the canons are, and we were also allowed to look at
the living spaces for the staff - amazingly tiny. My own apartment would
hold all of the 36 staff, and they'd feel comfortable, I'm sure. And then
imagine going to sea and having no real private space, except for your own
bed, that must be a major challenge!

We also saw what the Captain called the brain of the ship, where the head
officers have the best overview of the situation, can access all navigation
and geographical data and agree on necessary actions. The technology,
setting it up and keeping it in flawless shape, must have been a challenge.
The boat is stuffed with technology, of course - fascinating!

I think we only missed one part, because both my colleague, who had
initiated this interesting day out, and I both thought about Quito. We were
taken outside using a steep exit, but I had fun climbing up and down through
the narrow doors and aisles. Both my colleague and the Captain were great
guides and pointed out potentially dangerous spots.

Outside, while playing with quito, we also discussed a few general points
related to the current state of the military and the army's reputation,
which was very interesting. The Captain had interesting views and shared
insights that are nice to know. Generally, I have to compliment him. He
quickly picked up where I needed hints, explained everything so wonderfully
that I could picture it, and wasn't afraid to let me climb up and down
ladders and step up and down narrow doorsteps. He offered his hand where
necessary, so I could stand and climb stably, as did both my colleagues.

I really enjoyed this experience of a guided tour of a boat that is actually
still operating. Of course, seing my colleagues was just as nice, and the
fact that one of them remembered our talk from way back in June was
fascinating to begin with. I had trouble remembering that we had talked
about seeing a boat back then, but was really thrilled when she called to
confirm the date.

Well, I'm off to work, I hope you have enjoyed this read, cheers, Chris:-)

the bed is gone

Yes, it's true, the bed is gone from the livingroom, and my mat has moved
back to the bedroom. Well, I think I have to start telling the story from
the beginning.

Last week some day Micki arrived, and I was really so happy to see her. The
friend Silke left for work, and Micki and Chris and I went shopping.
However, we first went into a store where Chris disappeared behind a
curtain, where I could only hear her. Micki held my leash and made sure that
I stayed where she put me. Chris in the meantime received clothes, which she
wore when she opened the curtain, and Micki and the sales woman judged them,
but Chris for some reason also had opinions. Then she went to give the lady
the plastic card, which she got back, plus the clothes she had chosen. Into
another store we went, where the package was smaller, and then we went
grocery shopping, finally. This time it wasn't so much meat, but a lot of
green stuff, vegetables, carots and so, because Chris thinks she has put on
too much weight. I don't care, as long as she is there.

We stayed at home the following two days, Chris working on her computer and
having very longtelephone talks. They all sounded like work-related, so I
think she was working. The second night the friend Silke and Chris and I
went outside, where we met another lady, whom I sometimes meet at work. She
drove to the city, and we went into a restaurant, where they really liked
the food. Chris says it was very delicious Indian food. Finally we went
home, and the first thing the friend did was put on the laundry machine. She
seems to be in love with it, it's been running a lot since she's been here.
or maybe Chris just doesn't have so many clothes to wash all the time?

The next morning I knew the friend was going to leave, so I quietly followed
her and lay down so that I could always see her. Chris says Hapoo used to be
more close up, when she knew somebody was leaving, but I am quietly just
making sure. Well the friend walked to the car, returned, gave Chris a key
and then apparently said goodbye. She closed the door, and I lay down there
to see what was happening next. Soon Chris took me back to my bed i the
livingroom, and then I was relaxed. I like company, especially by favourite
people.

Finall the doorbell did ring, and Chris opened the door for a lady I don't
remember having met. But she liked me and wasn't afraid, so I wasn't either.
We first went for the afternoon walk, all the three of us, and then the lady
took us to her car. I got to stay in the back, like my coaches car when I
was still in training. I love it, it is nice, easy, spacious and relaxed.
Chris says we met the lady once when she took me on our first journey
together. Well I think that was way back when I had to deal with so many new
impressions.

We left the car once, walked into a hotel lobby, when the friend received a
phone call, which caused us to go outside, where we met another lady, one we
had also apparently met back then.

We drove a little more, and then she joined us in our car. All of a sudden I
was left alone, and the ladies were greeted by a man I have never seen. They
left me for a very long time, but I was quite allright, because I like the
car.
Chris says in her next mail, which she will steel from me and post here, she
will tell you all about the time in between.

I can tell you that when they returned, I was pretty happy to be outside. I
jumped and jumped, and Chris had to prevent me from jumping up at people. So
she walked away a few steps and let me jump, until I had regrouped myself.
Then I was allowed to sniff out the people, even the man, who was way taller
than Chris. i wasn't afraid and did not growl at him. He even bent down to
pet me, which was fun.

Then we went back home, which included an interesting part, where the car is
driven up on a boat, which takes cars and people across the river.

Today the day finally sees us going back into work, where I am sure I will
meet many favourite people, and then we'll have the real routine back.
Cheers, Quito.