Part II - The Mystery Solved

I think after exploring the apartment and the water for me we all took a
break. Then we headded outside again, and the humans brought a lot of
grocery home with them. Chrris even carried a bagin the hand where my
leash is, but I walkked very nicely despite that little distraction, so
I found and so she said.

Chris even retrieved one candle holder from her big backpack, which
found a place on Mr Voice's table. He put the vase of roses in the
center, and once all candles were burning it really looked nice, or so
he said. We went for another Quito walk, but again I thought I had to
find other places to do my business. We went pretty far to a little pond
of water, where the humans sat down and talked, and I explored the
water. I also found that it is really nice to play with Mr Voice. We
tugged on my leash and I jumped a little. It was really nice to sleep
that night.

The next morning Chris got up later than usual, and once the two had had
a bit of coffee, we went for a walk, stopped by a bakery and got
breakfast rolls for humans. Of course for humans, because Quito only has
Quito food, and she only does so once a dy <fffff>

The humans had breakfast, and then we went outside in the heat of the
day. We walked very far, and finally I really had to go do my business.
Gosh I had to go, and once that was done I knew where to go, and always
did, because the dog route never changed from then on. I do love
routines in that matter, I have to admit.

We walked through the city and arrived at another tiny lake, where Chris
walked into the water with me, and I got to pick up a bit of bread that
the humans had thrown in to feed duckks and geese or whatever - and now
Quito, too. The water was cool to get myself cooled down, before the
humans found a bench under trees, sat down and talked and talked and had
boottled water themselves.

Then they decided to get up and walk some more, until we arrived at
another bit of water, which Mr Voice calls the Rhine.

I walked in, took a drink and decided that it wasn't all that bad. I saw
another dog, tried to walk there, but the dig was busy catching a ball.
It was swimming even, so I decided to also take a channce. Mr Voice
threw in a stone to get me going, I tried to retrieve it and had to
swim. Chris threw another stone, and I swam again, and we all had so
much fun. Then I stood beside Mr Voice, wanted to sniff out the ground
and found out that when my nose is under water, I can generate bubbles.
That is a fun game: dive down and make bubbles. The two lovers had so
much fun and laughed, and now both of them were in the water with their
feet. I love the water, it is great fun. Of course, I had to shake
myself once outside, and the humans got a cooling drizzle from that. Mr
Voice had always been convinced that I could swim, and would, and Chris
just wasn't suure.

Oh, she is telling me something - wait!

Mr Voice's correct name is Ralf!
Wait! What?

When she is with him, she never calls him that! She only uses that word
when she is on the phone or talking with somebody! Where's the
differennce, I wonder???

Got to go, wait for more news, Quito.

One mystery solved

Woofs and non-woofs, here we are again, and Chris is letting me have the
computer for a little while. What I want to tell you will probably have
to be put into two entries, because did so so much!

It all began when Micki came by, and the ladies spent quite some time in
the bedroom in front of the wardrobe. Then we went shopping in the
nearby supermarket, and then Micki left. Chris must have talked with Mr
Voice before she went to sleep, but I really don't remember anymore.

What I do remember is that she woke up way earlier than usual, had a
little bit of coffee, rn around to pack a few more things into the
backpack, and then took me for a really early morning walk. When we
returned, a car drove up and stopped, and Chris let me get in. The car
was a taxi, which took us to the train station. Chris says the drivber
was really pleasant and made sure we arrived on time and took us to the
service point of the train station. Chris sat down and made me lie
quietly, while messing around with her mobile telephone, this time,
however, it didn't have to do wiith Mr Voice.

A lady came and took us to a platform and helped us find seats on a
train. I love riding on trains. As soon as I know where to go, I dive
into the row, lie down and stay that way until Chris picks up the
harness for us to leave the train. A man waited for us, took us to
another train and made sure somebody showed Chris where the new seats were.

It appeared that we were sitting in a compartment with four really nice
people, a man and woman with two children. We stayed there for a very
long time, Chris did talk with Mr Voice once, checked emails and took a
very short nap, until it was time for us to leave that train, too.

She says there is only one way to the exit, so she told me to go
forward, and I did until Chris suddenly stopped for no obvious reason.
When I looked back, she was held tight by somebody for a very long time.

Why that is escaped me, becauseshe had not fallen or tripped or
anything, but still he held her, and I believe she held on to him just
as well. I haven't seen anybody sneak up on us like this and then just
holding Chris!

When that person finally let her go, she handed him my leash and looked
at flowers that appeared out of nowhere. I really didn't get it why
Chris was so happy and where that man came from so quietly and so suddenly.

He gave the leash back and walked with us to another platform, took us
into another train and sat down beside Chris. He was very friendly for
sure, told Chris he understood me because I wasn't going to share my job
of taking care of her with anybody, and petted me. Well I must say that
he had a very friendly voice annd personality, this is for sure, buut
who was he?

We left the train, Chris took the harness off, and we walked through
another city, found a green spot between two car lanes, and I got to
sniff it all out. We then walked up many stairs and ended up in a very
small apartment.

By this time I knew that Chris had just met Mr Voice from the phone
talks. He had even carried her large backpack, put it down and watched
me explore the area, while Chris went about doing so on her own before
holding on th Mr Voice again. By that time, however, he had retrieved a
bowl, filled it with water and put it down for me.
Mr Voice has so many names, but Chris saysMy Love most often, so I guess
that must be his name.Well he is really wonderful, and Chris is
laughing, because he isn't my love but hers, she thinks. But you know
nothing, dear Chris, he is simply cool and wonderful, but I willl tell
you all about it later.

For now Chris wants the computer, so I will continue updating you
whenever I have the time.
Cheers for the moment and good day, Quito.

Meeting Micki

O what an exciting last two days!

Two days ago, to begin with, we were at work very late, Chris and I. And
while she was talking on the phone, I saw Micki walking in, accompanied
by a tall man. I was going th greet Micki as enthusiastically as she
deserves it, but Chris made me lie down beside her chair, even though
she was on the phone, and so I had to remain calm.
I first thought the tall man was Mr Voice, but Chris says he wasn, but
he is one of her family members. I smelled another dog on his clothes,
and she says it was little Rudi, the pupy I occasionally play with when
we travel to see the sister. So I must have met the man Chris calls nephew.

While Chris got ready to leave, I played with Micki and the nephew, and
then we left. Outside in the parking lot Chris let me off the leash, and
I immediately jumped into the car.

We really took that car to go to a restaurant. I hardly remember the
place, but Chris says Hapoo used to go here very often with her and the
friend Silke.

The usual scenario then: Humans sitting at a table, food beint served
and eaten, lots of talking, and dog lying on the floor, having water -
and - woofer treats and a few pets by the staff. It was a really
enjoyable night!

Yesterday was a nice day as well. The morning walk was good, then Chris
worked a little, took a nap on the couch, woke up and walked me again,
before starting to clean up a little and enjoy the sun on the balcony.
Finally the doorbell rang, and Micki and the nephew showed up again.
They had brought cake - and o delicious Micki - I got a little piece,
because Micki dropped it right in front of my nnose - yippee! That's dog
heaven!

Then the ladies looked at clothes out of Chris' wardrobe, and finally
they all took me for the evening walk. I love it when everybody comes to
walk with us, so I can play a little more! And later, of course, Chris
talked to Mr Voice, before we both called it a day.

These are great weekends, when I see people I like, do get forbidden
food and have a fun time walking around, jumping and playing.

Allright, Chris tells me to finish, so we can get ready to go to work,
cheers, Quito.

Quick update

Here is a short update from Chris and myself, because I am so proud of
myself!

Two days ago we had quite a stormroaring outside, even though the sun
was shining. Chris says she was happy she did not have to walk to work
with me, because she would not have heard the streetcar approach. As we
went for our evening walk, we really had to face some strong wind.
Suddenly, as we were aproaching the staircase that leads upstairs, we
were hit by the wind coming from the side. Chris had trouble standing
and keeping her direction, so I heoped out. I leaned into my collar and
kept tension on the flexible leash, so Chris could follow me and feel
when I was going up the steps. And once we were upstairs, she gave me a
major hug.

I may act like a silly puppy more often than once, but in the end, when
it is important, I am on high alert. Chris has come to realize that, for
I have saved her from getting lost in the storm, and I keep saving her
from getting lost generally, be it snow, rain or storm.

This morning I have displayed another ability. Chris took my signal
jacket and collar, threw both at different locations and pointed for me
to catch them one after the other. I retrieved them, and it was truely a
lot of fun! I hope we will be playing that game more often now.

She also says that it won't be long now until we travel to see The
Voice, who, if I believe Chris, was as proud of me about the storm
rescue as I was and as Chris was.

Cheers and happy Sunday, Quito.

Strange times and statistics

Hey, did you know that Chris loves numbers and figures?

She can see how many people are visiting my website, and where they are
from. She is telling me that Mr Voice seems to be logging on regularly,
and also somebody from not too far away from where we live. But because
no names are displayed, she doesn't know who it is. You should leave a
comment on this entry, so I know who you are, because having readers is
so so cool! Over the years both Hapoo and I have had over 7,500 hits!

Allright, that was that, and I really love all readers - but now let me
tell you about how strange Chris is acting sometimes. Last week we were
at the beach with the big boss. At first I was bored, because Chris
wouldn't let me run free and play. But then, as we were leaving the
beach, she let me play fetch with the big boss, and she says I did
really well. Then we went to his house, the humans had food, and then
they went outside for him to smoke a cigarette. I was not allowed to goo
outside, because in the neighbour's garden there is a tiny animal they
call Guinea pig. I want to visit it, but Chris says that is not a good
idea. The other neighbour has a huge dog, but I was not allowed to visit
him, either. Chris says I was really good staying inside watching them.

The next weekend saw Chris in varying moods. She did not talk to Mr
Voice and only went to sleep after he had sent her a text message or
two. The next day we went to work, and it was a really sunny day. Chris
felt allright, played with me and had a fairly good time. The third day
she was feeling uneasy. She kept herself busy doing things, but she also
spent some time sitting and thinking, until she called her friend in
Spain and they talked a lot. Then she took my leash, and we went outside.

There we paced back and forth a little, until Daniel came and I jumped
into his car and gave him a quick kiss. We got out of the car at a
sports ground, where they say they played baseball. O saw the balls
flying behind a fence and did not receive any to play with - what a
shame! Chris enjoyed herself, but I got bored after a while. It rained
twice, and so she put a strange jacket on me, which she calls a
raincoat. I don't mind, it keeps me dry. Chris says Hapoo didn't like
raincoats at all, and she was surprised I was so calm about it. Chris
says it is one of Hapoo's raincoats, and it doesn't matter if it is a
bright yellow one, as long as it keeps most of me dry. I also got a
little cold lying on the groound, and surely bored. When we left I
wanted to playplayplay, but Chris and Daniel walked to the car with me
and we went home.

I thiink she loved being outside, so she didn't have to think much. At
home she talked with the friend again, until Mr Voice called her and she
was really relieved. I don't know what she wants and why she was so
uneasy - I didn't quite understand the situation. But when he called,
she sat back, smiled and immediately snapped into talking with Mr Voice
mode.

The two following days we were at work, and Chris let me play tug with
the leash and allowed me to greet a few other people as long as I
behaved. And yesterday when we had returned from work, Micki arrived.
Chris had a strict "Quito stay on your bed" policy, so I let out a few
tiny cries, which only made her re-enforce the command - tough tough
tough! And when Micki was finally allowed to greet me, I had to stay on
my bed and not get too excited.

We finally went out to the furniture store, where I displayed my skills.
I love to speed along the wide central aisles start to end without
stopping. Hey, this store is an obstacle course, not a stop to shop store!

Chris and Micki slowed me down, of course, and Chris kept referring to
Mr Voice. She bought something funny, which she already has at home. It
is like a foot with many arms where candles can be put inside. She loves
it, annd she says Mr Voice might love it, too. We'll see when we finally
meet him.

She has finally bought the train tickets to see Mr Voice, and shhe is so
so thrilled to see him! And of course, the two of them are talking
again, as if they have a contract to break the monthly telephone
marathon record.

Enjoy the spring everybody, cheers, Quito.