Monday, December 31, 2012

Clothes, calm and crazy

Hi there everyone:

Well I have told you that I thought we were up for a few holidays. That
was true. That one morning Chris and I went to work, but only stayed for
a few hours, and then everybody left at the same time. We walked home,
and then Chris relaxed thoroughly. Later we went for the evening walk,
and then she watched some TV. at night she also spent some time on the
phone with Daniel and Micki.
The next morning Chris got up early, made some unknown arrangements, and
then after the morning walk and another rest she harnessed me up and we
ran to the streetcar stop. Chris thought we were late, so we made it
there in four minutes. Our neighbour was also waiting for the streetcar.
He got off earlier than us, and when we did, it was at the central train
station, where an assistant met us and took us to another train. We only
stayed there for a sniff and a half, got up and met niece Lena and the
cool Krause dog. However, Chris made it clear that it was working time
for me, and so I guided her home wiith all the serious attitude I could
show. Then I saw the sister and Micki. Unfortunately, Krause and I were
not allowed to play rough in the corridor, but we had to wait until the
humans had had coffee and a visitor and Lena had left the house. Then we
all went into the livingroom, and there Suse showed Chris a lot of
items. When I got to sniff Chris, she was wearing all new clothes, even
new shoes! They all three liked that new appearance of hers, and it was
Suse's major Christmas present for Chris. Micki gave her a cushion for
the couch, and Chris insists that her presents wee lready with the
recipients, because sister had taken the big box home already. And they
all apparently had liked the contents of their packages. Then the humans
went into the kitchen and had food, and then Suse and the man took both
Krause and me out for a very long walk in the fields. That was great
fun, as always! And when we returned, we were cleaned and dried, I
stayed a little longer in the corridor, and then Chris was wearing her
old clothes again. She was pulling a trolley bag behind her when she and
I left. I took her to the train station, showed her where the entrance
to the platform was, and waited for the train with her. She really found
a door that she opened, for there was nobody getting on the train with
us. She says I was behaving very nice, because I had to walk beside her
on longer leash to give her space and time to find the button to open
the door. And then we were at the central station again, and another
assistant lady took us to the streetcar platform. We were home at night,
me tired and Chris extremely happy.
The next day was spent relaxing again.

Then we went to work for two days, and then it was down time again.
However, outside they are beginning to make that stupid noise of
explosions. Chris doesn't like it so much, so I am on alert when we go
outside for my dog walk.
One of my claws had also grown bad, so Chris finally managed to remove
the bad part. The claw is very short now, but it is growing nicely now.
It is a little painful, but not so bad, so I am hiding the pain, and it
gets better by the days, as the claw grows longer.
Chris has also spent some time in the kitchen. At Micki's, when I was
for the long field walk, she had baked Christmas cookies with Micki. One
of these days she made cookies in our kitchen, but as always, I don't
even get a bit. Only sister Suse gives me bits and bites, like a walnut
or a bit of lunch or so. Chris says she doesn't interfere, because it is
no use with sister. Nice I say!
I have not received dinner last night, I think I will complain big time.
Chris says we will g on our evening route very early today, to avoid the
explosions and lightnings, but I will be getting a big portion of food
later tonight, so it is easy for me to last till early tomorrow morning.
I think she always does that when something new is ahead of us, so I
don't get uncomfortable. I trust she knows what she is doing, so will go
back to snoaring,
cheers Quito.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Life is play!

Good morning, good morning!

A week ago when we came to work I discovered that the big boss was in,
so I greeted him enthusiastically. And o joy, he had brought toys for me
besides the usual treats. I have trained him well, haven't I? The toys,
however, weren't from him, but from Mr Mylove, who has changed names
with Chris into Ralf, but I honestly don't care. A man who sends me toys
is worth calling Mr Mylove, I think. Any objections?
One is a nice huge rope for me to dig my teeth in and pull, and the
other one a rope tied into four handles and one tugging knot in the
center. They are both real fun! Chris and I played with both toys for a
little while, and then she sat down to work not at the usual desk but at
the one further to the central aisle, because Eric, the man who always
smells of a cat's presence at his home (pleasant and very iteresting),
sits at the window, when he is there. Those are the only times Chris
will voluntarily switch places.
There must have been a large meeting going on, for folks were gathering
in the center. I stayed on my bed and Chris and Eric stayed at their
desks and followed the speeches from there. Soon it was time for Chris
and me to go home. Have I told you that the major traffic light is
making noises again? That really relaxes Chris when we have to cross
that huge street.

We also had a meeting of people the following day, Chris says they share
having physical limitations. The humans sat in a circle first, and then
around a table, had a bit of cake and then finally we all left the room.
Chris immediately grabbed her small work phone, sat down in the middle
area she calls Sweden, and talked and talked to a lady. I do admit this
was one of the rare occasions I got impatient and was really happy when
she put away the phone and we left work, followed by - oh joy - the big
boss. Chris took my leash ooff and I raced down the stairs, tried to
open the door, but needed help, and then ran all across the parking lot.
The humans tossed snowballs for me and I had a grand time sniffing at my
own speed and pleasure. Then we drove to the shopping center where I
haven't been for ages. The humans had coffee, we went for a very tiny
bit of shopping, and then the big boss took us home.

Then all of a sudden Chris really started to work hard and with more
focus than usual. she says things have gotten mixed up somewhat, not by
her doing, but she has to help sort them out as best as she can.
Then two days ago all of a sudden the phone rang, and Chris put the
signam jacket on me, we went downstairs and I saw the sister! I greeted
her with a mighty jump and run, hopped into the car and was left there
while the humans were apparently selecting trees to load the car with.
Then we walked through the furniture extremely quickly - sister holding
my leash and Chris following. They did not buy much, but Chris and I
then spent most of the time waiting, for sister had to stuff something
into a larger car, and then she returned to pick us up. We went home and
upstairs, Chris searched for something to give to the sister, ad then
sister and I left. I don't mind leaving Chris at home, she will be
allright, and going away with sister is great fun.
We met the sister's dog Krause, he and I tried who had the more stubborn
will but left it at a tie. I had great romps outside. At night I opened
the niece's bedroom door, walked into the living area, discovered a bit
of butter on the counter, decided that it must have been left there on
purpose for me to find, had it all and went to sleep. Then out with
sister and Krause for another marvelous romp, and then the sister put
the niece and me on the city train, and we walked through the ice and
snow back to my home, where Chris came to greet me. I received food and
then curled up on my bed to sleep.

Today, I believe, it is a bit of work again, and then Chris says we will
have a few days off. Allright, fine with me.
Have a good time everyone and everywhere, cheers, Quito.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

It's snowing and I'm playing!

hi all:

Time flies, and Chris has continued to put on a few more candles. She
likes them, I can tell.

One morning, I remember, Chris and I walked outside, she walked down the
steps, found that there was a thick layer of snow, and returned right
away. That was a pity, because I thought I could take some time off to
play. But Chris put on her winter shoes, grabbed a white cane, and we
went for the walk. The deep snow is fantastic for me to play in - only
trouble is that I seem to be attracting snowballs between my toes and
under my feet. Chris used the cane not to let me off work, but to find
the way under the snow herself, and to support her while climbing down
the icy steps.

One of those snowy days sister Suse came, picked up my leash, and we two
went for a little play session outside, where the meadow used to be,
which now was covered with a thick layer of the cold white. It was great
fun, and the sister tossed snowballs for me. Chris says it is even
harder to play with me when snow is all around, for she cannot walk on
the meadow and has to take care that she is not slipping. I remember
once we met little Chip outside, the wild youngster, but Chris had to
tell his man not to let him play with me, at that time she was wearing
shoes that weren't exactly made for the icy conditions. Pity, I tell
you, pity!

A few days ago she went hiding in the kitchen almost all afternoon - and
would you believe it - not a crumb of the delicious tasting stuff found
its way into my tummy passing my waiting tongue! What a shame, but
that's Chris!

Now the snow has gone, and yesterday Chris and I went to play at the
usual place again, when a colleague came. i decided to tell her not to
get closer to Chris, I barked and circled around Chris, but Chris and
she walked towards each other despite me telling her off, and then they
shook hands and Chris let me see that. And then - oh fun - the colleague
opened the trunk of her car. i thought I should get inside, and so I did
before they called me out laughing. And then that lovely lady threw a
ball for me - great great stuff, I tell you!
And in the afternoon when Chris and I went outside after work, I spotted
another fun colleague, who sometimes takes a moment to wrestle with me -
and raced towards him - yippee!
Chris thinks I am silly, but I think she smiles at my querks and lets me
get away with them, because I am generally friendly and a great worker,
too. Hey, I got her past snow hills, across blocked paths and along busy
streets allright!
Okay, now it's time to run to work, cheers and have a fine day, Quito.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

movies, pearls and candles

Good morning from the chilly side of the world:

Chris thinks it has gotten cold, but I say get yourself some warm, black
fur, and winter is not so cold anymore!

We have stopped goig to the hotel for the workshop, unfortunately. The
last day was two days ago. I found the entrance from the not so narrow
side this time, which I got praised for big time. I have also gotten
used to the elevator in the way that I won't stiffen my paws and slide
out. I still don't like it, but I accept it.
on the way to the workshop room we met my best friend, the man who takes
us on the dog route, and Chris gave him a plastic bag with something in
it. The man later came to our desk and thanked Chris for the present.
After all important ideas had been exchanged, we went to the restaurant,
and after Chris had finished dinner, we went outside, having said
goodbye to all the others. I still don't fail to impress Chris with the
way I guide her and locate the streetcar stop with such determination.
Well, I think she has shown it to me so that I can remember, and I just
like my work - that's it.
At home Chris turned on both the computer and the noise making vacuum
cleaner, and soon the doorbell rang and Daniel came into my sight. I
wanted to present him with my major greeting ceremony of jumping up on
him, cleaning his eyeglasses and wagging my tail like crazy, but Chris
made sure I remained fairly calm. I was not allowed to jump, but I still
managed to clean the glasses. Soon the doorbell rang again, ad this time
Julia arrived, the person we had met in the city a week ago. I was not
allowed to jump up on her, either, but she is nice, too. Food was
delivered, and when the doorbell rang for the fourth time, it was the
neighbour who surprised Chris with another little bunch of flowers. She
was really happy about it, I could tell. Then they watched a movie and
talked a bit, and then ulia left. Chris and Daniel watched another TV
broadcast, before he, too, left.

Lately Chris has been spending her time messing around with pearls and
string. She has turned the pearls into a decorative cover for Micki. She
says Micki wanted one, and she enjoyed making it. And this morning Chris
has finally found the candle she likes so much. it is made of bea wax
and smells like honey. It is quite large, and Chris had put it up and
on. She calls this day the first of advents, and next Sunday there will
be two candles burning, and so forth. If memory serves me right we've
had this the past winter, too. Chris also has lights hanging above the
door and behind the TV - many little ones tied to a cable. That also
lights up the livvingroom. And tomorrow, she says we will go back to
work and have the usual routine back, until it's time for the smallballs
again.
Have a good and not so chilly day, cheers, Quito.