September - full of ups and downs

So, September. I like September. It heralds the beginning of autumn. And autumn has plenty of interesting things rustling in the colouring leaves. Oh yes. And some of those very interesting autumnal rustlers are right in my very own home territory. A fox, vulpes vulpes (so good they named him twice!), lives at the bottom of my garden in the ivy covering the garden wall. Moving into a hunting hound's garden takes some courage and I admire that. But I am still going to try and catch the little bugger! Much hunting is, of course, not a matter of high adrenaline chase-excitement, but hours of muscle-cramping stake-out staring.

And here I an in full hunting action mode! I held this pose for hours. There wasn't any movement in the ivy for hours, but as you know, the fox is sly! I knew, as soon as I turned around it would move. I couldn't let that happen! So I stayed. And stared. Regrettably, STAFF have no real understanding of what it means to be a dedicated hunter. So when I started shaking all over from muscle cramp, THEY forced me to go inside and thaw out by a roasting fire. Gaw, THEY can be so despicably mean!

After my disappointment with the fox hunting I was naturally a little wound up. So, imagine my surprised excitement when I chanced upon a squirrel who was paying a lot of attention to gathering nuts, but altogether too little attention to the shadow that started looming behind, blocking out the sun, letting out a mighty roar and pouncing without pity. (Er, that was me, if you didn't get it from the description) So, that squirrel was mine! No more squeaking and chattering at me from the safety of a tree! That little squeaker was dead!

Buoyed by such success and with STAFF taking me on very long morning patrols, crashing through the best woods, at the break of dawn, sniffing, chasing, hunting, I was feeling alive and buzzing! I was a happy chap. No, credit, where credit is due, STAFF made me happy. Until....

.... until THEY forced me out on another early morning jaunt to the woods. Did I mention these jaunts? Forcing me to run for miles through woods? Where did THEY get the idea that I like this kind of stuff? I'm sure I don't know! Anyway, on one of these stupid jaunts, I was traveling backwards along the path, jumping, and conveying a list of grievances to STAFF (all perfectly normal behaviour!) when a tree root jumped up and took out my back leg! Aaarh! I was sure it had been a clean amputation! Ok, so there was no blood. But I could not put my leg down, try as I might. Naturally, one STAFF went immediately to fetch the car and I waited with the other STAFF. And before I could even say "I'm fine, really" I found myself at the vets. Bad. The vet gave me an injection. Double bad. And told STAFF to keep me captive inside the house for at least 1 whole day. Triple bad! And there was nothing even really wrong with my leg. Which I told them. It is all beyond the pale!

So, now I am forced to lie on my bed. And do nothing. I got so bored I fell asleep. Captivity was unbearable. Years had passed. But when I asked STAFF THEY tried to mess with my mind by saying that we only got back from the vet's 5 minutes ago. Is there no end to THEIR depravity?

Incidentally, this monogrammed blanket is just the coziest thing I ever have had! But that is by the by! I have a whole other 1/2 day of this! How will I cope?

Well, actually, I got together with a few other smart canines and we have formed a secret adventure gang. I am totally incognito now. Smart, eh! Now I can go on adventures STAFF won't even know anything about.

I just hope that I can also resume my morning and evening patrols soon. I do so miss my trips to the woods.

By the way, there are no logical inconsistencies in this. It all makes perfect sense to me! If you think it doesn't, well, perhaps you need to study the Weimaraner School of Logic in some more detail. I am offering correspondence courses for the serious student.

Tis the season for....?

So, as you can see I'm battening down the hatches in my ever present struggle to stay warm.

Now, you and I - we are smart. Does this look to you like I am planning to spend some nights outside? Protected only by a thin layer of canvas from the elements? Why oh why, when common sense was given out, did STAFF say "no, thanks, not for me!"? And, why oh why, do THEY not listen to me and my subtle hints?

I had better enjoy the warmth whilst I can!

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Addendum:

Actually, I've had a change of heart! Amazing what a bit of sunshine can do!

Danger gleams like sunshine to a brave Weimy's eyes! Bring it on!

That's not enough to make me tired!

So, STAFF got one of those iphone thingies. Apparently, I spend too much time on the Mac and THEY want to occasionally get online, too. Pah, feeble excuse. THEY should own up to THEIR love of gadgetry and weak resistance to anything shiny.

Anyway, with this iphone comes a nice app which lets you check how far and fast and up and down you walked. Now, this was an eye-opener! All I got this morning was 3km through the woods. Ok, so this is what THEY walked. I had to run more. Why? Well, STAFF put on no entertainment at all, so I had to find my own stuff to do. You know, track the foxes and madly crash through the undergrowth, creep up behind rabbits and say "Booo!" and watch them scram real quick (cracks me up every time), see how many squirrels I could get up a tree with one bark, track the fowl. You know, the kind of things you gotta do because otherwise you'd be totally bored hanging out with STAFF.

Well, as you can see, none of this is enough to tire me out! Here I am lying wide awake and being consoled by Larry Lamb. I just hope tomorrow we'll do a longer round! Maybe I should carry that iphone thingy. See how far I go. I'll be real careful with it. Honest!

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PS: I am so cold I had to re-locate!

And STAFF are talking about going camping. WHAT? Without me, you FOOLS! Where do THEY get the idea from that I might enjoy camping? In this weather?

outstaring a goat....or not....

Today I tried to outstare a goat. I was totally focussed. I was not blinking. Eyes straight ahead on the goat. It was going well! I could almost taste success! But then... a smell, a sound, and aaaahhhh, I looked away. I lost. Dang it! That wasn't fair! It was two against one.

Indian summer camping....nice

So, STAFF finished off some sort of big project at work and wanted to celebrate by getting out and about for the weekend. And as the sun was shining, for the first time in weeks, I was all for it! So, we packed up the Gangmobil and left at the crack of dawn. And then we arrived at the field which was to be our new home.

I loved it! I found the nicest spot and put down my towel, er, bed straight away! After all, I am 1/2 German...
But before I had even started bronzing between my tootsies we were off again. To the Monsal trail, just around the corner from our home from home. I need no signpost! (Except for reading and leaving messages...). I could smell the water all the way from here! To the river - this way! Come on!
So, the river was down some really big, steep stone steps. STAFF had me all clipped in. A mistake, I should think. I was in a rush! I cannot hang about waiting for slowcoaches! Thankfully an unsuspecting woman at the bottom of the steps stopped STAFF's headlong plunge into the river. I sensed that I was not so popular just then, and thought it best to move on...
To make up for, what STAFF clearly perceived to be misdemeanor, I gave THEM my sweetest smile. Smiling is easy when you're in the water!
And there was even good fishing to be had! I caught two! One big stick - which I had there and then. Raw! Arrrrrrr.... it feels good to get in touch with your inner canine on these hunting trips! And I caught a shiny pebble to boot. But it was very small and, compassionate guy and responsible hunter I am, I put it back in the river. I'll getcha later when you are big and strong and it's a fair fight!
I drank gallons of this water. It tasted so good! There is simply nothing like the taste of river water, puddle water, lake water or Evian.
Regrettably, we moved on from the river. My attempts to abseil down the bridge to get back to the water were frowned upon by STAFF and frankly nipped in the bud. Tcchhhhh... no sense of adventure THAT lot. Sure, I didn't have a rope. So? Sure, THEY had to wade through a river once before to rescue me. So? That's why I let THEM tag along. For emergencies.
I am still trying to think how to evade the PARTY POOPERS' surveillance.
Then again, there was some other good stuff to smell and I was happy to bide my time until another opportunity might present itself.
And, oh my, STAFF carried provisions. YUMMY! Come to Papa, baby! I am using my Jedi mind-bending technique to get STAFF to hand over some of the crunchy goodness. And it worked! Course it did. THEY are no match for a Jedi!
All in all a very good outing. What can I say. I had a really good time!
And we're back to our home from home. Nice spot, don't you think? And yes, STAFF make all 3 of us sleep in that tiny canvas number. I would have gone for something bigger myself, but hey ho. I have enough space at night. And all the blankets. And that's all that really matters.
The great thing whilst out camping, is that you can get all these Free Scent Samples. I am totally stuffing my pockets full of those, figuratively speaking. Yummy!
And a small break.... This is one of the best parts. You can see the thoughts on STAFFs' faces. "Oh, we didn't bring any soap. Oooooh, we can smell Otto from here. Ah, we're all in a small tent." Teehee, that made me smile!
And because you can never smell quite strong enough, I am applying more of the special samples. It is simply wonderful!
After all that activity, STAFF and I retreat to the tent for a pre-dinner snooze. I am, of course not tired at all, as you can see. But I like to humour THEM on occasion. Plus, there were lots of pesky wasps about outside the tent, so we all went the path of least resistance.
With the evening, and most importantly dinner time (!), approaching, we brave the great outdoors again. I am putting my ear to the ground to see whether I can hear any small, tender, wooly, baa-ing snacks approaching. Nothing! Also, I am secretly putting on more Free Samples whilst simultaneously eating some yummy stuff. You really have to see it to believe my masterful technique.
STAFFs' faces when THEY realised that I smelled even better now really cracked me up!
Oh, but STAFF took terrible revenge. Here I have to watch THEM eat, whilst I am going hungry. Now, why do I always have to eat last? Huh?! Do I look happy to wait? Do I? Course not.
But finally fed and watered I retreat to the comfort of the Gangmobil to watch the sun set. I am very toasty. STAFF look cold to me. Perhaps THEY should have brought some blankets? You know, in addition to the two I clearly needed?
In the morning, after a cold night, I chanced upon a heavenly heap. Like a mirage it appeared before me! You wouldn't have to roll in this! This you could dive into headfirst and do a frontcrawl, eat some on the way, and emerge a total Babe Magnet! Ooooohhhh, I could hardly believe my luck! -- Sadly, I spent too much time in shivery anticipation and wasn't quick enough with the action. STAFF, most cruelly, intercepted my morning swim.
I was watching the sun rise over our home from home. Hoping that it would bring warming rays! After a cold night it was still barely 5ºC and I was hungry and cold to boot.
Nice view or no, I still did not enjoy watching STAFF gobble down a nice hot cooked breakfast, whilst I had, you guessed it, nothing.
Finally, some grub. And kept warm by my nice winter coat. Aaaah, better. Much, much better!

The only slight concern I have is that STAFF might think we should go again. I am a bit concerned temperature-wise. But I really do enjoy these camping trips.

It feels like my birthday's come early!

I am 10 years old now! Does that mean I have to act maturely all the time? I hope not! I certainly didn't manage to show much restraint with opening the cool parcels I received from all over the world. I have so many friends! I am really lucky! ..... You should see STAFF on THEIR birthdays - lucky if THEY get one card between THEM. Anyway, I digress.

Trouble is that people always package stuff in such a way that it is very hard to open without opposable thumbs. This package was all the way from two very cute Weimaraner ladies in South Carolina, USA. Oh, yes! Even the packaging smelled nnnnnnnice! If you catch my meaning.

Luckily I employ STAFF, who - with some supervision - can operate scissors and help me gain access to the promising package of delights!
As soon as it was open I went right in there. Aw, the scents were giving me goosebumps!

And look at the cool stuff they sent! A lion! I shall call him Leo. He shall be my BFF and I shall never, ever, ever, ever play with another toy! It was love at first sight and it will never, ever, ever die! Leo and I shall be friends, even when.....hold on!

Is that really a Squirrel? SQUIRREL! Move over Lionel, Leo, whatver! Cyril Squirrel is my new BFF and I shall love him forever!

Aw, I feel bad. Leo looked so saaaad. Come on you guys! My slobberchops are big enough to kill both of you!

There, that's better, isn't it?

And a birthday card, too! How sweet! How thoughtful!

Wow, I wonder what special stuff could be wrapped in Hello Kitty paper?

Oh my! Doggles! How very, very cool!

I am so totally an adventurer!

I am making plans for much excitement this year! Hopefully the STAFF will be able to keep up!

Preparing for an adventure holiday with Dr. Otto Jones

The STAFF, no doubt in an attempt to suck up to me (which I always like to encourage), have mentioned that we're going on an adventure holiday. Excellent!

In preparation for the adventure I dusted down my Indiana Jones hat. Now, all I need is adventure, somewhere to dig, new places to smell and eat out every night. And I am sure that looking like Dr Otto "Indy" Jones cannot hurt when making the acquaintance of any l-adees I might meet on the trip.