The Call of the West Coast

We had a great time during the last three weeks on the island of Sealand. It did the girls a lot of good to experience a change of surroundings, have people and other dogs venture right outside of our front door.

Revenge of the Shih Tzu

"Woof, woof!" Both Tilde and Zerline were barking at the little Shih Tzu who passed by the fence.

To Wart Or Not To Wart

As soon as Zerline noticed the group of people she was away, loudly barking at the approaching "threat". Tilde was right behind her, equally displeased it seemed. A Hovawart arrest was eminent.

The Symphony

I wasn't wrong with my prophecy. "Dit is een goed stel hoor," excuse my Dutch.

The Joy Dog

It's Tilde's 6th birthday today. Maybe. She was born somewhere around February 17, 2013. That much we do know.

Distraction

A dog and his person appeared on the horizon. We don't meet many people this time of the year. Most avoid the wind-swept West-coast during Winter. But there are like-minded people who, like us, seek the solitude.

Band of Equals

More than a decade ago, when I visited Kenzo's breeder for my first Hovawart puppy, Kenzo quickly lost his interest in me during our initial greeting. He just sat down, with his side casually leaning against a fence while looking out over the fields adjacent to the breeder's house. Watching the grass grow seemed a whole lot more interesting than us, he seemed to think.

A Touch of Crazy

"They are crazy," my friend said. I could hear the astonishment in her voice.

Like Me, Like Me Not

With the last guests leaving in the coming weekend, a two and a half month streak of welcoming visitors is coming to an end. Apart from their incident, which both Tilde and Zerline luckily already seem to have forgotten, it was good to be around people again.

Licking Our Wounds

What never should happen has happened.

Conversations With A Hovawart #8: Tough

"Why do you look so pale?"

Hidden Talents

What before was her cute little puppy sister is now a teenager. Bigger, heavier, maybe even stronger, than Tilde. And the teenager knows it too.

Emil of The Woods

His name is Emil of The Woods. Can you remember him? He was one of Kenzo's, and is Tilde's, best friend. He will be one of the main characters of the book I am writing. Like Tilde, also Emil is an "of The Woods", and no, they are not family.

A Heated Affair

"Watch out!" I shouted to Merete who stepped forward to reach for Zerline's leash. Too late. With Tilde already pulling her leash, the full force of Zerline made me loose my balance. I smashed into Merete and we both spiraled down to the ground.

Happy 5th Tilde

"Let's mark the occasion!" I shouted during our morning walk, and started to draw the letters in the sand.

Running

"Their joy is contagious."

Seasonal Greetings

We leave the house at 4pm, a sunset is imminent. Zerline has a golden glow in the sunlight which is still bright. She is seven months old now, already an experienced sunset chase companion. In the distance the highest dune in the direct vicinity around us looms from the fog that starts to drift in. We hurry over for a good view of the sunset.

Life Changed

I open my eyes and have a peek around me from under the covers. No wonder I am feeling so warm. Tilde is laying curled up between my legs and Zerline is laying fully stretched out on my side. I feel her warm breath blowing in my neck.

A Dog's Summer

"Tilde No!". Too late. Tilde jumped the fence and was out of sight, chasing the bunny on full speed. That'll be the end of this particular fence solution I thought.

Conversations With A Hovawart #5: Puppy Class

"Can we have a word?"

Oh no, I thought, not the union again. Zerline could read my mind.