My Territory

Tilde takes her responsibility to expel any intruders from her property quite seriously.

Snake Encounters, A Narrow Escape

Nobody got hurt and Tilde is fine.

Our latest encounter with a viper, the only venomous snake in Denmark, almost went terribly wrong. I hadn't noticed the snake until it already was too late. It was warming itself in the morning sun, still sluggish, and didn't move out of our way in time, what it normally would have done.

Having Fun Is Not Optional

Last Saturday, Emil was our guest. It was a lot to take in for him, being away from his "mom" and caretaker, Dina, for a whole day.

Running The Wet Gauntlet

One moment you're playing with your toy in the surf, imaginary rescuing it from drowning, just to cruelly throw it back and rescue it again. Suddenly you hear a rumbling sound approach and you realize you lowered your guard, carried away by all the fun you're having.

Conversations With A Hovawart #2: Phone Home

I am on my way home from a trip to Århus in the North of Denmark and decide to phone home, anxious to hear if Tilde is behaving.

Conversations With A Hovawart #1: Treasure Hunt

"I think I am on to something."

"Good girl, Tilde! Keep on searching!"

We have been training to search for money lately. It seems premature to expect too much. On the other hand, it is not the first time I have underestimated my own ridiculously fabulous dog training skills.

Conversations With A Hovawart

Lucky me. I just read on the Internet a study finds "talking to your dog is a sign of intelligence." Which is good news. I am not turning old and senile after all. On the contrary. My conversations with Tilde are a sign of a sharp mind and cunning wit.

Remind Me Again, Who Rescued Who?

Today three years ago, we went to the shelter to rescue Tilde, ignorant of the fact we would board a roller-coaster without brakes that very same day. Words like mischief and mayhem have a whole new meaning to me since then.

It was a good day. I remember how Kenzo and Tilde followed each other all over the place when we got home. Just smiling and enjoying each other's company.

The Nose Knows

Easter honored its reputation for new beginnings, the start of Spring, and the return of light. The weather took a turn for the better and with time-off from work we had ample time on our hands to play "Lost", one of our favorite games. In "Lost" we get dropped in unknown territory and let Tilde's nose decide which path to take.

A Tale Of Two Easter Bunnies

Once upon a time, during an Easter holiday.

Please Don't Leave Me

We waved goodbye to Emil. He had just visited Tilde and looked back at us one last time from the car's rear window. One of the best things of returning to Copenhagen is to see the two of them reunite for a play date. They are more than best friends. Tilde adores him. He is her shining star and idol. If Tilde would have been a teenage girl, the walls of her room would be covered with posters of Emil.

A Hovawart's Throne

Hovawart on her throne

Every Hovawart has a throne and Tilde is no exception. She has an issue though. Her throne is standing back home in Copenhagen, a long way from where we normally stay on the West coast. She was reunited with it last week when we made a visit home.

Tilde's Revenge And The Return Of The Seal

This is how it started:

That moment when you find out what she is dragging along turns out to be a decomposing seal, you first thought is "PLEASE don't roll in it!" just before she does.... #toolate #bathtime #yuk #gross #hovawart #shitbag

A post shared by Tilde and Leo (@leoschelt) on Mar 15, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRqeAc4hOv9/

The story could have ended right there and then with the aforementioned bath but with Tilde sometimes endings need to be rewritten.

Hovawart TV: Hurry Up!

When you are a Hovawart - or any dog for that matter - you know what is most important.

One of your family members getting further and further away, even if she is occupied in her search for amber, is definitely a no-go.

But how do you make that douche-bag in the rear to get it? Hurry up for pete's sake!



https://youtu.be/dGoqTnSCOcQ

What Is A Breeding Committee and Why Is It Important?

Today I turn the blog over to Claus Harding Hansen from the Danish Hovawart Club, who will reveal what those mysterious Breeding Committee's in Hovawart breed clubs exactly are doing behind the scenes, and why their work is important.

Hovawart TV: A Farewell To Winter

With Winter officially ending, so does our Winter adventure on the West-coast.

It is isolated on the West-coast this time of year. Shops and restaurants close. Tourists leave. Roads even close. Most locals close off their cottages too, as they are not build to withstand the cold of Winter when the relentless forces of nature reveal themselves and storms and freezing rain-showers batter the West-coast to change it into a barren wasteland.

In other words, perfect for a man and his dog.

The Horse Chase

Spending some time for work and visiting friends and family in Kijkduin, Holland, I was already looking forward to take Tilde to the beach later during the day. Dogs are allowed off the lead throughout the year on this particular beach and I know the place well. Tilde has been there a couple of times before and enjoyed it too. A lot of locals visit the beach. The familiar city weekend-warriors. No doubt Tilde could have some fun and embarrass me along the way.