Spring!!!

Here's a happy thought for you: today after school the snow had finally melt enough for us to open the gate into one of the big 3 acre fenced fields. I let all the oldies and youngies out in the field with me for a walk. This was the first time for Sammy (from Little Paws), Miss Coco (also from Little Paws), and 14.5 year old greyhound Nala in the big field, as they came over the winter to Hundenruhe Haven. The delight on the face of Coco when she realized that she was allowed to putz and putter in this huge space was priceless. Nala the greyhound was play-bowing and running, and little Sammy couldn't get enough of tearing around at top speed after little puppy mill rat terrier Metoo (aged 5) around and around the field. All of the rest of the Hundenruhe babies (ten more!) were all doing their own thing and it was marvelous. Tulip (thank heavens she's still with us for now!) did her first patrol for heffalumps and woozles - she was SO happy to get out in "her" field! Twig found several long-lost toys buried under snow all winter and had such trouble deciding which to bring for me to kick across the field for her. Tiny Olive was digging for bunny "prizes" under the remaining snow piles and brothers Obie and Skylar were running back and forth between me and all the other dogs, joyfully leaping and bounding back to Mommy each time. Even the iggies were having fun. Ancient Rudy (17!) was running and barking at everyone he encountered and Sophia walked the fenceline all the way to the end of the field and back. Uncle Mort tottered around doing his Uncle Mort business. We never really know what he's thinking! Little Baci stayed on the porch and watched because he's so afraid of being run over. My project this summer is to try to get him to join us more on our group walkies.
This is the best moment of the year for me every year - that first breath of spring, and the end of puppy cabin fever!

Spam and Coco - Yum!

It's been an exciting couple of weeks around here! Two wonderful new additions to the Hundenruhe Haven family have joined us from Little Paws Rescue in Iowa. Sammy is a powderpuff Chinese Crested dog, who is 11 years old. He's a riot, full of fun and loving to follow us around the house, standing on his hinder legs to beg, and learning to chase Mimi and Twig around the yard. His parents had to move into a rest home, so he came to live with us last Saturday. His arrival was delayed by a week because I had to have an emergency appendectomy!! I've never had surgery before, so it was quite a novel experience, to say the least. I am back to work and feeling pretty good now, thank heavens.
Today I met DeeAnn and Cathy in Madison to pick up Coco, a 12 year old rat terrier. She was picked up as a stray, and originally was owned by a couple who gave her to someone...you know the story. Anyway, no one seemed to want the old girl, and Little Paws' foster homes were all full, so we took her in. She seems to be settling well, and reminds me a lot of our dear, departed Sadie. So, it's nice to have a Grandma Rattie back in the house again!
Both of the new kids are chunky monkeys (hence Sammy's new nickname of Spam), so there's some dieting going on here, as well as the hope for an early spring and walkies in the big fields.
Welcome to Hundenruhe! I hope you find your peace here...

Toot - Toot- Toody, Good-bye. We'll love you forever.

I am sad, sad, sad to let you know that Roody has passed away. He had finally gotten over his fear of men (he'd been cuddling on Dan's lap the last few nights), his need to love the ladies, and his inability to eat on his own. He'd gained weight and his coat just shined. Unfortunately, he also had some sort of cancer wrapping itself around his bowels. Roody's pain got to be too much and today we let him go to the bridge to run free with the others. Run free, you old lecher! Even if he wasn't with us for long, he knew he was loved.

Run Free, Racer Boy

New Year has gone on his way, racing to the bridge. His arthritis finally overcame his will and he was unable to get up or stay on his feet. We released him from his pain this afternoon.

He was with us for a little over a year, recently celebrating his 14th birthday with us. New Year was lucky enough to spend his last year with open fields to run in (when he was feeling a bit spry-er), specially purchased giant-sized beds to snooze on, and tons of ear rubs and back massages. New Year was the only dog I've ever met that had temper tantrums. When someone else was on his bed, Newy would stand next to the bed and mournfully look from the bed to one of us, barking and stamping his front feet. The world was too small to contain his huge spirit...

Just Plain Cute

Here's Baci avoiding Twig's "girl germs" and Roody - Toody on a typical chilly winter day (in front of the electric fireplace!).

OK, OK, I Guess She's Not So Bad...

After much pacing, barking, paw-stomping and general tantrum behavior, New Year finally decided that Nala wasn't moving off of his bed, so he joined her. Sweet, huh?

Happy New Year!

Dan and I hope that 2010 will be the best year ever - for us and for you! May your pockets be filled with wealth, your homes filled with love, your hearts filled with peace, and your couches filled with puppies!