A Note on Nora

Well our Nora is recuperating from her operation but not without some problems. As the drugs wear off the soreness set in and she took to licking her incision. This caused irritation and there was a possibility of infection. So this morning she and I made a trip to the vet's - she walked the six blocks back with much stopping to smell, if not the roses, then the souvenirs of other dogs along with way. And she also was more than pleased that there was a water fountain on the way. She has taken to immersing her head in the stream of water to get a drink - not a bad idea when the thermometer is hitting 38c.

Dr Porcino, who has several daschies of his own, recommended either an Elizabethan collar or a baby's jumper as a deterrent. We decided the jumper would be too hot in this weather so went for the collar.

Is there anything sadder than a puppy in one of those damn collars? In the top photo we have Nora as noble sufferer; then we get the pathetic puppy look that is guaranted to cause guilt in the soul of the uncaring bastard that put that thing around her neck.

And Nora must have read a few of the comments I got because she's been making Nicky pay for remaining intact. He can't go anywhere near her at the moment without get a low threatening growl and a snap. He's use to the play fighting and is totally confused by what's going on. Like its his fault? And of course we will pay for the collar with loss of sleep if she decides to move around during the night.

25 agosto - San Luigi IX di Francia

Puppy Points

Its not exactly like I've been getting hate mail but a few people - and you know who you are - have been suggesting that frankly they could give a pinch of Parmesan as to what I'll be doing the next little while. How are the puppies? What are they up to? Where are the pictures? Well to be honest I'm a little leery of turning this into the Nicky and Nora site. Let's admit it showing puppy pictures all the time can be as irritating as your cousin Harold who pulls out photos of little Smeadly's first diaper change. And I don't want to become that irritating. But in response to those who find my life less interesting than that of two dwarf wire-haired daschies, here you go.

• The two of them are constantly fighting and it does seem to get pretty ferocious at times. I've been assured this is just puppy play and this too will pass. I've noticed that more often than not Nicky will start it and then play poor-put-upon puppy.

• Nora is a barker - and won't we have to stop that - and Nicky is a whiner. I remember our first daschie being the mistress of the whine. She had a whine for every occasion - sort of like our local Enoteca (wine shop).



• One website tells me that you should use the equation of months old+one to calculate how long a puppy should be able to hold out before becoming the Trevi Fountain. While another says only the number of months. There would seem to be times when Nicky uses the equation: number of months divided by two.

• The breeder gave us instructions for feeding which we both found rather strange but we've followed them: 15 - 20 grams of dry food, a teaspoon of honey and 1/4 cup of milk. No one else we know has ever heard of this.



• While I was on the group walk of San Lorenzo on Monday I mentioned to one of the ladies that we were getting up every morning around 0400 with the puppies. She was incredulous - why didn't I just crate them with the door open and leave a puppy pad nearby? Well we've tried it for three nights and it seems to work.


• And whoever told me that since I was training one puppy I might as well train two, is going to get a good talking to!

Oops sorry, someone's scratching at the door to get out: progress we have progress!

07 maggio - Santa Virginia

Homecomings

This appears to be a week of homecomings around here. After 10 very busy days in Montreal Laurent arrived home last Sunday. I came home from a brief hospital stay earlier today and today is also homecoming day for Nick and Nora, the latest additions to our household.

We've been using Raising Spot, a great little site, to refresh our memories on how to handle a new puppy - or as in this case two new puppies. Its been a long time since we've heard the patter of tiny paws on the carpets - correction they've all been lifted, make that the marble, which Aileen has been told not to wax. From the looks of it we may be in for a few sleepless nights until things settle down. I've made one promise to Laurent - no food from the table and I mean to keep it.

Hopefully I'll have a few pictures to post later today so everyone can get to know Nick and Nora.

24 aprile - San Fedele da Sigmaringen

And Puppy Dogs' Tales

I mentioned a bit earlier that we were seriously thinking about getting another dog. I mean we all knew that eventually the subject of another dog would come up seriously but every time it has in the last little while I simply said Nope! I've had a hard time dealing with the loss of our Reesieman - to the point that in May when I saw this handsome fellow in Trento I almost lost it. The owner must have thought I was crazy but after fussing over him I asked if I could take a picture. And I'm not too sure the pup was all that impressed either.


Then we were at our friends Linda and Nazareno's place outside of Rome on Saturday and I met Pablo. Pablo isn't really their dog but I don't think either he or Nazareno know that. Theoretically he belongs to the very nice couple next door but a year or two ago they got some sort of little lap dog who took over the house. Pablo now spends more time with Nazareno than with his "owners." Pablo discovered that I was willing to give pats, belly rubs and chin scratches so I became the second most important human in the place. And it felt great, and right, to be eating dinner with one hand and rubbing a puppy - even a big overgrown puppy - tummy with the other.


Then my friend Yannis in Athens goes and posts these pictures of his whippet Rama's new pup. Rama sired this gorgeous little boy who must be about 6 weeks old now. He was the only pup in the litter, which I found strange but apparantly does happen. Rama doesn't seem all that impressed with his handwork but I sure am. That is one handsome pup and the colouring and markings are beautiful. And those eyes!!!

All that to say that once we get the summer over with - its going to be full with visitors and travel, not the best atmosphere for introducing a dog into a house - we're going to be looking for a puppy to adopt us.

15 lulgio - San Bonaventura