Yoghurt

Over the last few days, we have got yoghurt on top of our food. Paula and Daniel do things like this occasionally, adding extra treats to our dog food. I usually like it, and yoghurt is no exception. I do wonder, though, why we have got it for a few days in a row. The extra treats are usually just given to us for single days. It is not that I complain, far from it. I do not think there is some hidden, malicious intent behind it, not with our humans. It is just that this is out of the ordinary. Sometimes, I wish we got extra treats on top of our food every day, but then again, it would not feel as good if we got it that often. We will have to see if we get yoghurt tomorrow as well. I hope we will.

Ontake Volcano

I am concerned about the news I have read about the volcano eruption of Mount Ontake in Japan. The eruption came without any warning. Many humans have been reported dead or missing. I feel sorry for their family, especially for their dogs, who will have a hard time understanding why their humans do not return. The conditions on the mountain is still dangerous, so much that rescue work has been suspended. I hope there will be no more casualties.

The Respiratory System

Paula is studying to become a specialised nurse on intensive care. She studies the reapiratory system today, that is the body organs which we use to breathe. I cannot think of anybody whom I know hve had problems with the reapiratory system, but I guess some must have. I am glad I don't. It is rather comfortable being able to breathe without any trouble, when you think about it.

Autumn

Hello, Karstuhl here!

Daniel mowed the lawn for the last time this season today. This was good, not only because the grass got shorter, but also because fallen leaves got shred to pieces, not being so obvious as before. Daniel and I like autumn. It is the season which is fairly warm, when the bugs are not around anymore, and the air is fresh and clear.

Cozy Friday

We have a rather new word in the Swedish language: "fredagsmys". It means "Friday coziness" and stands for the calm Friday evenings you can have with the family at the end of the work week. I do not think there is a good word in English for it. Anyway, we spent this Friday evening like this. It was nice.

Good Priorities

Daniel always gets his salary on the 25th of each month. Today, when he had received the money, he went to the pet shop and purchased more dog food. He knows his priorities.

This was a short blog post, but sometimes, I do not have to say more, do I?

Alien Animals and Plants

I read that there were plans to use dogs in the customs service to smell for foreign plants and animals. This is animals and plants who do not naturally belong here and who may endanger animals and plants who have lived here for a very long time. The danger increases with more commerce. It is good to know dogs can be of service in this area, as in so many other areas.

Frost

Hello, Karstuhl here!

We had a beautiful morning today, with ice crystals almost all over the ground, and the sun shining from a clear blue sky. Daniel had to dress for the cold. This makes the wait for the morning walk a little longer, but we have to endure that. We have our own fur coats which regulates our heat down to at least 20 degrees Celsius below the freezing point. Daniel cannot help he is a human, with origin in tropical Africa, and lacks a furry coat that can keep his body heat inside. It is good he have clothes instead. I would not want to trade my coat for clothes, though. I do not think any dog would want to, but my black and tan coat is also more beautiful than most, if I may be so bold as to say so. It is good to be a Shiba.

Chocolate Pudding

Paula and Daniel had some chocolate pudding tonight. It seems to be tasty, but as always when things contain cocoa, they will not allow us dogs to taste. It is said cocoa contains a substance which is toxic for dogs. I have never really figured out whether this is true, or whether it is just something made up by humans to keep chcolate from us. Rumour has it, some dogs have eaten chocolate and not only survived, but having experienced no negative effects. I wonder what is true. On the other hand, there are many other tasty things in the world, so maybe we do not need chocolate. I hope so.

Singapore

The Singapore GP in Formula 1 gives a clear picture of different time zones around the world. It is driven at night, but aired live in the afternoon in Europe. This is quite cool. It means we can watch the race at the same time as we usually watch the races driven in Europe.

This year's Singapore GP was driven today. It was not as exciting as we would have hoped. Mercedes are dominating this year, when one of their drivers did not finish, there was no question about that the other Mercedes driver would win. The fight for second place involved three cars, they drove very close for the whole second half of the race, but nobody overtook anybody else.

Well, Formula 1 is always formula 1. It is almost as exciting as dog shows. We hope for a better race next time. The next race is the 5th of aoctober in Japan, it is always extra fun to watch a competition in Japan.

Going Shopping

Paula went into the city centre with her Mum today, shopping. I would have wanted to come, but then, most shops will not allow dogs inside. I find this strange. Dogs are a vital part of human society, still, many humans do not like us. As this is the case, I guess I really have a better time at home.

"No" Won

The People of Scotland voted no. scotland will still be part of the UK. I guess this is good. They have common rules on quarantine for dogs in the UK.

Referendum in Scotland

The humans who live in Scotland vote in a referendum today on whether Scotland will become independent or still be a (fully equal) part of the United Kingdom. I cannot see the advantage of becoming independent, it must be better to be part of a mightier country. If independence is what the Scotsmen wish for, I would say the most important part of Scottish society is independent already, since Scotland has a national Kennel Club of its own. They also have a national football team of their own. Who needs more independence than that?

The Second Smartest Animal

Humans are probably the smartest animal around. This does not mean every human os very smart, but on average, I have to say humans are smarter than the average dog.

Some humans, however, doubt that dogs are the second smartest animal. There are some species of monkeys who are contenders of the title, as well as dolphins. I am not in doubt, though. If those animals would be so smart, why is it that they have not been smart enough to make friends with humans, taking all the advantage of human culture that they can? Dogs have chosen to live with humans for the last 40,000 years, cooperating with them. We are "mans best friend". This is proof that we are smarter than any other animals.

Mind you, human civilisation would not be the same, but much worse of, if it was not for us dogs. This is a factor never mentioned in the article that I have made a link to, but it is important. We are smart enough to aid to human smartness.

Clean Sheets

Hello, Karstuhl here!

Once in a while, Paula or Daniel changea sheets in the bed. It is nice with clean sheets, but I believe it is better when you have had the sheets for a couple of days. By then, while still clean, they smell of all of us, which is comforting. Daniel changed the sheets today, so now we have to hang around in the bed for a while, to gove it that comforting smell. It is, nevertheless, a nice task, since lying in clean sheets is also very comfortable. Life is good.

General Election

We had a general election yesterday, humans chosing other humans to decide over society. Daniel was a candidate. He got re-elected to the city council, but is disappointed his party did not do better.

I do not care much. I cannot say human politics affects dogs that much. There are Swedish rules on animal welfare and rules against animal cruelty. This is important, but the politicians pretty much have the same ideas in thos area. Other areas of politics does not interest me much. Thankfully, Daniel accepts this.

Kobayashi Will Not Be Here

It is time for Örebro Race Day. A part of central Örebro will be closed and turned into a raceway, where Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson from our small neighbour town Kumla will drive a Caterham Formula 1 car. We will not be there.

Daniel is interested in Formula 1, but is also a candidate to the city council in the general election tomorrow. He believes it is more important to participate in the campaign.

My fellow Shibas and I would have liked to go, if Marcus Ericsson's team mate Kamui Kobayashi would have been there. He is from Japan, like our breed, and he is a better driver than Marcus Ericsson. We have learned, however, that Kamui Kobayashi will not come. In this case, we will not come either. There are better things to do at home.

Back Home

Paula has been away from home for a while. She came back home tonight. Most of the time when she does this, she goes to a dog show, so I speculated a little on whether she would bring any of us dogs with her. She did not. It turned out she was going away with some friends from work to watch a musical. I cannot see why anybody would do this, rather than going to a dog show. At least I did not have to be jealous of any other dog going to a dog show, when I was not. We all Said welcome home to Paula.

Tired

Hello, Karstuhl here!

I am tired. I want to sleep. Have to write a blog entry, though.

There you go, one blog entry written. Now I can go to sleep. Good night!

Shrimps

Daniel fried some shrimps today. It smelled good, bit I did not get any. He said we had already got food, which was true, but I have never understood how this could be a valid argument. I have always room in my stomach for more treats.

Nishikori Lost the Final

Well, Japanese US Open finalist Nishikori did not win. Marin Cilic from Croatia did. Congratulations to him. It was still a step forward for Nishikori and Japanese tennis. We hope for new chances to win a Grand Slam tournament next year.

US Open

Japanese professinal tennis player Kei Nishikori is playing the mens' single final in the Grand Slam tournament US Open. I would have hoped the game would have been played a little earlier, so I could write a blog entry about it on Monday, Swedish time. Unfortunately, though, this did not happen. I will come back to the subject after a night's sleep. Now I just have to be happy a Japanese player is in the final.

Retirement

As a show dog, you have no fixed age of retirement. You may retire, but then make many come backs. Mum came back to take her final title in 2012, when she became Norwegian Veteran Winner.

Humans often retire at the age of 65 years old. Paula's mother turned 65 today, and retired some days earlier. She is, however, healthy and fit; in my mind, she could also make come backs many times, if she wanted to. We congratulate her on her birthday, while certain that she will have many great years ahead of her.

No Conection

If anybody owonders why I did not post any blog entry yesterday, it is because I failed to get an Internet connection, when I was about to write a post. I was luckier today, as I usually am.

Qualifying

The Japanese Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi made a splendid come back in the qualification to the Italian GP today, after being sidestepped for one race. He beat both cars from the Marussia team, the harshest competitors to his own Caterham team in the lower end of the field. His Swedish team mate Marcus Ericsson did not do a job this good, he scored the least good time of all drivers. I have always held Kobayashi in high regard, not just because he is from Japan. He is a very good driver. I believe he should drive a better car than a Caterham. We will see what team wants him next year.

Not Usual

Hello, Orange here!

This turned out to be an odd evening, in a pleasant way. auntie Linni, who is old, but dear to us all, decided to sleep in the bed tonight. Many. Of us do this most nights, but Linni often sleep in a sofa in the living room or in a low dog bed. I like it better to have her closer to me. Linni has taught me a lot about life, she deserves to sleep wherever she wants, but this is my favourite among her choices.

Walking the Walk

Sometimes, you have to walk in a certain fashion. Dogs do it all the time in the show rings at dog shows. Soldiers are supposed to do it, while on duty outside of Buckingham Palace in London. There was, however, one soldier who did not, and was captured on video. He is now investigated by the military. I think it is correct not to let him walk anyway he wants to. He has signed up for the job as a soldier, then he has to follow the rules that comes with the job. He has to walk the walk.

Scientists Learn What Sheepdogs Know

Scientists have made research on the work of sheepdogs and how they herd sheep. This might be interesting for the scientists. A shepherd, however, did not think there were any new knowledge discovered. The scientists had merely mapped what sheepdogs and shepherds have known for a long time. Well, science is sometimes about describing what os already known. I still think it is good scientists are interested in how dogs work.

Half a Month until My Birthday

My birthday is the 15th of September. Today is the 1st. It is, thus, just half a month until I can celebrate my birthday. I hope there will be a lot of candy, treats, and other goodies. Apart from this, I have no particular demands. It will be fun, nevertheless.