April Has Left Us

We have received the sad news that our friend April, mother of Javier and other red Shibas, has passed away.

April used to live with us, but moved to Uppland last spring to have a family of her own. She had a nice time there, as far as we can understand. Last week, she did not feel well, however, and at a visit to the veterinarian, she was diagnosed with cancer. It had spread to many parts of her body, so there was no chance of operating it, like it was in my case last winter.

I am sure April has a good afterlife, she was such a gentle and caring friend.

More Daylight

Finally, we have no more daylight saving time. This means we have daylight again on our morning walks. I like this. It is so much easier to get up and go out for a walk, when there is daylight. This comes every year about this time, but is equally welcome every year.

For those of you who want more daylight in the afternoon than in the morning, I suggest you move to Galicia or Iceland.

Cutting Claws

Hello, Orange here!

I had my claws cut today. My three pups also had their claws cut. It was about time for them, they are three weeks old today and their claws had grown accordingly. It will be nicer for them and for me, now that their claws are a little shorter. They are genuine Shibas, however, protesting the invasion of privacy that the cutting of claws are. Daniel did well as cutter of claws of the pups, under my supervision, of course. I do not let any harm come to my pups. I know Daniel is gentle, but my supervision is still needed. It soothes the pups as well. Everything turned out fine, just as expected.

Meat

Hello, Polly here!

Late last night, Daniel came home with a bucket full of moose meat. We had been given this by Paula's father. I was disappointed, however, that Daniel put all the meat in the freezer. There was none of this meat thawed for us to eat today, either.

What is the purpose of getting great meat, if you just tuck it away in the freezer? I would like to eat some of it. This is what I would have done, had I been the one who got the meat. On the other paw, I do not think the others would have been pleased with me, if I would have eaten it all up myself. Perhaps it was just as well that Daniel got the meat. He is fair when sharing things. I think I am fair, when taking things for myself, but I know nobody else think so. It might be better not to make the others upset.

Number One Music Albums

I have never been much into music. I do not know of any dog who is. We can enjoy a good tune, but it is not like we become fans of musicians or buy their records. Still, there is one news story this week that is interesting. Thirtynine years after his death in 1977, rock icon Elvis Presley has gotten a thirteenth album to top the UK chart. By this, he is second only to the Beatles, who has had fifteen. It is amazing that Elvis Presley can still sell so much, so long time after his premature death. I just wonder how many top spots he had had, had he still been alive today.

No Rain

We have had a little rain on and of for many days now, but not today. There was even a little sunshine today. We do not like this, because we need rain. We just have to hope for more rain in the days to come.

Telephone Conference

Daniel was at home the whole evening today. Yet, he managed to devote all evening to a telephone conference. There was no cozy moments in the sofa tonight.

The telephone conference was a board meeting of the Swedish Spitz Breeds' Club, so it was important. We still think it went on for too long. Talking about dogs for many hours can never be more important than spending time with your dogs for a fraction of that time.

I hope we will get more time with Daniel tomorrow night.

Ideas

It happens occasionally, that I believe I have had a great idea for a blog entry, but that I have forgotten about it, once I come around a computer or other device, where I can write in my blog. This is a little annoying. I believe I had such an idea today. Now I cannot remember what the idea was. The question is, really: if it was such a great idea, why can I not remember it? Great ideas should stick firmly on your mind, shouldn't they?

Normally, I get other good ideas for blog entries. This was not the case today. I guess there was some kind of blog entry, anyway. I have written worse before.

The Dogs that Saved a Whole Town

In the winter of 1925, the Alaskan town of Nome was isolated, when a serious case of diphteria broke out. The whole population could have died. Siberian Husky sled dogs managed to get medicines to the town in time, however, saving about 10,000 lives. Please read the story, it is quite fascinating.

Breakfast Away from Home

This Sunday, Daniel left all of us dogs alone in the morning, to have breakfast with Paula's family. They all surely had a great time, breakfast is a great thing.

I wish I could have come. It was said I could not come, because my granddaughter Soya would be there. I do not really understand this reason. I would have told her who was highest in rank, then everything would have been perfectly peaceful and fine.

Later on, we had a nice afternoon and night, so over all, it was a nice Sunday.

A Little Rain

It has been raining most of the day, but not much. We still would like to get a lot more rain, in order to raise the level of water underground and fill up our well. There is usually mich more rain than this on any given autumn.

On the other hand, there have always been years with extreme weather, one way or the other. This year, we have had an extremely dry autumn. It is just the way nature is. You can never expect this weather or that. This also makes life a little more interesting.

Interesting as it may be, enough is enough, and I believe there should be much more rain now.

The US Grand Prix

In my Mom's home country, the United States of America, most focus is on the Presidential election. The election is early in November, the new president will be sworn in next January, and it is still uncertain who is closest to winning the election.

This weekend, the US Grand Prix in Formula 1 will be decided. I like a Grand Prix better than an election. It is entertainment from start to finish. The winner gets on the podium just minutes after the finish, not two months later, like the newly elected US President. Still, I know most Americans are not very interested in Formula 1. I believe they should be. What if the incumbent US President would present the trophy to the Grad Prix winner? This might boost the interest.

Daniel and I will watch the Grand Prix. We are not sure we will stay up during the election night.

A Dog for an Autistic Boy

An autistic boy eho lives with his family in Japan, and who refuses to touch any other human being, has been given a service dog. The boy hugs his dog. He is uninhibited by his autism, when interacting with the dog.

I am not surprised. If there is any animal more social with humans than even other humans are, it is the dog.

This only goes to prove, once again, how important dogs can be for humans, and what a vital part of civilisation dogs are.

Not Coming Back

Hello, Orange here!

Today, another one of Karen's pups left us, going to her new home. She will certainly also have a good new home.

Paula did not come back home either today. This was for different reasons. She got a new medicine last week, but it turns out she could not stomach it – quite litteraly. Her stomach went bad, when she used the medicine. This is no good, but she is in good hands at the hospital. We hope she gets well soon, and if she stays at the hospital, chances are greater she will.

The reasons for not coming home to us are different, but this is life. There are so many different things happening in life. This makes life more exciting, and I like that.

A New Home for a Pup

Hello, Orange here!

My sister Karen got a litter of three pups about seven weeks before my latest litter was born. Her litter turned eight weeks old today. They went to the veterinarian for a check up, and everything was fine, which is no surprise. Then the male pup of her litter was picked up by his new family. They also said hello to me. It seemed like a nice couple, I am sure Karen's son will have a nice home with them. Meanwhile, I attend to my own pups. They are slightly more precious to me, but this is as it should be, isn't it? I hope for the best for all pups, but most of all for mine. It is so easy to love them, so I am sure they will have great lives. Karen's pups will too, I believe.

A Little Rain

We have received a little rain today. This is the first time in many days that we have had any precipitation whatsoever. The land is very dry. We have had problems with the water level in the well.

I hope we will get more rain in the days before. We all need it, dogs, humans, trees, grass, deer, etc. There is usually a lot of rain in the autumn, it just has not been much this year. I hope it will come soon, a lot of it. Time will tell.

Visitors

Hello, Orange here!

A week ago today, I gave birth to three wonderful red pups. There are two boys and one girl. I just love taking care of them.

Today, the pups had the first visit of humans, a young couple who will most certainly take care of one of the boys, when he is old enough. They stayed for just a little while, which is good when the pups are so small, but they seem like very nice people. I believe my son will get a good life in their care.

Billions

We have started to watch a new Tv show: Billions. It is American, like most great Tv shows. This one is much better than average. I can highly recommend it. You just have to find it on HBO or a channel near you.

This show was the reason I did not write any blog entry yesterday. We just watched two episodes in a row, and then it was pasta midnight. This is how good the show is.

Working from Home

Daniel did not go to work today, he sat at home working instead. It is nice when he does this, I wish he could do it more often.

One reason for Daniel to stay at home, was to be home when we would get some help. The help never showed up, however. Daniel will call to orrow morning. If we are lucky, he can be at home tomorrow, too.

Cold

Hello, Karstuhl here!

Daniel has got a cold. He is sneezing and coughing. It is a little annoying, even though I want to feel sorry for him. It is mixed feelings. I hope he gets well soon, for his sake, but selfishly also for my own sake. On the other hand, if you wish someone well for his sake, there is nothing wrong in wishing the same for your own sake as well, is there? It is not that you have less compassion, just because you are also concerned about not being annoyed yourself. When I do not feel annoyed, I am friendlier to everyone, which is beneficial to all.

Qualifiers

The qualifying games for the 2018 FIFA football World Cup has started. It feels like it is too early, yet, it is hard not to be interested.

I wish Sweden, the USA, and Japan will qualify.

A Car Running on Salt Water

It is amazing, a concept car which runs on salt water. It is not really seawater, but still just water with salt in it. One part of the water has a positive charge, the other a negative charge. The difference makes the car run. The exhaust is just water vapor. It is fuelled with water from two hoses, as quickly as a petrol car. While it seems too good to be true, it might be true. The patent is pending, later on, cars can be built with this propulsion system. I hope it will work.

Early Sunday Morning

We got up rather early this morning, for a Sunday. It was not as early as the average weekday, but early, nevertheless. The Japanese Grand Prix started at 7 a.m. Swedish time. It was nice to be able to watch it. Formula 1 is a big sport in Japan. It is exciting, so I understand the huge interest.

In the end, Nico Rosberg, Germany, won in his Mercedes, before Max Verstappen, the Netherlands, in his Red Bull, and Lewis Hamilton, the UK, in the other Mercedes. Rosberg is, thus, in a bigger lead in the championship. It is still undecided and exciting, though.

Home Grand Prix

Tomorrow morning, Swedish time, we will watch the Japanese Grand Prix in Formula 1 on TV. In a way, this is a home Grand Prix for all of us Shibas. Our breed is Japanese, so Japan is a kind of home country for all of us, even those of us who have never set our paw there. We enjoy watching the live TV coverage of this Grand Prix in Japan.

A Wasp

Hello, Karstuhl here!

A wasp came flying in the kitchen this morning. It stung Daniel, then Daniel hit and killed it. It is as if the wasp wanted to make a statement against my blog entry yesterday. Fortunately, no pups or other dogs were hurt. Daniel is already over it. Bugs and wasps may be annoying, but a single wasp is no match to Daniel. I like this.

Bugs

Hello, Karstuhl here!

We have autumn weather, at last. September was warm, but October is a proper autumn month, when it comes to weather and temperatures.

A great thing about autumn is that the annoying little crawling and flying creatures, the bugs, will go away. They are the worst thing about summer. However, we still have some bugs around. I guess this is because of the warm September. Still, they are buggibg me. I do not like this. I wish they would all soon be gone. Lofe is easier then.

New Negotiations

By a narrow margin, the people of Colombia voted "no" to the peace deal with the guerilla Farc. The President of Colombia has already taken steps to renegotiate some of the more controversial provisions of the peace deal.

It is believed that many voted against the deal, because it was too lenient against the guerilla and its members. After all, a guerilla is often not much more than an armed band of criminals, and many Colombians have probably seen Farc as such.

I hope it will be possible to go back to the negotiating table, striking a new deal. Colombia needs peace.

Paula Is Feeling Bad Again

Paula had to get hospital care again yesterday night, due to the injury in her right leg. We were worried. We have heard from her again today and she may come home tomorrow. She has been given treatment, which is good. We hope to see her, well and happy, tomorrow.

An Important Referendum

This year, the people of ghe UK voted to exit the EU. There is another referendum now, in Colombia, which may be more important. It is a referendum on "yes" or "no" to a peace agreement between the government and the Farc guerilla. It may bring an end to a long war, which may be more important than whether or not you live in a country which is a member of the EU or not.

The civil war in Colombia has been fought since the 1960's. Farc is communistic, but has become less ideologic. It has funded a lot of its war by involvement in the drug trade and kidnappings for ransoms, laundering the money through cattle ranches, shops, and construction companies owned by Farc. The war has caused a lot of deaths and sufferings to the people of Colombia; causing deaths and sufferings are indeed no strange things to communists.

I hope the outcome of the referendum will be "yes". Colombia and its people deserves peace. Perhaps it would have been better to utterly destroy Farc, but the peace has come about mainly because of government progress in the war. A continued war would have caused more deaths and sufferings and an utter destruction of Farc may still have been far away. This is a chance for peace and the people will hopefully take it.

Noise

Hello, Karstuhl here!

I am annoyed by the noise of Karen and her pups at night. They are disturbing my sleep, and the sleep of others here at home. None of my pups have ever disturbed anyone, nor have I. Life would be better with an undisturbed sleep at night.