Visitors

Hello, Orange here!

Two humans from the family which my daughter will move to were here to see her, and me, today. They were very nice people. I am sure my daughter will have a nice life with them.

Paula and Daniel call my daughter Clementin, and my son Mandarin. I like this, it is the names of fruits, like my name. Clementin will still be called Clementin by her new family. This will make it easier for her, which is good.

Hero Dog Poisoned and Killed

A German Shepherd dog, who was a hero, rescuing people after an earthquake in Italy two years ago, has been found dead, poisoned. It is not known why the dog was poisoned, or by whom. I mourn for him and his family.

I cannot understand why somebody would want to poisoned a dog, regardless of the dog being a hero or not. No dog deserves to be poisoned. I wish the truth will be uncovered.

Thunder and Lightning

We woke up to thunder and lightning this morning. It was litteraly thunder and heavy rainfall around our house.

It is nice that we get rain. The garden and our well needs water. Thunder never bothers me, either, except when it wakes me up like this morning.

We waited for a while before we went outdoors. We did not want to be went in the heavy rainfall. Once we got out, we could not see any damages done by the lightning. Sometimes, we have seen fallen trees after a storm, but not this time. I guess this is just as well.

Second Certificate

Our Affenpinscher friend Morran won her second certificate in two shows today. We congratulated her, when she came home. Morran enjoys dog shows, almost as much as I have always done. This makes for a special bond between Morran and me. I wish Morran will soon be a show champion, as I am. She is good enough.

Lunar Eclipse!

Look up into the sky this evening. There is a Lunar eclipse.

If you cannot see me, you can at least see the fantastic celestial show which I got my name from. It is quite a treat.

Pups

I got to see Orange's pups today. They are very cute, which is understandable, since they are Shiba pups. Not quite as cute as my pups ever were, but on the other paw, I cannot be completely unbiased on the matter. I do commend Orange for her cute pups.

Alicia Vikander?

Paula published a new photo of herself on Instagram. One person commented that Paula looked very much like the actress Alicia Vikander. We do not really agree. While such a comparison is flattering, we believe Paula is very beautiful in her own right.

Outdoors

Hello, Orange here!

My pups have tried to be outdoors. It is nice weather for them, when they can be in the shadow, and not in the heat of the middle of the day. They were not that fond of the experience, however. In a week or two, it will be different. Then they are Big enough to love it outdoors. We have to start sometime, however. We are all doing well indoors.

Defrosting

We defrosted the freezer today. This was just because it has acted weirdly lately, not keeping things in the power shelves frozen. We hope defrosting will help.

Best Veteran

We went to a dog show in Västerås today. I was best veteran and second best bitch. The best bitch was much younger than I, and won her final certificate, becoming a show champion today. She was worth it (but I believe I would have beaten him, when I was in my prime age). There were two other bitches in the best bitches’ class, neither of whom were veterans. I beat them. I also got a reserve Nordic certificate. I have the old NordCh title, the new Nordic title is something else and in my age, it is nice winning something like this.

Our Affenpinscher friend Morran was shown at the same dog show. This was her first show in adult age. She won her first certificate, a Nordic certificate, and was Best of Opposite Sex.

It was a good day for both of us.

Heat Wave in Japan

Europe is not the only place hit by hot weather. In Japan, they are suffering from a heat wave which has killed many people. It also makes the efforts to come to terms with the floods from the heavy rain falls earlier this month more difficult.

I do not wish that anyone willhave hot weather. Warm weather is nice, but there are limits. In Japan, they do not have a draught, however.

Summer Vacation

Our summer vacation starts this evening. Paula did her last night at the hospital Thursday-Friday, Daniel his last day att the office this Friday. They will be home more for a while now. This means less house watching duty for us dogs, which means we also get a vacation. Now life feels good.

Vacation or not, I will still keep up my hobby, writing this blog. Stay tuned, and you will see.

Cat Returned Home After Twelve Years

A cat who went missing in Wales twelve years ago was found by a veterinarian. The veterinarian read the micro chip of the cat, thus identifying her humans, who lived about eight kilometres away. Now the cat is safe and sound at home again.

This proves the importance of micro chips in animals like cats and dogs. I just wonder where the cat has been the last twelve years.

Another Brexit Referendum?

It might be that the British Parliament cannot agree on the negotiated treats between the UK and the EU on the terms of leaving the EU. This situation may be solved by another referendum, where the people is asked about the negotiated deal.

I am not surprised. When countries have had referenda on entering the EU, it has been about a negotiated deal on entering. If you are about to leave, shouldn’t the people have its say on the treats on leaving, regardless if there is a hung Parliament on the issue or not?

Free Trade With Japan

The EU, where Sweden is a member, and Japan has signed a big free trade agreement. It covers a lot of goods, nearly a third of the World’s GDP. Free trade is great, it gives us cheaper treats and dog food. I think it is extra fun that the agreement is with Japan, homeland of the Shiba. This must make every Shiba living in the EU feel proud.

Hot Weather

We have had warm weather for many days. It has now been warm for so long, it is hot. We wait for rain. I do not know when rain will eventually come, but hope it willnot take too long. Why is this hot weather just going on and on? Shibas are made for more temperate weather, we are from Japan. Inever thought a Swedish summer could feel like this, even though I am told it has happened before. Weather is a strange thing.

Final

France won the final versus Croatia in the World Cup. So it is over for now. Next FIFA football World Cup is four years from now. I am glad I could experience a World Cup where Sweden did quite well and where Belgium won the bronze. It might be that I am not around anymore, four years from now. I think you can see the World Cup from heaven, but I do not think it is quite the same thing.

Belgium Won the Bronze

I rooted for Belgium in the broze game of the World Cup today. My paternal grandfather was from Belgium, so I feel some kinship with the Belgians.

Daniel rooted for England. He says England has been his second favourite national team ever since he was young.

It was a good game. Both teams played well. In the end, however, the goals scored is what counts. Belgium won fairly, 2-0. I am happy they did.

This is the first time Belgium has won medals in the football World Cup, after having been fourth in 1986. England won gold in 1966, and was fourth in 1990. This is, thus, a shared second best result for the English team. It has been a good World Cup for both teams, despite the disappointment of not going all the way to the final.

Cords

There is someone who chews on electric cords, the cords we use to charge the batteries in Ipads and Iphones. We are not sure who it is. I can understand the appeal, because electric cords have a fine texture, as if they were made to chew upon. Still, it destroys the cords. Paula and Daniel have had to buy new cords more than once, and it is still not always enough. It is so annoying when your battery is not charged enough. I hope the culprit will soon stop this destruktive behaviour.

Open Eyes

Hello, Orange here!

My pups have opendoc up their eyes now. They can see, and they can hear.

It is two week now, since they were born. Ihave enjoyed every minute since. Giving birth is not always easy, but taking care of lovely newly born pups is. They are so cute, and they are mine. I love them so much.

It will be interesting to see how the personalities of these pups will develop.

Draught and Flood

We may have a draught in Sweden and neighbours in Europe, but in Japan they have had floods after heavy rainfalls. At least 179 humans are dess and about 70 are missing. The casualties among dogs are not reported. The floods have, thus, been much worse than our draught. I have not heard of any casualties due to the draught. I hope for more rain in Sweden, and less in Japan. It is a shame we cannot import any weather.

France Beat Belgium

I hoped Belgium would win the semi final versus France. You may know my paternal grandfather was from Belgium, so I feel for this country. However, France won, 1-0. It was a well played game, but not very exciting, I would have liked to see more goals. Very well, now I hope England will win the gold and Belgium the bronze.

The Ipad

I often borrow Daniel's Ipad to write my blog posts. Lately, however, Paula has started to borrow it. Paula has always been a little less interested in helping me with my blog than Daniel has been. When she borrows the Ipad, I have to use the computer or a mobile telephone. It is not as fun. On the other paw, it gave me the idea for this blog post. You can always find inspiration in the small, slightly annoying details of life. This is good.

Vegetables

Hello, Orange here!

Some of the food in my bowl tonight were vegetables. These are supposed to be healthy. It is just that they are not that tasty. It is nice that I do get enough food of tastier kinds.

Sweden Is Out

Sweden lost its quarter final to England. It was not that the Swedes were bad, but the English were significantly better. England won fairly, 2-0.

A quarter final is a good result for Sweden. It is better than reasonable expectations. Now we hope that England goes on to win the whole tournament. If Sweden lost to the team that would eventually win the whole thing, it makes the Swedish effort look even better.

Poachers Probably Eaten

In a wildlife reserve in South Africa, remains of humans have been found, with a rifle of a kind used by rhino poachers. It is believed three humans have died, eaten alive by lions. It serves the humans right.

Sterdirle

There are times when you just do not know what to say or write, Tonight is one of those nights. I think life is good, nevertheless.

Fourth of July

Mum always celebrated the Fourth of July. Having been born in the USA, by an American breder, and having spent more than five years there before moving to Sweden, Mum was an American patriot. It is the national holiday of the USA today, commemorating its declaration of independence. I celebrate it now, for Mum’s sake. God bless America, as the Americans use to say.

Quarter Final

Sweden won this afternoon as well, and will play its quarter final against England. It will be a difficult game, but far from impossible. We have hope.

Ancestors or Grandfather?

We all know that the Shiba breed is from Japan. All of our ancestors lived in Japan for countless generations.

My paternal grandfather was from Belgium. This is not strange, it is just like I am from Sweden, Dad was from Norway, and Mum was from the USA.

Even though I am from Sweden, I do have feelings for the home countries of my relatives.

Today, Belgium played Japan in the World Cup. I had mixed feelings about this. As much as I like Japan, I also like Belgium. I pondered for a long time which country to root for, but finallag decided Icould be happy with either country winning.

Eventually, Belgium won. I do think the Belgian team is a little better than the Japanese team and that the victory was fair. I am happy for the memory of my grandfather.

A Little Rest

Hello, Orange here!

We had a quiet day full of rest, my two pups and I.

Daniel did come by with the vacuum cleaner, but I am not like my cowardly sister Karen, who is afraid of the vacuum cleaner. The pups are too small to care.