Halloween

It is Halloween today, which is celebrated by young people here in Sweden because they have been inspirerad by the Halloween holiday in America. America shares the North American continent with the State of Chihuahua in Mexico (and some other countries) and has a lot of trade and exchange with Mexico, so it is a decent country. 

A main feature of Halloween is to scare people a little. This is why there are so many skeletons, spiders, witches etc. around on Halloween. These things don’t scare me. Something which would scare me much more would be an empty food bowl when I am hungry. I am amazed none of the manufacturers of Halloween stuff has thought of this. As long as they haven’t, Halloween is just a little fun for me. 

Food Reserve

Paula did something new today. She gave us so much food that we could not eat it all, but let the food bowls stand on the kitchen floor. She said we can go and fetch food whenever we want. If this experiment is successful, she might continue with this practice. I like this, I hope we can keep up with this so the experiment turns into a new routine. We have to discuss this, among us dogs, to make sure it will turn out great. Keep reading this blog, and we will let you know, too. 

Great Result

The Rugby World Cup ended with gold to South Africa, silver to New Zealand, and bronze to England. This is the second biggest sports tournament after the Football World Cup. 

For us dogs at home, however, Paula’s result in the test that concluded her ring steward course was bigger. Paula passed. She will now just have to do some training at dog shows, then she will be a ring steward. We are all proud of Paula. 

Studies

We have all helped Paula in her studies to become a ring steward today. Daniel can help, since he is a ring steward already. Morran can help, since she is a Show Champion. Viola, Pepe, and I help as much as we can. We have all been bred by Show Judges, so we know some things about dog shows. 

Paula will surely succeed. She is good at theoretical studies and she has a long history of showing dogs at dog shows. 

The test is tomorrow. This is Viola’s name day, which must be a good omen. We believe Paula will make it. 

Good Bye, Laila!

Our dear, old Poodle friend Laila, SEUCH Smash JP Victorious Love, is no longer with us. Over the latest few days, she became very ill. She almost did not manage to do anything. Her time was out.

We will sorely miss Laila. She was a gentle and nice friend, who taught the younger ones of us a lot. Her love of the good life, good food, and good sleep may stand as an example for any dog. May she have a great afterlife, wherever she is. 

Test Questions

Paula worked with test questions for her course to become a ring steward. She was good at it. 

I would have helped, if I would have had experience from dog shows. Morran could help, however. She is a Swedish Show Champion, so she knows what it is all about. It turned out that Paula was good enough herself not to need any help. This is great. Paula will become a good ring steward, I believe. 

Hurricane

Acapulco on the Pacific coast of Mexico was hit by a hurricane today. The news reports say humans have been scared and property have been damaged.

I hope all dogs are safe and sound. 

Celebrations

We celebrated tonight. I will not tell you why, not yet. On Friday, the reason to celebrate will become more clear. Stay tuned! 

Darker Mornings

When the alarm clock goes of these days, it is dark as in the middle of the night outside. We get up and get out anyway. After this little tour outside, we can always go back to sleep again. We usually do. Daniel does not, he has to make himself ready for work. While it seems like his life is a little more exciting than mine, I would not want to trade, especially not when it is dark outside when you have to get up and get ready to leave. Dogs’ lives are rather good. 

Dogs in War

When humans go to war, there are always innocent casualties. Mostly, there is talk about the civilist humans. My concern is mostly for the dogs. Humans can understand what happens, dogs often don’t. 

I feel for the dogs who live in Gaza, that is the target for the Israeli attacks to defend Israel from the war started by Hamas, based in Gaza. However, if the Israelis were to take control of Gaza, I believe the situation for the dogs there would improve. Arabs as the majority who live in Gaza are notorious for their low regard for dogs. In the long run, this war may be good for the dogs in Gaza. 

Chicken

Paula and Daniel had chicken for lunch today. One of the chicken filets were cut into pieces and given to us dogs. This was a great meal. Saturdays are seldom as good as this. 

No Need for a Veterinarian

Paula had scheduled a time for an appointment with the veterinarian for Viola today. Viola seemed to feel better, however, so Paula called the veterinarian and asked for advice. Once Paula had explained the situation and that Viola felt better, the veterinarian thought there was no need for the appointment. They cancelled it. Viola was happy they did. Shetold me she felt better and she has never been fond of going to the vet. I guess this was just as well. 

Pieces of Sausage

Paula and Daniel had sausages for dinner. Paula did not finish her. Then Daniel cut the sausage up and put the plate on the kitchen floor. Pepe and I got there first. Sausages are always great. 

I wish we had sausages more often. 

Hundreds of Animals Rescued In Spain

Spanish police has rescued more than four hundred dogs and cats and arrested humans who held these animals in an illegal trading network. The animals have been held in poor conditions, many have been transported for long distances from East Europe in cramped quarters and without any regard for the health of the animals. A veterinarian in the network have signed documents to give false impressions that everything was fine. 

This is good news. We hope more illegal animal traders like this can also be arrested and more animals be rescued. There are, unfortunately, probably more networks like the one hit by Spanish police. 

Murderer Killed by Police

The terrorist who shot and murdered two Swedish citizens in Belgium yesterday night, was shot and killed by Belgian police today. He posed a threat to the police, who shot in self defence.

I do not mind much that the murderer died. It would have been better, however, if he would have been put on trial and sentenced to life for the murders. This would have been justice. 

Match Suspended

Sweden played Belgium tonight in the UEFA Euro qualifyers. The match is suspended, since two Swedish citizen dressed in Swedish football jerseys have been shot dead close to the football stadium in Belgium. The killer shouted ”Allah akbar”, which is a Muslim expression in Arabic.

We had hoped Sweden would win. Now the highest priority is that the murderer will be caught. 

Quarter Finals

Yesterday, Argentina won against Wales and New Zealand won against Ireland in the first two quarter finals. Today, the first European country went on, when England won against Fiji. In the fourth quarter final, France played the winner of last World Cup South Africa, and South Africa won. 

We live in Europe, so we said we would support the European teams. Now there is just one of them left. I guess we all have to hope for England in the semi final against South Africa and in the final that might come. 

Vacuum Cleaner

Daniel rain the vacuum cleaner throughout the house today. Viola is usually scared of it. I do not understand why you would be scared of a machine that Daniel controls. Viola is never scared of Daniel, but the sound of the vacuum cleaner still scares her, when he uses it. I am not scared. 

Totte In the Bed

It is seldom that the cats sleep in the bed with the rest of us. Totte has, however, chosen to do so several times this week. He says it is comfortable now that it is getting colder outside. I like Totte and there is definitely room for him in the bed. His body heat adds to the body heat of the rest of us. Nights are good in our bed. 

Sausages

Sausages are good food. We got some sausages for food today, together with ordinary dog food. I liked the sausages better than the dog food. We all did, I assume. 

Morran said sausages are from Germany, just like her breed, and this is why sausages are so good. I do not think anybody knows where sausages were invented, even though I know Germany is famous for its sausages. Morran is right that sausages are good, though. 

Course

The regional kennel club had a board meeting today. Paula did not participate, however, she attended her course to become a ring steward instead. It is an interesting course for all of us, who have the chance to listen in on it when she is at home and the course is taken via video meeting. 

When Daniel came home from the board meeting, he said all of the others had thought Paula made the right choice, when she took the course instead of participating in the board meeting. I agree. It is a good thing to study to become a ring steward. 

Frost in the Morning

For the second morning in a row, we have had frost on the ground in the morning. The temperature has been below the freezing point. Then it has become warmer in the day, in the sun. It is typically Swedish autumn weather. I have liked the afternoon weather better than that in the mornings. 

Chicken Stew

We got some chicken stew with rice to our food today. It is always great to get something extra like this. 

Laila said rice is originally from the part of the world where she was born. Her land of birth is Japan, but I am not sure rice is originally from Japan. Rice is quite good with chicken, nevertheless. 

Portugal Won, but Fiji Went On

Portugal won the final game in Pool C versus Fiji, but Fiji were good enough to get the points and the +/- to still be the runner up. Fiji, thus, go on to the quarter finals. Australia is out. 

I am not sure how they count in rugby. It is interesting that Fiji can get points, while losing the game, even though it was just by 23-24. It probably has to do with the close result. Kudos to Portugal for the win and to Fiji for advancing. Australia was just not good enough this year. 

No Quarter Final for Japan

For the Shibas we know and have known, and for Laila, who was born in Japan, we hoped Japan would win the last game of Pool D in the Rugby World Cup.

Japan played Argentina. Any of these teams that would have won, would have taken the second place in the pool after winner England. The winner and the runner up advances to the quarter finals. 

Unfortunately, Argentina had the strongest team today. Argentina won after a strong finish, 39-27. 

Laila says she will now root for France. She is a Poodle, so her breed is from France, and France won Pool A before New Zeeland. Pool B has one game left when I write this, but it is between the teams that have already lost the pool. Winner and runner up is Ireland and South Africa. In Pool C, Wales is the winner, Australia may be runner up, but the final game is between Fiji and the least successful team of the pool, Portugal. Fiji has one point less than Australia, so Fiji can be the runner up and get to the quarter final. This would be a huge blow to the 1991 and 1999 World Cup winner and 2015 World Cup finalist Australia, but you are never better than the current tournament results say you are. We will see what happens in the games to come. 

Sweets

Paula and Daniel went away today to look at Paula’s nephew Arvid run a race. After the race, they bought some sweets for Arvid and her sister Nadja. This was nicely done and the children deserved it. I am, however, a little disappointed that they did not buy any sweets to take home to us dogs. We watched the house while they were gone, but did not get any sweets. Life is nice, but it could have been sweeter. 

Colder

We have put on the heat in our house. This evening, it was just 3° outside. This does not really bother me or Pepe, who are long haired Chihuahuas. Viola is short haired, however, and complains a little. 

It is autumn, so the cold weather is no surprise. We will have to see when winter will come. 

Cinnamon Bun Day

In this house, we never celebrate Cinnamon Bun Day on the 4th of October. A legendary Shiba bitch called Linni was born on this day in 2001. She was the first Shiba of the family and though she never got any pups of her own, she is remebered as one of the founders of Aangenaam Shibas. Her tail was too curled to be an excellent Shiba tail, they should preferrably just lay in an arch across the back. A Shiba tail that is too curled is sometimes called a cinnamon bun tail, which is a derogatory statement. Thus, because of the legendary Linni and her cinnamon bun tail, we never celebrate Cinnamon Bun Day on her birthday.

May the legendary Linni rest in peace until the end of time. 

Reunification

It is the 3 October. This day is celebrated in Germany as the day for the latest German unification. It was in 1990, when the German Democratic Republic merged into the Federal Republic of Germany. The former was also called East Germany, while the Federal Republic was called West Germany until that day.

I understand the happiness of reunification. Sometimes, I wonder if Mexico – where Chihuahuas are from – and New Mexico will ever reunite. If this would happen, it would be a cause for celebrations for all Mexicans. 

Not Feeling Well

Paula did not feel well this evening. I felt sorry for her. Besides coming close, I could not do much. I often wish I could do more. 

Hopefully, Paula feels better tomorrow. 

Ham

Appart from our ordinary food, we got some slices of ham to eat today. Ham is great food. It is tasty and it is healthy. 

Apparently, there are people in the world who do not eat ham. They believe all pork is unfit for food. I have never understood why, but it might mean there is more ham left for the rest of us. If I had the chance, I would gladly eat more pork that these people would not want.