We're back!

Not that we were really gone, but I have been neglecting this blog for too long! Wesha and Ghandi are both doing fine. They are good most of the time and stubborn some of the time and trying out limits every now and then too!

Today, Reto went for a long walk with them (to Rheinau and back!) and when they came home, Ghandi still wanted more action (see this Video!)

I can't go for such long walks at the moment, because I am recovering from an emergency surgery. Doing really well, though. Today is my first day without pain medication. :) I will be back to normal soon.

Here are some pictures of our two beauties.

Toller Walk 3

For the third time, Wesha & I participated in the monthly Toller Walk. It was lovely weather and there were 10 other Tollers! Wesha had lots of fun in the river Töss and playing with various Tollers, chasing each other. She is getting better at walking on leash in groups like this (I also had some extra yummy snacks with me, that helped too). I really enjoy these walks and I will try to take Wesha every month.

Here are some pictures:

Coping with the heat

Yes, summer is here! It has been around 30C here for a couple of days now. I have started to walk Wesha and Ghandi earlier in the morning, before it gets really hot (between 06.45 and 08.00hrs). I have heard of other dog owners whose dogs refuse to walk when it is too hot. Wesha and Ghandi never refuse! They are always happy to go for a walk, even when it is 30C+. But for my own sake too, I try to avoid the hottest time of the day. I do go out with them around 14.00hrs for a short walk to the Rhine, where I let Wesha swim. Ghandi doesn't enjoy going into the Rhine, he likes it when he can still touch ground. I throw sticks into the water for Wesha and she fetches them. It is hard work, because of the current. So pretty good exercise for her.
Later in the afternoon, I give them a frozen Kong with either yoghurt, or cheese (La Vache Qui Rit) or a paste. That keeps them busy for a while and I hope it cools them down a bit. The evening walk is around 21.00/21.30hrs, when it is pleasant to walk again.

Today, Wesha was very brave and she jumped from a little dock into the Rhine to fetch a stick. It was only about 40cm above the water, but it was still a big step for her!

I plan to take pictures at the Rhine, but I am usually too busy keeping an eye on both Wesha and Ghandi.

Switzerland's top models

Strange fears & barking ringtone

Both Wesha and Ghandi are not easily scared. They don't react to thunderstorms and they might look up when they hear other loud bangs (fireworks), but they remain calm. They both have other fears though. And strange ones!

Wesha runs for cover when one of us takes a pillow from the couch in our hands. I guess we have had a pillow fight once that scared her. I am 100% certain that we never threw one to her, though!

Ghandi showed fear yesterday, for a big white rose! The rose was growing in some green bushes. Ghandi first inched closer very carefully, but when a gush of wind made the rose move, he RAN in the opposite direction!

*****

Today, I managed to record Wesha's bark with my cell phone. I am now using it as a message tone for incoming text messages. So cool!

Training with two dogs

On Wednesdays, I usually train with Ghandi in the "small dog" group. However, this group has shrunk to only 2 dogs in the last few months. So I have asked the other dog owner and the trainer if I could bring Wesha into this group too. Mainly because it is a fun hour and Wesha loves training.

So the last two Wednesdays, I have taken both Ghandi and Wesha to this training. They are both doing very well. Of course they spend a part of the time sitting and waiting, while I am working with the other dog. And to my relief, even Ghandi patiently awaits his turn, without barking or whimpering. Sometimes I can work with both of them at the same time and that goes well too.

But when we get home, it is obvious that they have been feeling some tension just the same. They then start a very wild play and chase each other through the garden to blow off some steam.

A two year old beauty!

Wesha turned 2 years old today. She started the day (well, after a short walk and breakfast) in the dog salon.


She didn't like that one bit! It took about an hour to have the dead hair removed (plucked) from her ears and paws. She tried to get away, sit down, lay down and she did a lot of whimpering. But... I still think it was worth it! She is much prettier now!

The rest of the day, she enjoyed being in the garden, eating salmon and a walk in the forest. Not a bad day.