A ritual sacrifice of winter

When I came home from an opera performance tonight, the house was quite in a disarray. The concert that met me when I opened the outer door was as usual, but I noticed immediately when I opened the inner door that something had gone wrong. We hadn't left Maja for more than three-four hours or so alone, and we had had a good two-three hour walk earlier in the day, so we had no reason to believe that there was too much pent up energy. But the floor was covered with smaller and bigger pieces of fabric.. Smaller and bigger torn-apart pieces of... my gloves and caps. Properly ripped, chewed and dismembered, never to be used again. One of Maja's favorite games is to try to steal my glove and run away with it, but I didn't think it would go this far - on the other hand: My bad, I had left them inside the house. A stern glance, and some stern words was all that was needed to reduce Maja's height to half - she went immediately creeping into a far corner and looked at me as if I had beaten her, and then she came crawling to my feet to beg for mercy.

I wonder when they understand that they have done something wrong? Is it only the voice and my behavior that makes her understand that  something is wrong. Does she understand - I think she does - what is wrong? And if so - does she "think" about it - in her dog way - when she does it: This is wrong, but it is just too much fun?

Anyway: after a while things calmed down, we went out for the evening pee, Maja again asked for forgiveness (very submissive). Then some quality time on the floor with combing and massage, and now she is sleeping so heavily on the sofa beside me. The bad is over, everything is back to how it should me.

And after all: it is raining heavily tonight. So much snow has disappeared the last days. It is quite some time since I wrote on this blog that spring is here. Since then, winter has returned several times with a vengeance, but this time I am absolutely sure that it is defeated. So, maybe Maja's killing of my winter gloves and winter cap was the final ritual sacrifice of the winter :)

First time at dog exhibition

On Sunday we took Maja to her very first dog exhibition :) Not to participate in any competition, of course, as she doesn't have any documents, but just to watch. We were discussion the different possible "scenarios" before we went - Maja is the sweetest dog, but she goes sometimes nuts when she meets other dogs. With a small, strange laughter we were discussing the possibility of us being thrown out; of Maja creating a total mayhem among otherwise well behaving, disciplined dogs :) Another possibility would be that when she would see so many dogs, she would just give up..

And it went beyond all my expectations. Dogs, dogs, dogs everywhere. Small ones, big ones, brown, white, yellow, long hair, short hair.. And best of all: loads and loads and loads of other golden retrievers. And Maja really behaved nicely! A little pulling at the leash, of course, but who wouldn't expect that. But I really think she was amazed - who would ever think that so many dogs even exist :D

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The Dog Whisperer in South Park

I have always wanted to make a longer blog post about Cesar Milan and "The Dog Whisperer", a tv show on National Geographic Channel about dog rehabilitation and dog psychology. The Dog Whisperer is without doubt a very controversial show, and lots of people are even very aggressively (no pun intended) opposed to the ideas and thoughts that Cesar Milan presents. Me and my girlfriend, though, feel that we have learned a lot, and watch all episodes with huge interest. As I said; always wanted to blog about it, but it would be a huge post, and I haven't found time so far. BUT: what an incredible joy when I was able to find a combination of two of my absolute favorite tv series; The Dog Whisperer and South Park. I though I would laugh my head off when I saw this the first time. As always with South Park, they hit spot on. Fantastic! Amazing! :)))))

In the sun II

Resting in the sun