A match made in heaven

Photo by Lana Joos

Happy Birthday, little Inthe!

You turned 2 today, my rascal. And we're not home to celebrate your birthday with you.. I'm sure the girls will give you plenty of treats and they will spoil you rotten. We're so lucky to have you and Rebba couldn't live without you. The two of you go so well together, like salt and pepper.

We'll bring you a new toy from Holland, scoobydoo. We know how you love your squeaky  toys and you ruin them all. It's hilarious to see how excited you get over unwrapping a new toy. Looking forward to seeing your face over this one.

Have fun with Rebba, okay? Daddy will take you for a long walk when we return. xx

She wants her daddy

I know she's a D.O.G. but nevertheless, we are her mommy and daddy. She doesn't know any better. Inthe is a real drama queen when she misses her daddy. She then sits on the couch, her head all stretched out towards the window. Every now and then, I can hear her sigh. Her eyes are all droopy and she's looking depressed. I then ask her: do you want your daddy to come home? She holds her head to one side and points her ears. Like to make sure she heard me alright. So I ask her again and Inthe holds her head to the other side. That's the signal I have to look out for. Because that's the moment she will race towards me, lick me in the face and put her paws on my shoulders to give me a hug. She really misses him when he's at work. She looks forward to his home coming. And then: joy oh joy. Her memory is so short, she must actually believe he was gone for at least a week. She's a bit silly, you know. But I must admit: it's cute.

Talk to me

Photo by Lana Joos

If only you could speak.. what would you say? I often wonder what you're thinking. Is it so, that animals don't have a mind of their own? Or are they brighter than we could possibly imagine? I honestly believe that you understand a lot of what we say. There's definitely a sixth sense present in you, dogs. Sometimes, you give me that sad puppy look that we just can't resist. You know when your bowl will be filled with food or when it's time to get your leash to go for a walk. When the clock ticks away and the leash is still dangling on the hook, that's when you give me that sad puppy look. You stare at me and if you could sob, you would.. 

You have a body language of your own. Your ears are pointed and your posture still like a statue, when you hear a noise you don't like. When you are all excited, your ears are all over your face and the tail that is mainly hidden between your hind legs, finds its way out to wag and whip my legs. Sometimes, you post your front legs on my shoulders to give me a hug or maybe you just ask to be cuddled?

Sometimes, it's good to be silent like a dog. To think, without speaking. To listen, without judging. To be quiet when others are talking. Sometimes, I wish I could be a little more like you. Just every now and then..

It ripped my heart out..

The girls have left for Holland. We're going away for a couple of days, and our whippets are not used to being by themselves all day. So we called our dog day care if they would be willing to pamper our precious girls during our absence. Our dogs are welcome at any time, they said. Just an hour ago, they came to pick them up. Inthe was so aroused to see Sandra!!! She nearly jumped in her neck. It's good to see that she still remembers her. Rebba didn't know what to think of it... hmhm... I think she makes the connection: Sandra means mommy and daddy won't be around..

I packed their suitcase: their favorite blanket (it has my smell on it), their favorite toys, their passport, their leashes and some goodies. It was like I was saying goodbye to them for ever! They jumped in the car and laid down in the kennel right away. Whippet Desmond and his sister Molly were all excited in the back seat. Desmond is a gorgeous whippet male in very special colors. I'm sure he fancies my Inthe, who is still on heat. Let's keep our fingers crossed she won't seduce any males out there. Rebba will surely chaperone her, but you know those men.. it ain't any different with dogs..

I'm going to miss them terribly. It's so quiet in the house. Okay, I'll be able to wash all the blankets on the couch and I'll be able to go to bed at a more decent hour, but I'll miss them so much.. They have become really important to me.

I am looking forward to our outing, trust me! It'll keep my mind of Rebba and Inthe. But Thursday morning, I will race to Kuitaart, Holland, to pick my girls up!

Smelly feet

Four legs are pointing towards the ceiling. Inthe is laying on her back on the couch, her four legs stretched out upwards. I love the smell of her whippety feet. Her feet are warm and they have this particular smell that can't be compared to anything else. Honestly, they smell sweet and earthlike. I like to sniff them and touch them. Sorry guys, but you can't know if you don't own one..

Photo by Lana Joos

You make me wanna cry

My sweet little girl.. Last night, while I was out with the girls, Hubby called me. Something terrible had happened.. You and Rebba were playing outside, like you do all the time. All of a sudden, you came rushing in, followed by Rebba. There was blood all over the place. He thinks you and Rebba got into a fight. You lost a quarter of your ear... I'm completely devastated.. How will we be able to fix that? You must have been hurting so bad, Inthe..

Hubby picked you up and ran to the vet's house immediately. She disinfected the wound and put you on antibiotics. Your heart rate was too fast to put you under narcotics, so she asked Hubby to come back the next morning. There's a chance she will have to amputate another piece of your ear. I'm driving Eva to school now, and then I'll take you to the vet again. Please, please, let her diagnosis be less dramatic. You'll never grow another ear, that's certain, but if you could keep half? My heart is bleeding for you and for Rebba as well. I know she didn't mean to hurt you. Both of you are dominant personalities. You and Rebba are the same size now and you have the same weight. Rebba wants you to listen to her. After all, she's been here longer than you and she's older. But you do not want to be tamed. You dare her quite often and she tries to hold you down. Until things get ugly, like this time. Please keep your fingers crossed for little Inthe. Please..

Another whippet

Inthe and Rebba have a little brother... He doesn't have a name yet. He came as a total surprise to me. My friends got him for my birthday. That's really funny, because last year, we were in Sevenum, Holland, on our way to Oberhausen, when we ran into a lady with two whippets. That's where I kneeled to give the dogs a big cuddle. That's when I told my friends about my love for the breed. That's when they told me they were going to get one for my upcoming birthday. And that's when Hubby decided they couldn't get me one, since HE was going to buy one for me..

They must have remembered that and still, they know we already have two! But here he is: he's so slim and beautiful and his tan is almost silverish. He's all shiny and very quiet. I love him! He's sitting in the window sill, looking over our family room. We won't have to take him for walks. My new whippet is a wonderful statue..

The significant other

Rebba ° June 23, 2006
Photo by Lana Joos

Hi sweetie!

Almost one year ago, we went to get you in Holland. I fell in love with you instantly. For so many years, I had longed for a whippet of my own. And there you were, waiting for us. Ready to come home.. You were sitting in my lap in the car and you weighed a ton. You had no idea what to expect from your new family and we didn't know what life with you would be like. 

We got acquainted real fast and you behaved real well. We gave you a new name and you didn't mind at all. Your new name - Rebba - fitted you like a glove and you responded so well whenever we called you. Whistling is effective too. In a sec you stand by our side. 

In the beginning you were a little afraid to go for a walk. New surroundings, new people, new smells, new everything. But again: you are easy going.

Just three months later, we decided we wanted you to have a playmate. That's when we started to talk about getting a puppy. You were 3 when we got you. You were potty trained and friendly and accustomed to people. Was getting a puppy the right thing? 

You must have thought you were expecting puppies. You cried and made nests and you told us you wanted to have a family of your own. That's when we decided we really wanted that puppy. Inthe is a great companion for you. Every now and then, you frown your eyebrows when she's ditching the place, but you completely fell in love with her. You probably see her as your baby.. You teach her things, you scold her when she doesn't behave and you play along. The two of you race around in the backyard and you love to go out for a walk together. You have become so attached to Inthe, that you are in sheer panic when we try to take Inthe or you some place without the other. So we don't. 

I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't here anymore. You and Inthe have become members of the family. Even the in-laws love you and they always ask for you to come along on Sundays. That's why I hope we will be given many more years with you and your little playmate..

An appetite for life

My appetite for life is never ending. Life's good. There are so many horizons to explore, so many fun things to do. There's a reason I don't like to watch the news. So many sad things happening in the world. Newborns get killed by their moms, people commit suicide like never before, road accidents have become warp and weft. One should become depressed listening to all this bad news..

I'm not blind to whatever happens in the world, but I prefer to focus on the good side of life. I don't want to survive, I want to live! Because life is worth living. Because life on this planet is so short. Happiness is to be found in little things. In this century, everything has to be bigger and more expensive and more exclusive. That manner prohibits us from appreciating the ordinary things in life. A freshly toasted English muffin, a good song on the radio, a pale sunbeam peaking through the curtains, the warm body of a whippet next to yours.. Life's good. Really. If only you would try to recognize it.

You chuckle head!

Accu-Chek Combo Insulin Pump

The sun was out and I was chilling in the garden. A good book, a cold drink and nobody else around. Just me and the whippets. They were laying beside me - tongues out and closed eyes - trying to catch some sun.
I had a bag beside me, holding my glucose meter, strips and lancing device. I do have to poke my fingers several times a day to check my BG, so that came in handy.

Going inside to go to the bathroom, I didn't bring anything with me. In the meantime, I wanted to check my mail. That's when Inthe ran into the house and jumped on the couch. I could tell she was holding something in her mouth.. Darn you Inthe! She had brought in my lancing device! I rushed outside, to find an empty bag!! Where was my meter??? Where were my strips!? Good grief! Inthe thought it was a pretty fun game, because she ran along, looking for my stuff. And there were my strips! Still had to find my meter.. grumble. That meter is very expensive, since it is also the remote of my insulin pump.. I kept hoping she didn't chew on it! But no, there it was, in the shrubs! What a relief.. my doctor would have killed me!

Why does the innocent look on her face make me belief, she wanted to bring me my appliances? She must have thought I forgot about them.. Or do you think otherwise?

A scary situation

My oldest daughter and I were having a good time with her godmother yesterday. Around 4 PM, hubby called to ask where whippet Rebba was. I told him both dogs were in the backyard? Not? No.. Inthe was there, screaming and whining, but no Rebba.. She had escaped from the backyard. No idea how she did it, but she had fled!

I pushed the panic button right away: contacted the police, animal rescue, the vet, my friends, family, neighbors. Two friends hopped into their car right away and drove to our town to look out for Rebba. She had been spotted on the highway, headed to Antwerp. Poor Rebba.. The most dangerous road she could pick.. Hubby drove around town in an attempt to find her.. He feared the worst.. He thought he would find her, run over by a car or maybe she would have caused a car accident.

And then my friend called me! She had seen her, racing on the hard shoulder of the highway. She and her companion had tried to capture her, without any result though. Rebba was frightened and tired and losing her mind.. My friend ran bare feet on the highway, yelling for Rebba. Her companion raced around as well, ignoring his painful hip.

Some time later, the police called me. They had Rebba in their van. They caught her throwing a loop over her neck. She was 6 km away from home. What a relief... She was okay. She had not caused any accidents (my friend saw smokey tires and heard harsh brakes...) and she was not injured. Her foot soles are pink again, instead of black. She's so tired and I can tell how frantic she must have been. I'm so happy she's okay. I'm so happy I had people who cared enough to rush to her rescue.. Thank you all for helping out. My two little girls are reunited..

The weeping whippet

My little rascal is not to be trusted at all. She's still young and playful and full of mischief. That's why she needs to be put in the bench if nobody's home to keep an eye on her. She gladly sits in the bench, until she realizes she can't get out if she wants to. Rebba is pretty cool, all by herself and she doesn't ruin anything. But Inthe is a whole different story.

She ate my glasses the other day. Not all of it of course, but she chewed on it big time and one of the glasses was missing. I was able to put it back together, but it's still ruined. I'm thinking of getting a new pair in the month of May.

So Inthe sits in the bench during our absence. I check on her every once in a while and she does fine. But as soon as we let her out, she starts to weep and whine. What a cry baby.. She probably feels really deserted and she is so worn out by the weeping, that she crashes on the couch and falls asleep instantly. The crying doesn't stop though. We can still hear her weep in her sleep.. Poor thing.. she is so adorable..

Everything is shipshape

This week, I had the opportunity to babysit our nephew. He's going to be 10 soon and he's a real joy and full of life. Hubby was asked to be his godfather, so he is just that little extra to us. He's a cool kid and he looks great. Pretty smart for his age as well and very sociable. I like him!

So I got to look after him. Not that there was much to do, because he's very independent. Inthe joined me as a surprise and he was very happy to see her. They cuddled on the couch and Kid promised her a treat if she would sit down for him. Which she did, of course. She's a whippet after all and always in for a treat. She laid down on top of you on the couch to take a nap. You're real gentle with her and she loves to lick you. Ugh.. I hope she will stop doing that one day..

Kid's mom texted me to see how we were doing. As expected, things were shipshape and Kid went to bed at his regular bedtime. No probs! I hope he will come visit us during Easter break. It would be great to do some cooking/baking together.

Good girl!!

You went to puppy class.. I can't believe I took you there.. But it's supposed to be good for you. You are a fierce and energetic puppy and some discipline will do you good. There were 15 puppies in total and thus, the class was divided. There were 6 puppies left in your class: Ivory, Lady, Zara, Jana, Aico and you. And I must say: you did pretty good for your first lesson. You had to sit, lay down, walk on the leash, step over several items and walk through a curtain of plastic tubes. You didn't like the last one at all, and they told me not to force you. So I didn't.

Too bad they forgot to tell me puppy school is outside. It was 7:00 PM, dark and I was freezing my butt off..! And so were you!! All shivery and cold. They also forgot to tell me to bring your favorite toy and some goodies. Shoot.. We'll have to do better next time. Maybe I shouldn't wear high heels either, because that is not the best footwear to walk in the meadow..

Sick

Being sick is one of the biggest joys in life, taken that you aren't too sick and you don't need to go back to work before you're better... That's what a friend told me, after she found out that I'm not feeling well. I have been sick to my stomach for two days now. Terrible headache, no appetite. Just thinking of food makes my stomach twirl. I fill a small bucket for 1/3 with soapy water and put it aside the couch. Just in case. I can't throw up in the toilet. Just the thought of it.. ugh. So I need that bucket to get me through this ordeal. The smell of the soapy water makes it more bearable. Yesterday was really bad. I couldn't even hold fluids in my body. Both the whippets kept me company on the couch, fighting for the best spot beside me. They kept me warm. It was like they knew I wasn't feeling well and they tried to comfort me.

My glucose levels are on a roller coaster. For several days I have had 400 region numbers and at night too many lows. Maybe that's the reason why my body is so upset?

I think I will have the chance to watch some DVD's I have wanted to see for a long time. Spending the day in pyjamas isn't so bad after all..

Whippet in the pocket

Little Inthe is too small to walk on a leash. Having her in the car while driving is a true ordeal. That's why we bought (okay, why I bought) a dog purse to keep her safe in the car. It's like a messenger bag, with that difference that it holds a dog instead of paper work. The lining of the interior is super soft and Inthe falls asleep in it right away. She likes the movement if you walk around with her. You only see the tip of her nose peek out of the kangaroo pouch (that's what it looks like). I feel safer in the car, knowing that she's buckled up in that pouch. And she doesn't mind.

I wonder when we will have to get her acquainted with a leash? Rebba doesn't want to go for a walk without her little sister. They are best mates! Rebba is getting lazy though. She hasn't been out for a walk for quite a while. She and Inthe do race around the back yard every day. You should see them enjoy themselves!

A devil in disguise

I believe I will have to withdraw 94 euros out of your savings account! I can't believe you did that! I had to leave the house for half an hour and you were sound asleep on the couch, dreaming about marrow bones and peanut butter stuffed Kong toys. I thought it was a shame to wake you up and put you in the bench. I should've known better though.. You ate part of the charger of my Macbook. I was so mad at you!!! you can't believe it. Maybe I should teach you to use your words instead of destroying something out of distress.

I was told by someone who's supposed to know, that whippet puppies are in fact little devils in disguise. If I had a camera, I would make some footage during my absence, to see you transform into that little devil. Red horns on your cute little head, glowing red eyes, a shiny sharp fork in your paw and a pointed tail at the rear end. You must have really enjoyed destroying that charger. You know I need my Macbook! To finish it off, you found a red pen you could chew on as well, leaving red ink marks all over the couch. You little twit!

Maybe I should start putting you in time-out. How about getting a naughty chair for you? Would that help? No more excuses: the bench will be your second home if I'm not around. Sorry Inthe!

Hide and Seek

I know.. I shouldn't do it, but I did.. I let you sleep in my bed. In your own bed, on top of my bed, at first. But now, you lay as close beside me as possible. Under the covers.. That is, what you normally do. The other night though, you were playing hide and seek. I heard you squeak but I couldn't trace you. I called out your name and you squeaked back at me. My duvet had come alive!!! Apparently, you had found your way in, but not the way out. You were desperately seeking for the exit. I couldn't help but laugh at you. You are such a joy! The look on your face when I pulled you out of my bedcovers.. hilarious!

I'll miss you, when you will be old enough to hold your pee long enough to sleep downstairs. Rebba will keep you warm then, don't worry. The two of you greet each other in the morning as if you haven't seen one another for a whole month, while it has only been like 5 hours.. duh..

High Maintenance

I thought I was high maintenance! But what about you, little Inthe-whippet??? You have ruined so many things so far, that we will most definitely have to replace our 6 month old couch to start with. You try to dig holes in the couch, eating all the stuffing while going at it.

Yesterday was a true disaster for us to come home to. We had taken the girls out to dinner, leaving you and Rebba sound asleep on the couch. What a ball the two of you had, while we were enjoying our meal and companionship. You ripped apart three boxes of expensive glucose strips, ruined my new cook book sent to me by my English friends. You bit holes in the new bras I bought the girls and you ripped apart every piece of paper you could find. A pair of sneakers is ready to be trashed, after you chewed on them.

What a mess.. At first we thought it was such a funny sight, but of course we didn't tell you that. We put you and Rebba outside, so we could overlook the damage and clean up the mess. I guess you didn't like us to be out without you? But that's a lame excuse Inthe! You'd better behave, you little rascal!

It's really not okay

I had not eaten all day. I got up in the morning with high blood glucose (probably the result of a nightly low), meaning I needed an insulin correction to bring those numbers down. I know my body well enough. High morning numbers mean that I will not have the best day. I skipped breakfast because otherwise I would have needed even more insulin to cover those carbs. Around lunch, my numbers were still high, even higher than in the morning.. hmhmhm... I skipped lunch as well. Stupid, I know, but using 130 units of insulin on a daily basis is just too much for me, and I'm not prepared to add any more. I wasn't hungry any way, because that's what high numbers do to me. It's not smart to skip meals, I know, don't you Dr Phil me. I know. And I don't do it very often..

My numbers got a little better around dinner time. Coming back from working out, my BG was 83! Great!! Dinner time! I grilled a nice chunk of freshly marinated tuna, one of my favorites. I needed something out of my car, and by the time I got back, both whippets had indulged my dinner.. grumble... Now that is really not okay!!! I had been looking forward to this dinner all day. I was lucky to have home made spring rolls in my freezer, although that was not the plan for today..