Indy The German Shepherd and the African River

Great day today. Swam in the Kromme River again - near the tip of South Africa. Also saw two buck. Had a good bark. Great fun.

The Golden Labrador is my mentor, Benjie.
Cheers
Indy

Training the Trainers of German Shepherds

John has just opened a Book Shop on the Internet. See the link above.  It is all about us German Shepherds. Stacks of books are available - books on training and all sorts of subjects. What a cheek! It's the trainers who need training. Anyway have a look at the John's Bookshop - He really should be reading the books himself. Patricia has got the hang of training better than John - I am a bit wary of messing her around. Funny thing though - I prefer to be told firmly what to do. Patricia is good at giving orders - she was a high school teacher!

See how I have trained Patricia to stand correctly. I gave her a lick as a treat when she got it right - eventually.
Cheers
Indy

German Shepherd Indy Teaching the Recall

At last Patricia has got it! I don't know how many times I have told Patricia and John: If you want me to come to you just call my name and say "Indy - Come!". Then I will come. It's that easy. Such slow learners these humans! (Oh yes - praise is also a plus).
Look at this. You can hear Patricia call me. Watch how I come and sit in front of her.

Indy - 26 November 2011

Look at us puppies socializing at our Club on 26 November 2011

 Great fun!

Wow it is tiring!

Bye - Indy

German Shepherd - Correct way to Stand

What is all this fuss about teaching me to stand "correctly"? Patricia and John just don't get it! They lift my chest to make my front legs stand straight down and then pull my one leg back. What a business! They are not good at all this positioning (both slow learners). I don't like being pulled and pushed. It cheeses me off so I put my ears back to show I am not pleased.

OK here is the truth. I already know how to stand "correctly". It is natural for me to stand this way. Have a look at this:

This is me, standing by the pool. I was not placed in this position. I just stood this way because I like it. (By the way Peter at my Club has already told John quite often that standing like this is natural for us German Shepherds. Perhaps John has at last got the message!)
(OK - I will put my back leg further back ...............  if I feel like it)
Indy

German Shepherd - Simnikan Kennels, where I was born.

Hi
Here is where I was born - Simnikan Kennels in Port Eliabeth. Have a look at the site. Lots of useful information and great pictures. News as well. Check out the new puppies - they make me quite broody!
Which reminds me .....

Here is a picture of me that I am sending to Yako on Velentine's day:






Hi Yako ........

German Shepherd - Left Behind - Disgraceful

I am most upset with John and Patricia. You know what they did? This afternoon they went to my club and didn't take me. That's right. They left me behind! Just because I have not been well. But I am ok now.I fixed myself by waking Pat about an hour before dawn today so I could eat some grass. I realise that is what freeked them out - me eating grass. Eating grass? Yes, of course. We dogs know that eating grass is good for all sorts of problems. Patricia and John have still got so much to learn about how smart dogs are when it comes to self medication. Some day John and Particia will eat grass too. I suppose they will then pretend that grass eating was their idea! Wheeu! These humans! Oh yes - this reminds me .... Patricia and John wake up far too late. Don't worry, I am sorting them out!
Indy

German Shepherd Adoption

Have a look at this internet site about German Shepherd adoption in California. And this similar site in South Africa. Thank you to those people all over the world who care enough to set up and maintain the German Shepherd adoption sites - some of these humans do care very much  about our fellow German Shepherds going through rough times.
Put into Google the words: "German Shepherd adoption" (leave out the " ")  and prepare to be moved emotionally. I won't admit it to Patricia and John but I nearly cried when I read some of the pleas for adoption.
All the best
Indy

The German Shepherd Show 2011 - Saved by Iris - see the pictures

Wow! What a weekend. On Saturday and Sunday (22 and 23 October) our Club (the Algoa Bay German Shepherd Dog Club) held their German Shepherd Dog Show here in Port Eliabeth. Dogs came from all over South Africa. The National President of the Federation, Frikkie van Kraayenburg, was here and we had a German Judge who came all the way from Germany - Herr D Gabriel.


What a business. I have never seen so many German Shepherds in my life (all 8 months of it). There were some really good looking dogs - more about this later (see the last two pictures).

Patricia and John entered me in my age group competition. I had to parade around the ring. I had to run around the ring as well. I had to stand in a special position. Iris was my handler. John and Patricia had to help Iris by calling me and running ahead at the right times. Guess what? They have not caught on yet how to do it properly (slow learners). I was really worried. Then - Iris came to my rescue. Was I lucky? Dead right I was - Iris is an expert handler. So expert that I came 3rd in my class (despite John and Patricia doing all the wrong things, like hiding behind a car as I ran past with Iris).

John took some pictures. Here they are.

                                          A view of the field

                                         A picture of part of the crowd

               Our Chairman Bernd Machle and the German Judge Herr D Gabriel

                                          Me with Iris - Iris saved my day!

                                         On the trot with Iris

Now for the important stuff! The winner of the Open Male Category was a fantastic looker from Cape Town. I insisted that John take his picture. Here it is (It is one thing John did get right!).

                                            The Open Male Winner

Need I say more. I have pinned a picture of him above my bed. Don't you believe me? Have a look at the picture below.

Bye ... Is missing a few heart beats ok?

Indy

Where am I? A game from Indy the German Shepherd. Sani Pass (Drakensberg) holiday - Great service from BMW

                                                            Can you spot me?

Patricia and John are back from a week in the Drakensberg mountains at the foot of the Sani Pass in Natal. They showed me some pictures. Here is a picture taken from the hotel looking over the golf course towards the mountains of Lesotho.

Those mountains in the distance had snow on them just before Patricia and John left for home. Have a look at this.

Wow this is a long blog! Patricia and John had trouble with their car going to Natal. The day was saved by great service from BMW in East London. Here is what John told me happened (it is John's letter to BMW).

How Richard Hancock of BMW Autohaus Monti (East London, South Africa) saved our holiday.

On Wednesday 28th September 2011 we (the writer, my wife and 94 year old mother-in-law) started an 11 hour drive from Port Elizabeth to the Drakensberg mountains in Natal. We were in our BMW 318i (now out of motor plan).

After about 90 minutes at 06:30 am near Grahamstown the car started to lose power. I phoned the BMW emergency number and was advised to have the car checked at a BMW Agent as soon as possible. We decided make a detour and go to Autohaus Monti in East London. I was advised to speak to Richard Hancock (the Aftersales Manager at Autohaus Monti). We set off for East London and on the way I phoned Richard Hancock, explained the problem and said we were coming. He promised to attend to car as soon as we got there. We got to Autohaus Monti at about 10:00 am.

After about 30 minutes Richard Hancock reported to us. The news was not good: the air flow sensor needed replacing but Autohaus Monti did not have the part in stock. Here is how Richard Hancoqck solved the problem. He said: "We don't have the part in stock but my own BMW has the same part so I have taken it out of my own car and put it in your car. Carry on with your trip and next Wednesday on your way back come in and we will fit the new part."

And that is what happened. Richard Hancock and BMW saved our holiday. When I thanked him on our return he simply said "it is BMW policy to keep you on the road". There is only one word to describe the level of service I received:Fantastic.

Thank you Richard Hancock. Thank you BMW.

_______________________________________________________

Bye - from Indy

Indy and Stephen

Here is one of my my favorite pictures - it is me with Stephen

Cheers - Indy

Getting to know Stephen with Benji close by

I met Stephen last week. He is one of Patricia and John's three sons (they have a daughter (Jennifer) as well). Stephen lives in London. He was out for a few days. I really like Stephen. Benji told me about him and how good he is connecting with us dogs. I have met Jennifer and am looking forward some day to meeting Andrew and Mark who live in the US.

Here are some pictures of us with Stephen (four pictures):

                                  Here Benji and I wait for a treat from Stephen

                                           Stephen pointing out something to me

Oh yes - Stephen loves windsurfing. Have a look at this!

                             Stephen wave jumping some years ago. Not for me!

Stephen is a really gifted photographer. Here is a picture of me and Benji that Stephen took with his Leica. Stephen gave permission for the picture to go on the blog.

                              Stephen has gone back to London - I really miss him.

Bye - Indy

Indy the German Shepherd advises us to be Grateful for Each Day

Did you see the video of my first visit to the Kromme River in Africa. Wow -  I enjoyed myself: running free; splashing; paddling; swimming. I lived life to the full that day. What a lesson for us German Shepherds and everyone.

When John and Patricia are not on the computer I like to surf myself. There is plenty on the web about how important it is to live each day to the full.

Do you know the very short poem "Look to this day" by Kalidasa.  Here is a link to it. The insights in the poem can be life changing. John read it at Jennifer and Willem's wedding (Jennifer is John and Patricia's daughter). If you are reading the poem for the first time I guarantee you will remember it for the rest of your life.

Have a look at this video where Louis Schwartzberg, a famous photographer, explains with beautiful pictures why we should be grateful for each day.

Surprised? We German Shepherds think about much more than our next meal!

Indy

Indy salutes the Heroes of September 11 - Link to their Pictures included

We can all be proud of the heroic efforts of almost 100 search and rescue dogs who worked tirelessly at ground zero ten years ago. Until recently, only 12 of these heroes were still alive (and now, apparently 3 have passed on very recently). Here are pictures of the 12. We salute all the dogs who worked so hard on September 11 and afterwards.
Thank you.
Indy

German Shepherd Indy's First Time at Kromme

At last! Today I went to Kromme for the first time. Benji is right - Kromme is everything he promised: lots of great scents; wide open spaces; an exciting river; a really strong feeling that so many of the other family dogs (going back over 60 years) are there. I felt the strong presence of an aristocratic golden labrador. Benji told me he has sensed the presence too. Benji is convinced it is Banjo, Patricia and John's first family dog.

Anyway, I asked John to take pictures and videos of my first Kromme day.

The day started with me getting into the back of the car. Here is where I sat.

My first steps at Kromme were my first steps in the exciting African bush. Here I am jumping out of the car. Sorry about the wind noise. Notice how Benji shows me around

It was a windy/sunny day - here is the Kromme River as I first saw it from the house.

And so we went to the river. I had not seen a river before and so it was a bit mysterious. Benji told me it was great swimming so I eventually plunged in. Wow - the sand is soft. I thought I was stuck. I managed to swim out. John and Patricia were laughing at me and saying I was swimming "doggy paddle" - what cheek, I was using "crawl". I got Patricia laughing on the other side of her face when I shook water all over her.

Here is the video of my first swim - the ending is my favorite part!

The great thing about being down at the river is that there are pools of water to run through and splash Benji at the same time. I am not sure how much Benji enjoys it. Watch out - here come the Blue Angels low over the Bay in San Francisco.

Another first for me was fire - here I am going past my first fire. Benji tells me it is very pleasant lying next to the fire on cold winter evenings when the rain is beating on the corrugated iron roof of the farm house.

Thanks for watching and sharing this important day in my life.

            Cheers! 4 September 2011 - Kromme, South Africa (near the southern tip)
                                                          Indy

Tess in San Francisco?

This brought a lump to my throat. Is it Tess?
John and Patricia's son Andrew (lives in Maryland)  took this picture of his brother Mark (lives in SFO) with a ridgeback on the beach near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco yesterday.
John tells me the beautiful dog is the split image of Tess. Perhaps it was her?

                                                Semper fidelis

Below is a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge also taken by Andrew. Is that the beginning of a rainbow above the bridge?

What a beautiful place.

Indy invites you to witness the faithfulness of Hawkeye the Labrador.

Indy invites you to witness the faithfulness of Hawkeye, a Labrador much loved by Jon Tomlinson, a Navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan on 6 August 2011. 1500 people attended Jon Tomlinson's funeral in Iowa. So did his faithful Labrador, Hawkeye.

View a news report about the late Jon Tomlinson and his funeral.

German Shepherd Training Paticia on Saturday 20th August 2100

Here is a picture of me training Patricia.
She is improving:
At last she is standing straight next to me where I have decided to sit.
One worrying point: See how she is looking at the camera - she should be looking at me for my next command. Oh well, Rome was not built in a day....

                                                   Patricia and me

Indy the German Shepherd - "I am growing fast!"

I looked at myself in the mirror. Guess what I saw.

                                       Cheers! I am growing up fast. August 2011.

Indy the German Shepherd Learns to eat Roman Style

Here is a picture of me eating like a true Roman.

Who taught me how to eat like a Roman?
Benji - of course.
Here is Benji feeding.

Benji showed me this video of him eating Roman style and how it annoyed the late Tess. Enjoy.

Here is a tribute to Tess.

Indy's Favorite Story - Lost in Lion Country

I love stories - especially exciting dog stories. This one is my favorite. Benji told me about it. It's about a Jack Russell lost in lion country in South Africa. How would you like to get lost in the African bush - at night? Every time I hear the story or watch the video (John made the video) I head for the nearest tissue box (I won't tell if you do too).

Here is the story on video:

                          The Night We Lost Pepper In  The African Bush

Legal Stuff: Thank you to the Walker family for giving permission to put the video on YouTube

A corner of paradise is waiting

Benji has told me about a corner of paradise where he used to play with Tess. It is the family hide away at the Kromme River about 70 km west of Port Elizabeth. I have heard Patricia and John saying we will be going there soon. I can't wait! Benji says if you are very quiet you can hear Tess flying across the grass - free, young and healthy.

                                                            Kromme
                                               The view from the house

And here is a video John made of the birds at dawn at Kromme. I am longing to hear them myself.

                      Birds welcoming the dawn at Kromme - at the tip of Africa.

My Birth Place and My Club

Here is where I was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Simnikan German Shepherd Kennels.

Picture coming

This is why my posh name is "India of Simnikan" - that's where my name "Indy" comes from.

Great surroundings. What a wonderful place to come into the world. Read more about my birth place here at Simnikan German Shepherd Kennels.

Would you like to see where I take Patricia and John for training? Click here and have a look.

Training Patricia on Saturday 6th August 2011

Here I am training Patricia at our school for German Shepherd owners. Patricia is wearing the blue jersey.
The first picture is me getting Patricia's attention. See how I have got her to look at me. Excellent! Well done Patricia.

I next tell Patricia to stand  straight and look straight ahead. Look how well she obeys. She got a treat.

Well done Patricia!

PS That is our President in the yellow coat.

Fetching the morning paper for Patricia

Hi
I saw John fetching the morning paper from the driveway and so the next day I fetched it. I do this every morning. John keeps telling every one that I am smart. Not really! I just copied John. It was that simple. Here is a video of me fetching the paper before dawn on 4 August 2011. I take it to Patricia.

Do you hear the African  birds welcoming the dawn?

Playing with the Old Man

Here is a video of me playing with old man, Benji the labrador. He really is a good sport. Watch the end of the video and see my left jab. Cassius Clay - eat your heart out!

The loaf of bread

I had a great time this morning. Guess what? I found a loaf of bread and ate it all. Patricia was worried about me and phoned the vet who told her I would be ok. Real rocket science. I could have told Patricia myself but she didn't ask. The truth is I could have eaten a second loaf.

I went to training this afternoon. Lots of romping with other German Shepherds. I heard John and Patricia telling the other owners that I had eaten a loaf of bread. Big deal. I chatted to some of the other German Shepherd puppies. They were quite envious and admitted that they had their eye on their own loaves of bread and were just waiting for a chance to pounce.

The return of the Queen

Prepare for action stations. The Queen is due to return on Tuesday from London. You guessed, Patricia will be back. I fear the battle for the couch will hot up. John won't admit it but I have had a few couch victories recently, particularly on icy nights watching TV.

I am getting bigger all the time. And my bark, it's getting louder. I am going to have lots of fun barking at anything I feel like - oops, I forgot, The Queen is coming!

Oh yes, I am getting used to my collar and lead.

Tribute to Tess the family ridgeback

As a said in an earlier blog I never met Tess. She died at home on 17th February 2011, resting between John and Patricia's chair in the dining room. I know Tess has been on John's mind. Look at this video John did this morning. Big shoes for me to step into Tess, but I will do my best with plenty of help from Benji.

                                           Tribute to Tess

I told you it was about to rain

That rain from the west just came in. Look at the rain. It's also only 13 degrees C

Keeping watch at the front gate

I am just over 5 months. The front gate is a good place to check what is going on and have a few barks. It's early Sunday so I had better not bark too much. Look at the winter rain coming from the west. (The date is USA time - in future it will be RSA time).

                              What's going on in the big outside world?

Thank you for following

Thank you for following me - 11 countries - remember you can ask for an email update (see top right)

Fascinated by Varied Pitch Whistling

23 June 2011 - I love listening to John when he whistles and makes the pitch go up and down. I hear even better when I put my head on one side. Below is a picture of me listening in super power listening mode. This picture is for real. Don't you believe me? Look at the video below the picture.

                                              What pitch is that?

                                Wow - Listening to whistling is fascinating!
                                                  Look at this video below

                         

Team Indy and Benji strikes back

20 June 2011 - John won't want the dog school to hear about what happened last night.  We were watching the US Open Golf. That young Irish chap Rory is quite good.  I got bored and hopped onto the couch. John had a rush of blood to the head and put my blanket on the couch for me to sleep on. So I jumped up onto the blanket. This was too much for Benji. I suppose Benji thought "If Indy can get on the couch so can I."

So, Benji quietly crept onto the couch as well - right into John's lap. Benji told me he has not been on the couch for years. I smell victory in the battle for the couch.

Important: Do not tell the trainers at the dog school about our success. John may get into hot water. This may make him more determined to get us off the couch.

John's friend Scott took pictures of our two victories. John can't deny we won - last night anyway.

                                     Here I am on the couch

                                 Here is Benji - on the couch as well, following
                                                      my good example

My New Collar

19 June 2011 - Sunday - Here is my new collar. Don't I look smart. I wore it for about an hour and didn't really notice it. I can see one problem - when I wear it on a walk with John I will not be able to yank John around so easily - hmmmm ..... I must think about this one. I hope Patricia doesn't see this picture - I am in flower bed.

                                                      My New Collar

Home Alone

                                       My "Where is the sausage?" look.

17 June 2011 - Patricia has gone to London for just over 2 weeks - So its John, Benji and me, all "home alone" - Its a good chance for me to put John in his place (Patricia is stricter that John) - I don't get on the TV couch much any more but I had a good try when John got back from the airport - I did one of my repeated zoom on and zoom offs - Darn it - John just kept pushing me off - I must admit he gave me a loving pat and  praised me each time I got off  - sorry, each time I was pushed off - We will see who wins this battle.

Did any of you fellow German Shepherds hear the storm last night?- a big piece of plastic guttering blew into our back garden and broke into pieces - I was just enjoying chewing one of the pieces when John took it away from me - Darn it - I will have to look for another piece of gutter- these humans don't get it - chewing broken gutter plastic is fun - John said the sharp bits would hurt my mouth - what does he know?

Tomorrow is Saturday (Vienna sausage day) and so its training at the club at 1:30 pm - I do what I am asked to do just to get the sausage - Those humans are really slow learners!

Indy

Pulling on the Walk - Using a Collar

11 June 2011 - I went to my training school this afternoon. What I expected happened. John asked for advice on stopping me pulling on my walk. You know I wear a harness for walks. He was told that my harness is for pulling and tracking and not for walks (as if I didn't know that!). Anyway. John was told to get a soft collar for walks. John was told he can control me better with a collar. We will see about that! Humans must understand that we German Shepherds are leaders. We lead the walk. We drag our owners. John is in for a shock. When he puts the collar on me I will start spinning round and round. Like when I chase my tail. That will make him put the harness back on...............Hang on........................... What if John makes it a rule: No collar and lead, no walk? I suppose that I will then have to go along with the collar plan. Hmmmmmm..... I will have to think about this one.

I like the training school. It's great meeting the other German Shepherds. It's called socialising. My sister was there this afternoon. The problem is that John is learning all sorts of things about training - that is a polite way of saying John is learning how to get me to do what he wants by making me enjoy doing it.  The joke is on him though - I see John is being trained as well! What a dumb human - he needs more training than I do.

Pulling like a husky

10 June 2011 - This afternoon during my nap I dreamed that I was a husky pulling a sledge through the snow. It was the famous husky race in Canada. I had this super harness on. I pulled and heaved the sledge with ease. We won. Wow, I enjoyed it. When I woke after my nap I wished I was a husky. Then at about 6 this evening my dream came true. Benjie and I went for a walk with Patricia and John. John put a harness on me and off we went. Husky time! I imagined I was back in the husky race. I pulled John for the whole walk. I had great fun darting from side to side as I dragged him along. I heard John muttering about all the pulling. He had better realise that I am a champion husky. Champion of the far north. More pulling tomorrow. John better be ready! Oops, it's training at my Club tomorrow. Maybe John thinks he will get some tips on stopping me pulling. I am ready for anything. I should have been a husky. Beware the power puller is here!
Indy

My Mudbath

10 June 2011 - Wow this rain is fun. I made a mudbath outside the kitchen. It was great fun rolling in the mud. I took some mud into the kitchen - I thought the others would like to enjoy the mud too.
Indy

                                                                  Here is the mudbath

 

                                                 My step brother Benji looking at the mud

                                                                        My mug shot

My weight

1 June 2011           17.8 kg
9 June 2011           18.3 kg

The Battle for the Couch

8 June 2011 - Cold here in Port Elizabeth - So, I hopped onto the TV couch - why not? - nice and warm - Here is Patricia and John's latest trick - they have put my bed in the TV room - Its a really nice bed - look at how Patricia pats my bed - darn it! - I fell for the trick (note: I did not jump on the bed immediately - I kept them waiting to show I am still the boss- what are they going to do about that?) - Indy

The Battle for the Bed

6 June 2011
I have decided to take over this bed as my bed. John and Patricia think it is their bed. Don't they know "might is right"? The trouble is that I have heard them plotting how to get me off the bed. I hope they give me a treat every time I obey and get off the bed. What a pleasure. I will keep jumping on the bed just to get a "get off" treat every time. That will fool them. What might work is if they simply pick me up and put me off the bed. If they do that all the time I may give up the idea of getting on the bed at all.
Secret: I have asked a few other German Shepherds if they like it on a bed. They all say they do. Some whisper they their owners do allow them to sneak on the bed sometimes. Shush ........ No names no pack drill!
Any comments from my fellow German Shepherds? Owners can comment too but remember I monitor comments from non-German Shepherds.
PS I also like the couch in the TV room.

Helping clean the pool (sort of helping)

1 June 2011 - Helping mom clean the pool - late afternoon.

My Food

1 June 2011 - Went to the vet today - had my injection - sounds like I will be spayed at around 10 months - I was weighed - 17.8 kg - I get 400 gm of dry puppy food - I must be weighed once a week so that I get the right amount of food - saw the SA Dog whisperer at the vet - Patricia and John are going to attend the Whisperer's presentation on Thursday - PS I still am not keen on wearing a harness. Patricia and John will tell me about the Dog Whisperer's advice - I will give you a report - I am not worried, I will outsmart these humans any day.
PS My ears have been up s lot today (Between you, me and the gatepost I think I am looking great).

Having a drink

31 May 2011 - Stormy day here - I need a quick drink to start the day -

What on earth is that? A bird!

Ears coming up!

29 May 2011 - My ears came up for quite a time today - here is a picture of me taken this morning.

Training

28 May 2011 - I went to training today - Bit of socializing - Started to learn  "sit", "come" and "down". Good fun. Met another female puppy - Training at the Algoa Bay German Shepherd Dog Club Port Elizabeth - John and Patricia met some very helpful people - I saw some very big German Shepherds! They have special dog trailers. Here is the link to my club.

Chewing

25/5/2011 - John and Patricia yelp and walk off when I give them a chew. So, chewing is becoming a bit boring.  I think I will chew something else, not them!

Mouthing and Chewing

24 May 2011 - I still enjoy a bit of mouthing. I am just checking if I am No. 1! I noticed John looking at this site on mouthing on the internet. Who gave the game away? It looks as if I will be ignored if I bite - even playfully. Oh well. Any comments?

Mouthing and Chewing

24 May 2011 - These new teeth are coming through. They make me want to chew everything - including Patricia and John's hands and arms. I wish they would give me something else to chew when I chew them. How are you other puppies getting on with chewing?

Tummy better

23 May 2011 - I am much better. Perhaps mixing some chicken and rice with my pellets did the trick. Who knows? The chicken tasted great. I think the trouble with my tummy started when I was given too many treats! What do you other dogs think?

Tess

Tess was a member of our family. She was a Rhodesian Ridgeback. She was born in Port Elizabeth on 1st July 2000 and died at home on 17th February 2011. Benjie, John and Patricia often speak about her. I am very sorry I never met her. The family speak a lot about how loyal and loving she was. Benjie tells me this is what happened to her at the end.. A few day before she died the vet found she had a huge tumor. John and Patricia got medicine to help her and brought her home. Two days later Tess had a very bad night. John and Patricia went to golf at about 7:30 am. While they were at golf, at about 8 o'clock Tess got up, walked all around the pool and garden she loved, wandered across the tennis court and into the back garden where she often lay in the sun. She then went into the dining room and lay down between John and Patricia's chairs. She was lying there when she left for the rainbow bridge. Benjie tells me he is certain Tess is already at the rainbow bridge, waiting. Benjie remembers fondly the fun he and Tess had together - here is a video of Benjie and Tess at meal time.

My new stepbrother "Benjie" (left) with Patricia and Tess

Here is a picture of my stepbrother Benjie with Pat and the late Tess.Benjie is eight years old and a bit old fashioned. Sometimes he gets irritated with me, especially when I lick his face. I don't know why he gets cross when I lick him - I am only trying to tell him he is boss. Perhaps it was because he had a delicious hoof in his mouth at the time? Anyway, I am learning a lot from him - like zooming to the gate in the garden when the bell rings. More about Tess in a later blog.

My Ears

22 May 2011 - My ears are coming up! That left ear is much better now and the right ear is slowly getting better. The problem is I am still teething. I heard the vet telling John and Pat that the muscles at the top of my head need to develop before my ears will come up. So, at the moment I have "friendly ears"- according to the internet.

Food

22 May 2011 - I really enjoy my food. At the moment I am having puppy pellets. John gives them to me at about 7 am and 6 pm. They taste great. I polish them off really quickly. My tummy has run bit so Pat is mixing some chicken and rice with the pellets. Thing are getting better!.

Welcome

22 May 2011 - Hi, I am a German Shepherd and live with my family in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.  I was born on 21st January 2011. I am a girl. Patricia and John head up my family. I now have an 8 year old labrador as an adopted  brother - his name is "Benjie". Above is a picture of me taken about 2 weeks ago.