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