Foods good and bad

Tags

dachshunds, dogs, economy, Food, Oil, Ukraine, war

To continue with my story about Nicky and Nora, Nick will not jump on anything, so I have to lift him up unto the sofa. Nora just jumps and is very independent. Nick is the whiner, not only do you have to lift him up, he then expects you to tuck him into his blanket and say a few soothing words and a cuddle. Nora needs no help and she keeps one eye on you at all times, Nick falls asleep. He is happiest if I am sitting next to him and he snuggles up in his blanket and I put my arm over him. Then he feels perfectly safe and falls into a very deep sleep and dreams. Last night he was sound asleep when all of a sudden he starts to dream and he huffs and puffs, his face twitches, his eyebrows move up and down and he starts to have muffled barks and growls, his claws come out. I do not wake him up it’s his dream. It passes soon enough and when he wakes up, he looks at me as if to say, where am I. Nora also dreams and also has these little episodes, we always wonder what they are dreaming about.

About food, when shopping at the grocery store I am continually surprised that we have so much on offer, from frozen foods of all kinds, to a large variety of meatless products, natural, bio, gluten free, halal meat, we do not have kosher on the island despite our Jewish community of 260 people. Then the ancient grains and other combinations. Apparently ancient grains are so much better for you, your ancestor the cave guy ate them all the time. There are a lot of food fads around and they do not last. What about these doctors who beg you not to eat this or that fruit or vegetable, where does that come from? There are a lot of scams out there.

On instagram there is a plethora of physical fitness, training instructors who constantly push diets, eat this and eat that. Do’s and don’ts, carb and protein, etc. I simply cannot pay attention to any of it. Also most of these guys are under 30, there entire life is at the gym, morning, noon, night. When not at the gym they travel to Mexico or Thailand for a vacation. I found them vacuous during the height of Covid, it was party, party in packed discos and now with war in Europe, they look mindless, their lives appear out of any real context, it’s still party time, not a care in the world. They must all be millionaires or….

What is also the fascination with Dubai? I don’t get it. To me Dubai is and was a duty free city and nothing else. It is all about shopping for luxury products and cars. Again why would you want to live there for an extended period of time, as a young person. It is all very strange.

Gas in PEI is now $7.90 a gallon. the price went up another .10 cents this morning. It had gone up .12 cents 2 days ago and I am sure it is going to continue to rise even more. The big question here on the Island is what to do, people love buying big gas guzzlers, F-150 trucks and giant SUV, you can well imagine the cost now at the pump. It is all about putting priority on status symbols. An interview this morning on the radio, asking people will they consider buying an electric car, no comes the reply, this hike is just temporary. HELLO!!!! no it’s not, but they will find out soon enough with the war in Europe and the disruption it brings to the world economy. Next came a report on the price of food, Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe and Canada is a huge producer of wheat, we had a very bad harvest in the last 2 years due to climate change, guess what, food prices will continue to climb. This with rising interest rates will create a storm for many who have over extended themselves. Economists have shown that the average Canadian for every $1.00 earned owes $1.64 in debt. How do you get out of that one? Too many hope the Government will provide a miracle cure. I am always surprise how few understand basic economics.

Dachshunds

Tags

dachshunds, dogs, life, Travel

For the past 32 years we have had 4 Dachshunds, from smooth to long to wire hair.

They all came from various places, the first one was born in Cairo, Egypt, the next one was born just outside Chicago, the two present ones were born in Capena, just outside Rome.

They all travelled extensively with us, probably our first dachshund Bundnie did travel quite a bit from Egypt to Canada and back and then to Poland to Canada and then to Chicago and back to Canada. A lot of her travel was done with KLM who had a very solid reputation with transporting animals. The worst was Air Canada who pay no attention to live cargo and have all manner of ridiculous rules.

Yes we do treat all of them very well and they know it. Just this week we were at the Vets to make sure that all was well with Nicky and his eyes and with Nora and her health in general. Yesterday I was at the pet store to pick up some food for Nicky and they no longer have the brand I would usually buy for him and spent a good deal of time speaking with the sales person about various options. Dog food is not cheap and quality mix of ingredients is important.

The thing about Dachshunds is how clever they are and stubborn. They are little prima donnas and know what button to push to get their way. What I find amazing is the routine they have developed with us. An example, I have to give Nicky eye drops x2 a day, Nora watches very carefully what I am doing, then she wants a cookie for watching. You cannot say no, impossible, she will stomp her paw and give you dirty looks, even ignoring you or sulking. Same in the kitchen, she expects and gets, so does Nicky a treat of anything we cook or prepare, lots of modulated wining. So we think of ourselves as their personal attendants from sun up to sun down. It’s a full time job.

On Instagram I follow quite a few sites with Dachshunds in Europe, they are all Wire Hair, lots of mountain hikes and running, something our two do not do, they have turned into couch potatoes. This February they are 13 years old.

They also know our two different approaches to their demands and wants. With Will they are more willing to whine and complain and they know he will give them what they want. With me it is different, they seem to know that I have no patience and will not give treats for whatever reason they can come up with, so they simply go to Will instead. I took them to the groomer last month in Kensington about 40 minutes away. Both were very quiet in the car and slept on the way. Will has accompanied me on some occasions and then both will fidget and whine. You have to wonder what goes on in their little heads.

Our four dachshunds were all very different in character and temperament, they were and are quite a presence in the house.

Birthday week

Tags

Birthday, Christmas, dogs, life

Will had his birthday and 2 cakes. The first party we had African food from Kenya prepared by Makena who has been in the catering/restaurant business for 20 years. She is also a member of our club. It was all very good. The cake was a beautiful rich buttercream cake prepared by Valerie who has done at least 6 other cakes for me over the years. This is a hobby of hers but the results are always outstanding, she is also a member of the Club. The music was done by Nathan C. and we have a special connection to him because 6 years ago when we came looking for a place to live in Charlottetown, we met Nathan through other friends of ours. He and his then wife were playing at a Club and everyone enjoys his music which is a mix of old classics and other things. He mentioned that night that he had bought a house and was moving out from his current location. We went to look at it and it was exactly what we were looking for. So this is how we found this wonderful place we live in now. We have of course kept in touch with Nathan and his new partner through the years. So I asked him to come and play at Will’s Party. It was perfect with the old fireplace giving a nice glow to the room.

Buttercream with natural vanilla paste, which gives it this yellow appearance.

On Friday the Club President threw another party for Will and all the members sang the Birthday song and he had another cake. He also raised $1000 in a Go fund me drive for the Animal Humane Shelter in Charlottetown. So all is well all around.

Today Will is making Ginger Biscotti and they are baking in the oven the smell is divine throughout the house.

Now this weekend we start the Christmas decorations and this week I will do the shopping for our Christmas Luncheon. I did not want to try out the weekend crowds, too many people a little crazy.

Next week we have one get together at our Lawyer who lives down the street from us. Then we have the Christmas dinner at the Club, there will also be entertainment.

In other news, Nicky’s cataract situation is not getting better, the vet is proposing another treatment and some radical approach and frankly we are thinking about it all. I just wonder now if I am getting the best advice for the money. Our main concern is that he not suffer in any way. More to come this week, we will see.

Yesterday and Today

Tags

Cardigan, dental, dogs, Greenwich, life, Mik Maq, Parks, PEI, Seafood, Vet

Well yesterday we were at Greenwich National Park on the Atlantic side (North side) of the Island at Havre Saint Pierre known to the english as St-Peter’s Bay. A spectacular park, rich in fauna and very quiet where the only noise is the birds and small animals in the forest and the surf just beyond the giant sand dunes.

Greenwich was established as a National Park on PEI, one of many, in 1970 with the purchase of the Sanderson Family Farm. The Sandersons sold their land as the sand dunes were moving and encroaching unto their farm land, it was unstoppable and this also created other changes to the farm land they owned.

In this picture you can clearly see the land mass surrounded by sea water, the dunes forming a high barrier with a beach and the interior is more sand with Marran grass and fresh water pond, spruce and birch forests on sandy soil. Lots of wild flowers and small mammals, like red squirrels, voles, meadow mice, minks, foxes, Northern Harriers, Eagles, snowshoe Hare, Sparrows, warblers, American red start, short tailed weasels. Many beautiful flowers growing in large numbers everywhere.

The most fascinating part is the floating walkway across the Bowley Pond. This year the water level was low due to the very dry summer we had, only 30 cm of water when you can easily have upwards of 1 meter.

Finally after a 4 km walk you arrive at the foot of the sand dunes and a built wooden staircase take you up and over to the beach. It is strictly forbidden to walk on the dunes. Vast swath of Lichen and Marram grass stabilizes the dunes.

This photo is taken from the top of the dunes looking down to the beach and the sea.

Clean and quiet, so pleasant.

Going back to the park area this is the view of the serpentine floating dock.

To think that this beautiful park and beach is just 35 minutes from our home in Charlottetown.

We also met during our visit a Mik Maq elder, his people have inhabited the area for 10,000 years. He was very interesting to talk to. His name Junior Peter-Paul. The Mik Maq live all over the Maritime Provinces and were closely allied and inter-married with the French Acadians until 1755 when the deportation (ethnic cleansing) took place.

He and Michael Sark a fellow Mik Maq had built using traditional knowledge a Birch Bark Wigwam and explained how it was done and all the symbolism that goes into such a construction. The 7 internal rings to give it rigidity are made of birch, cherry, maple saplings and symbolize the 7 sacred teachings on Respect, Courage, Humility, Love, Truth, Wisdom and Honesty. Spruce roots are use to tie it all together. The birch bark is cut in a specific manner and dried also following a specific custom. Upon inspection it looked like leather skins. The door always faces East for the rising Sun. I had never thought much about it and so it was interesting to hear about the techniques used from an Elder who had the knowledge.

Here in Charlottetown a new Mik Maq cultural centre is opening a stone throw from our house, an impressive building on the water’s edge.

After our walk we decided to go to Cardigan a small settlement in the vicinity of Georgetown and Montague. The restaurant Clam Diggers offers a very good menu of fish and fresh seafood. The portions are good and the seafood come directly from the wharf off the boats. Can’t ask for better really. The good thing is that Clam Diggers will remain open this Winter. As their name indicates Clams the big ones are featured on several dishes.

Today was another adventure, our Nicky went to the Dentist for his annual teeth cleaning. The appointment was at 8 o’clock, he had no breakfast and no water since the night before. We went out for our walk and then directly to the car. He gave me a funny look like, What? Where is my breakfast? When we got to the Vet he was not happy and could sense it was not a good thing, other dogs looked nervous and Nicky gave me the look, don’t leave me here. It all went well and I picked him up at 2:30pm. Next week it’s Nora’s turn. Our Vet is very good and has a nice gentle touch with them.

We have been played…

Tags

dogs, home, life, Vet

Well we were back at the Atlantic Veterinary College, AVC at UPEI with Nick and Nora for their annual shots and physical exam etc. Our Vet, Dr West is a charming man with years of experience. Because of the pandemic the protocol is for us to stay in the small parking lot of the college, the lot is surrounded by gardens with mature trees and you can enjoy a nice breeze in the shade. One garden is dedicated to poisonous plants. Nick and Nora were whisked inside by the nurse. Dr West came out a little later to tell us what was happening and while talking about the hounds, Dachshunds belong to the hound family,  he told us something we knew from having dogs for 30 years, that they (Nick and Nora) were playing us to get what they wanted.  Walt Disney lied, they are not all sweetness, they are mostly calculating.

Reesie Of Chicago and Bundnie of Cairo in Ottawa in 1995 in the Fall on our home deck.

Nora of Capena and Fantastico Nicky in Ottawa in 2013 in our den.

Our Dachshunds we learned are too clever for words and by constantly observing us they get to know which buttons to push to get a treat, we say Biscuit or wanting to be put up on the sofa, or wanting their blanket re-arranged so they can nestle, go out for a walk, they usually decide where we will go or a myriad of other demands. They are also punctual about meals 07:30am for breakfast and 5:00pm for dinner and do not forget. We get dirty looks and low growl if the service is not punctual. Walks at 10am and then at 2pm and 4pm finally at 9pm.

Right now it is a few minutes, 10 to be exact, before dinner and already Nicky is moaning as if in pain for his dinner. Nora simply let’s him do it but gives pleading looks. We also have a routine for breakfast which is always followed by a small piece of banana, after dinner a small piece of cheese usually gouda. At cocktail time as I reach for ice for drinks, they expect a sliver of ice each. Little rituals we cannot depart from.  If food is being prepared they are in the kitchen and will not be moved.

When it comes to their health, we do watch carefully, last Thursday night I spent 5 hours at the AVC but it was worth it and yesterday Dr West confirmed that Nora was better and this week she would make a full recovery. Nick got his shots and will have to return for teeth cleaning and so will she. Hopefully it is just a cleaning not extraction. Vet service in Canada is very expensive compared to elsewhere in the World.

Though they are cunning, they are also adorable and we created this situation by spoiling them and catering to their needs. They learn very quickly if food is involved and never forget. Will often remarks how they cannot remember commands unless their meal is being prepared. Nora also has the habit of listening to you as long as you are in sight, the minute your back is turned, she will revert to what she was doing completely forgetting whatever you said. If we scold her for something she takes this offended look. Our Bundnie who was a short hair Dachshund use to turn her back on us if displeased with us.

Now it is just past 10 pm and Nicky has been sleeping next to me in the living room, he suddenly wakes up, looks at me with his big eyes, I ask him if he wants to go sleep  or Do Do in French and he jumps down and runs to his kennel and blanket because he will get a treat. Nora follows this little manège and does not move from the sofa but she too will want a treat. When she finally goes to bed she will get another treat and Nicky will wake up just so he too can get an extra treat. How they can go from deep slumber to wakefulness in seconds is beyond my understanding.

So we will just have to live with it I suppose and think of ourselves as personal assistants to them. As long as they are in good health and happy that is all that matters.

 

 

 

Dachshund Philosophy

Tags

dogs, Food, humans, life, routine

We have had Dachshunds in our lives now for 30 years, they are a very smart breed of dogs and very perceptive. Of course we treat ours like our children and spoil them rotten. A dangerous thing to do with Dachshunds because they know what buttons to push to get what they want.

Our very first Dachshund was Bundnie a short hair female born at the French Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. She came into our lives probably too young but Bundnie had tons of character and lived to be 17 years old, travelling all the time around the world with us. She would pee on people’s shoes for any reasons, it was endearing and people loved her.

The second one Reese was a long hair Dachshunds. We met him in Chicago in 1993. Bundnie was not to please to see him and at first treated him as if he was a visitor and maybe he should leave. Reese was deaf and we discovered this late in his life. He was a beautiful sweet little dog , he too travelled with us and lived to be 16 years old.

When Reesie died in Rome on Boxing Day we were very sad, it was strange to be without his presence in the house. So a little over a year later, friends told us of this well known Veterinarian in Capena. Our friends lived just down the road from him in a rural setting which is the backdrop for Italian movies, making you want to buy a house in Italy.

On our first visit they did not have any litter but told us to return in February. We did and saw two litters, in one was this feisty little female pup and in the other this shy little male pup. Both were new born and if we were interested we would have to return in 6 to 7 weeks time. We came back and decided to take Nora and Nicky.

Through the years we have developed a routine with them. Routine is very important for any dog, always the same time for waking up, for meals, for walks, for play, etc.. It must never change because it makes them unhappy and you get problems. In our case, having Dachshunds means that they set the routine and you simply follow it. If you don’t they will let you know, no worries.

Unlike cats like Moose and Dudo, the famous duo who live on the Costa del Sol in Spain with fellow bloggers, and because they are cats are more independent minded, dogs need structure and routine. As our Vet told us, be careful with Dachshunds because they will always try to control the situation and see what are your weak points. So they can play on weakness to get more treats, food, etc.

Nicky per example has developed this mannerism of head movements to indicate what he wants. Nora has developed a language based on voice modulations, high, low, intermediate. Growls also which go from soft to plaintive to strong to loud, all depending on what she wants from you, it is quite the vocabulary.

Nicky has this way of whining for his dinner always at 5pm, no later!!! In the morning he wakes us up usually around 7:30am, one very loud and sharp bark, a short walk outside and then breakfast, then a snooze, a first of many during the day. Every morning I will sit in my chair in the living room to have my coffee and read the morning news. Nicky will immediately come and indicate by moving his head that he will sit next to me. I pick him up and he proceeds to fall asleep with me stroking his head and telling him he is a good boy. If for some reason I do not come to sit down, he will fetch me with much whining and head jerks towards the chair. If I do not follow his lead, there is much incomprehension. Same thing if we go for a walk, whereas Nora loves to walk and meet people, I mean people who give her treats, the others can go jump in the river. Like all the Public Works and Garden City employees, Nora loves them. The tourists depends on what kind. Nicky on the other hand is weary of people in general and he likes women more than men. Nicky can be funny on walks, either he leads you literally where he wants to go and come on lets go attitude or he simply sits down and nothing will move him. So we have to go home, unless of course I pick him up and walk him further along. He will give me this indignant look, as if to say “” what do you think you are doing”” .

Here is Nicky on his morning snooze beside me while I take my coffee. He loves this every morning, all snug and comfy. Thing is I cannot go anywhere and if I get up for whatever reason, he looks at me to call me back along the line; Hey you! come back here now. So it all boils down in a dachshund life, to sleep a lot (we are hounds), eat and don’t be shy about asking for that piece of cheese, carrot, celery, cucumber or steak or ham or … and enjoy the sunshine and a good rub and keep your human attendant on a short leash.

 

The parents

Tags

Capena, dogs, Italy, Wire hair

Today 19 February is Nora’s Birthday and I am posting photos of her parents.

Nora’s Mom named Lucy, she still lives at the Farm in Capena and is now 14 yrs old.

Nora’s Dad, named Monet, photo taken in March 2009.

Later this week we will have Nicky’s Birthday, his Father came from Budapest. As part of a breeding program for champion dogs.

The Birthday girl enjoying a bit of sunshine. 

 

Two dates

Tags

Capena, dachshunds, dogs, Giorgio Porcino, life, Rome, Tiziana Tola

The 19 and 23 February is the 11th Birthdays of Eleonora (Nora) and Fantastico Nicky (Nicky) born in Capena, Italy in 2009 at the Casa degli Orsi owned by Tiziana Tola and her husband the celebrated veterinarian Professor Dottore Massimo Buzzanca.

Both are known in Italian as Bassotto Tedescho (German Bassett hound) or Dachshunds. All of their dogs have won numerous trophies and honours in Italy and in Europe. They usually have only one or two litters per year. We came upon their farm on the recommendation of friends who lived near them in the countryside. A very beautiful place with lots of mature trees and a big pond with giant Koi fish.

We had a contest on the internet to name them and settled on Nick and Nora from the film series Nick (William Powell) and Nora Charles (Myrna Loy). Nick and Nora Charles are fictional characters created by Dashiell Hammett in his novel The Thin Man. The characters were later adapted for film in a series of films between 1934 and 1947; for radio from 1941 to 1950; for television from 1957 through 1959; as a Broadway musical in 1991; and as a stage play in 2009.

We first saw them in late February, still very small with their mother and other siblings. We returned to pick them up some 7 weeks later. The road back to Rome to our home on Via dei Villini was only eventful in the fact that Nora looked afraid but quiet and Nick was whimpering all the way. They were sitting in the back with Will.

In Rome they were used to their walks in the centre of the City around our home, a quiet leafy area. Nora loved to put her head under the Nassone which is a drinking fountain with continuous flow of water coming from the mountains around the city. The water is very cold and she loved it. Then in July 2011 they flew to Canada with us as our time living in Rome ended with regret. Arrivederci Roma!

Nicky and Nora are always with us, if we travel we have a babysitter to look after them at home.  Tiziana Tola and many friends including our Vet in Rome, Giorgio Porcino told us be careful because they can be controlling, always pushing the limits to see who is in charge. Nora thinks she is in charge and can be very demanding and at the same time plays coquette. Nicky on the other hand is a cry baby, it was funny when he was a puppy but not at 11 he is an old dog but hey it works and he knows it. We are certainly at their service.

That day at the Farm Casa degli Orsi when they came with us to Rome. Nora (L) Nick (R). By law the owners have to have microchips for each dog upon purchase and they are also registered with the Italian Government for identity purposes.

Nick enjoying the sun in our Roman living room, to this day he enjoys sleeping in full sunlight.

Nora learning to type at 3 months. She is good at sending E-cards to people.

A three tier birthday cake with marzipan. Since birth and being with us we have spoiled them with pieces of celery and carrots, pieces of gouda and cheddar cheese and in the morning sometimes Will will give them a small piece of his bagel with cream cheese. Nora loves Espresso but we do not give it to her, she still tries to but her big nose in the cup.

They also get regular check ups at the UPEI Vet College. The Vets know them quite well to a point where if we call the clinic, the staff know their names by heart. Our old vet from the time we had our first two dachshunds Bundnie and Reesie said to us that when he died he wanted to come back as our dog because we took such good care of them.

Nick (L) and Nora (R)

Events and things

Tags

dachshunds, dogs, Events, Holiday, hounds, life, sleep, XMAS

First this photo of our Nicholas or Nicky for his friends. Every morning same routine, Nick loves to get up at 7:30am to go out for a short walk and then quickly in for his breakfast. Then he looks for a spot of sunshine and will lie in the sun like any hound loves to do. If there is no Sun well then he will point me to my chair in the living room by making funny little nasal growls, softly, plaintively and moving or jerking his head to indicate over there. I go sit down with my morning Espresso and he comes to sleep by me. Nothing complicated and it makes him happy, just snoozing away, such a good boy.

As we come to the end of the Year 2019 and Christmas is just around the corner, I looked at my calendar for the past year, counted 85 events attended during the year. I also did at least 60 coffee mornings with various people, many with local politicians one on one to talk about issues. I am not counting all the other general activities on any given day like looking after Mr Nicky and Ms Nora.

Today is Black Friday, essentially an American tradition which jumped over into Canada. We bought a new Dutch oven from Paderno a well known maker of Canadian pots and pans and a local company, huge discount of 75% on the price. This is quality stuff and is usually not cheap. Could not resist and went to Canadian Tire to get a 6 Litre Dutch oven.

I also went to buy our Xmas Crackers for the table, they are all made in England, I also got fancy little bags to given to each one of our guests on Christmas Day Lunch. We will stuff the bags with nice small gifts and things. Our guests love those and the surprise is different for all, no one gets the same thing, there will be a candy cane, some chocolates usually filled with liquor from Anthon Berg of Denmark, a small candle, a fragrant fancy soap, some nuts in their shell and I don’t know what else.

Our crackers will be colourful, I really like those ones and their contents. I don’t know if a lot of people do crackers. Do You ?

Today the weather is quite bad, high winds around 70Km, rain changing into snow squalls tonight. The Santa Parade has been moved to Sunday which is suppose to be sunny.  Horrors of horrors, I saw my first snow plow today, spreading salt on the road.

Oh well, it’s Winter or late Fall …..

 

 

 

 

390 BCE and roof repairs

Tags

390 BCE, dogs, Gaul, Geese, juno, Rome

What is the link between having your roof repaired and the sack of Rome by the Gauls in 390BCE you might ask. Well a lot I tell you.

Today the roofing company came to do maintenance work and replace the old roof on our house. Nora our little wire hair Dachshund is a hunting/tracking dog by nature and a guard dog by choice. She guards the house and her excellent sense of hearing and sight allows her to detect anything even if it is 600 feet away, nothing escapes her. She also has a very sharp sense of smell.

So with all the noise of the roofers she was distressed about the noise and all the people, warning us with her sharp high pitch hound bark of impending invaders, doom I tell you.

Nicky our male Dachshund well he just can’t snooze quietly with all this noise and that is annoying, no he won’t bark unless provoked. Nicky is a show dog with a long European pedigree, he is on the catwalk of life, paparazzi, gourmet biscuit for the idle dachshund. Let Nora do all the work I don’t need to get involved. His ancestors are Italian so no doubt they slept when during the night in 390 BCE the Gauls invaded Rome.

It was up to the Sacred Geese of Juno to sound the alarm. Had Nora been there she would have repulsed those uncouth Gauls back and off the Capitoline Hill.

Nora with her fierce look and Nicky in profile looking noble and aloof. Stranieri lascia Roma says Nora in her best Italian or Latin, Roma externi relinquo!