The phone is ringing.
This is Laila, Cookie's breeder and owner of Audi's father.
"What are you going to do on Sunday, September 7th? Do you want to go to Store Hestedag in Roskilde? My answer is a clear NO, as I have a lot to do that weekend."
On September 7th I get up early. Cookie and I are going to Store Hestedag, together with Laila and Rocky, Audi's father. Of course I let myself be persuaded. Lucas, our youth member of 14 years, has organized a Schipperke stand all weekend on Store Hestedag, of course we support it.
At 7:30 on Sunday morning we are sitting on the ferry from Aarhus towards Sjællands Odde. Cookie is happy to see Laila and Rocky. She has loved Rocky since she was a little puppy. When she was born, he was just a big puppy of 13 months. Despite that, he helped look after the puppies. The little ones had a fantastic uncle in him. Not least, Cookie is happy to come along on the trip.
We have been a little concerned that Laila and Rocky might not make it to Roskilde. In addition to Rocky, Laila also has Dolly, who is due on September 10. Fortunately, there is no sign yet that Dolly is going to give birth, so she is being looked after by a friend.
There are many families with children on board the ferry. During the first twenty minutes, three families have been with us with their small children under two years old. It is touching to see how gently our dogs welcome them. Rocky is a visiting dog during the elderly care. Cookie is a certified reading dog.
Cookie was born with a circus rocket in her backside, so she shows off all the tricks she can while we're sailing. Mom has cookies in her pocket. Eventually, though, she settles down in my hoodie.
Store Heste-(Dog)-dag is a lot bigger than I had imagined. There are people, horses, dogs and things everywhere, noise and unrest. I am glad that Cookie is as stable in her psyche as she is. Over the weekend, 32,000 people have visited Roskilde Dyrskueplads.
The square is designed so that all the dog breed stands are gathered right at the main entrance. Not far from there, there are dog dancing, hoopers and many other dog-related things going on.
While Laila takes Rocky to the race parade, I unpack our many things and build an enclosure for the dogs with Cookie. The weather in September can be difficult to predict, so I have brought no less than two of my DogCoach jackets. The hoodie and the shell jacket.
In total we are 7 schipperkes with people, as we are the most: Rocky, Larsen, Pippi, Cleo, Cookie, Wonder and the puppy Freddy. Pippi was born stump-tailed, so we have all FCI-approved variants represented.
During the day, a lot of people come by our stand, and we get to hear a lot about our lovely breed, both the positive and a few negative things. It's really nice.
Next to our stand, there are judging sessions for various dogs. It's a really fun exhibition that everyone can participate in.
The fact that our family was enriched with the DV mare Iblanco in the early summer means that I know it can be expensive to move into the market part of the square. Fortunately, I choose not to take Cookie there. It is hot, and there are really many people. She is having fun with Rocky and Laila in the meantime. I control myself and settle for buying a halter no. 9 for the horse, plus various small things.
During the afternoon, Laila gets a message from home. “Dolly is restless, not eating and choking. We’re going to pick up the food box now.”
It's hard to say who is more worried. Dolly who is in labor, or Laila who is far from home. This is Dolly's second litter, and she is in familiar hands, but it is still safest to be present when the dog goes into labor. Furthermore, it can take up to three days from the time the dog is in labor until she gives birth.
We have booked a place on the ferry in advance, so we quietly start packing up and saying goodbye to drive to the ferry. We have about an hour's drive to Zealand's tip. On the way, a message comes in. Dolly has gone into labor. Three puppies have arrived!
I can tell that Laila is stressed. She would SO much rather be at home with Dolly than in a car on Zealand with me. At Odden she can't control herself anymore and calls home to see if Dolly is okay. She is, says her friend - she has given birth to six puppies - one more than the scan showed the week before. Laila is in a mix of shock, pride, joy and fatigue, and it pours out of her eyes.
The dogs are also tired after the day's adventures, so they are allowed to stay in the car while Laila and I sit down in the ferry's restaurant. It is now 7:30 p.m. We will be sitting together, a family with a couple of children aged about 8 to 9.
Laila proudly tells one boy that her dog has just given birth to six puppies. The look on her face is priceless as the boy exclaims, “AD! I know where they came from.” Then we have a long talk about dogs.
At 9 pm, Cookie and I, very tired, land at home in Tvingstrup.
It has been a long but pleasant day.
In a few weeks we'd better take the trip over to Laila to see the little bandits and say hello to mom Dolly.
About this week's blogger:
Helene is an early retiree and spends a large part of her time with her animals. The animal team consists of 4 dogs, 1 cat, 15 free-range chickens, approx. 80 aviary birds and her daughter has three axolotls. And now she and Cookie can also call themselves a reading dog team.
She loves writing short stories, poems and stories from her everyday life and enjoys reading a good Scandinavian crime novel.
In addition to Helene and all the animals, the family consists of Birger 55 years old, Thor 12 years old and Sigrid 10 years old.
Big Horse (Dog) Day
The phone is ringing.
This is Laila, Cookie's breeder and owner of Audi's father.
"What are you going to do on Sunday, September 7th? Do you want to go to Store Hestedag in Roskilde? My answer is a clear NO, as I have a lot to do that weekend."
On September 7th I get up early. Cookie and I are going to Store Hestedag, together with Laila and Rocky, Audi's father. Of course I let myself be persuaded. Lucas, our youth member of 14 years, has organized a Schipperke stand all weekend on Store Hestedag, of course we support it.
At 7:30 on Sunday morning we are sitting on the ferry from Aarhus towards Sjællands Odde. Cookie is happy to see Laila and Rocky. She has loved Rocky since she was a little puppy. When she was born, he was just a big puppy of 13 months. Despite that, he helped look after the puppies. The little ones had a fantastic uncle in him. Not least, Cookie is happy to come along on the trip.
We have been a little concerned that Laila and Rocky might not make it to Roskilde. In addition to Rocky, Laila also has Dolly, who is due on September 10. Fortunately, there is no sign yet that Dolly is going to give birth, so she is being looked after by a friend.
There are many families with children on board the ferry. During the first twenty minutes, three families have been with us with their small children under two years old. It is touching to see how gently our dogs welcome them. Rocky is a visiting dog during the elderly care. Cookie is a certified reading dog.
Cookie was born with a circus rocket in her backside, so she shows off all the tricks she can while we're sailing. Mom has cookies in her pocket. Eventually, though, she settles down in my hoodie.
Store Heste-(Dog)-dag is a lot bigger than I had imagined. There are people, horses, dogs and things everywhere, noise and unrest. I am glad that Cookie is as stable in her psyche as she is. Over the weekend, 32,000 people have visited Roskilde Dyrskueplads.
The square is designed so that all the dog breed stands are gathered right at the main entrance. Not far from there, there are dog dancing, hoopers and many other dog-related things going on.
While Laila takes Rocky to the race parade, I unpack our many things and build an enclosure for the dogs with Cookie. The weather in September can be difficult to predict, so I have brought no less than two of my DogCoach jackets. The hoodie and the shell jacket.
In total we are 7 schipperkes with people, as we are the most: Rocky, Larsen, Pippi, Cleo, Cookie, Wonder and the puppy Freddy. Pippi was born stump-tailed, so we have all FCI-approved variants represented.
During the day, a lot of people come by our stand, and we get to hear a lot about our lovely breed, both the positive and a few negative things. It's really nice.
Next to our stand, there are judging sessions for various dogs. It's a really fun exhibition that everyone can participate in.
The fact that our family was enriched with the DV mare Iblanco in the early summer means that I know it can be expensive to move into the market part of the square. Fortunately, I choose not to take Cookie there. It is hot, and there are really many people. She is having fun with Rocky and Laila in the meantime. I control myself and settle for buying a halter no. 9 for the horse, plus various small things.
During the afternoon, Laila gets a message from home. “Dolly is restless, not eating and choking. We’re going to pick up the food box now.”
It's hard to say who is more worried. Dolly who is in labor, or Laila who is far from home. This is Dolly's second litter, and she is in familiar hands, but it is still safest to be present when the dog goes into labor. Furthermore, it can take up to three days from the time the dog is in labor until she gives birth.
We have booked a place on the ferry in advance, so we quietly start packing up and saying goodbye to drive to the ferry. We have about an hour's drive to Zealand's tip. On the way, a message comes in. Dolly has gone into labor. Three puppies have arrived!
I can tell that Laila is stressed. She would SO much rather be at home with Dolly than in a car on Zealand with me. At Odden she can't control herself anymore and calls home to see if Dolly is okay. She is, says her friend - she has given birth to six puppies - one more than the scan showed the week before. Laila is in a mix of shock, pride, joy and fatigue, and it pours out of her eyes.
The dogs are also tired after the day's adventures, so they are allowed to stay in the car while Laila and I sit down in the ferry's restaurant. It is now 7:30 p.m. We will be sitting together, a family with a couple of children aged about 8 to 9.
Laila proudly tells one boy that her dog has just given birth to six puppies. The look on her face is priceless as the boy exclaims, “AD! I know where they came from.” Then we have a long talk about dogs.
At 9 pm, Cookie and I, very tired, land at home in Tvingstrup.
It has been a long but pleasant day.
In a few weeks we'd better take the trip over to Laila to see the little bandits and say hello to mom Dolly.
About this week's blogger:
Helene is an early retiree and spends a large part of her time with her animals. The animal team consists of 4 dogs, 1 cat, 15 free-range chickens, approx. 80 aviary birds and her daughter has three axolotls. And now she and Cookie can also call themselves a reading dog team.
She loves writing short stories, poems and stories from her everyday life and enjoys reading a good Scandinavian crime novel.
In addition to Helene and all the animals, the family consists of Birger 55 years old, Thor 12 years old and Sigrid 10 years old.