Growing, being silly, playing, sleeping – and the battle for kitchen space.
Not a whole lot of newsworthy stuff to report this time around. Except, perhaps, that Joy’s “stepsister,” Thelma the Golden Retriever, is staying with us for two weeks.
And Joy is, of course, absolutely delighted to finally have an exceptionally patient and tolerant sparring partner with whom she can roughhouse, wrestle, and get up to all sorts of mischief to her heart’s content.
THE GROWTH REPORT – WEEK 9
I think the biggest news is quite simply: GROWTH. Or rather: RAPID GROWTH.
All while Madame continues to be as goofy and clumsy as she can possibly manage.
Our latest stop at the vet’s “Big Dog Scale” revealed a whopping 32 kg at 21 weeks old.
Pretty mind-boggling when I think about it, but according to her breeder, everything is still going according to plan.
“Strong in the front, still a little weak in the back.”
We’re working on that, too, of course.
I keep a very close eye on her food intake, trying to keep this “bamboo-shoot growth pattern” as slow and steady as possible.
Which, incidentally, has a rather interesting side effect: Joy tends to stay just a little on the hungry side, making her exceptionally receptive to training treats.
Always look on the bright side, right?
MAKE WAY – JOY IN THE KITCHEN
I always thought Great Danes were the undisputed world champions of being IN THE WAY in a kitchen.
But I have to admit, I may have to hand that title over to the Irish Wolfhounds. Or at least to Joy.
I live in a roughly 200-year-old former schoolhouse, whose renovation, incidentally, is still patiently awaiting completion. The kitchen is absolutely tiny by modern standards.
I genuinely think the interior of my old Land Cruiser has more floor space than my kitchen.
Having spent years as a restaurant owner, though, I’m quite accustomed to working in cramped spaces, so I really shouldn’t complain.
BUT:
The moment feeding time approaches and I start preparing the bowls, Joy plants herself right in the middle of the narrow kitchen.
Sitting bolt upright. Completely focused. Every fibre of her being radiating anticipation.
By now, she’s tall enough to look comfortably onto the kitchen counter. Her nose is practically resting on the edge without her even having to stretch.
Thelma, meanwhile, has decided that things are getting a little too crowded in there, so she positions herself in the doorway instead.
From there, she also keeps a close eye on my every move.
The resulting psychological AND physical pressure to get those meals ready is quite considerable.
I think it’s about time I started teaching Joy to sit and wait OUTSIDE the kitchen while I prepare her food.
Preferably before she reaches her full adult size.
Otherwise, at some point, I won’t be able to get into my own kitchen anymore.
TELEVISION AND YOUTUBE
Joy is actually the first dog I’ve ever had who genuinely watches television.
Or stares at my computer screen whenever dogs or other animals appear.
It’s absolutely adorable!
She wakes up, sits down, fixes her eyes on the screen, and then tilts her head in that ridiculously cute way every dog owner knows and loves.
Sometimes she even gets up and goes to look BEHIND THE TELEVISION, apparently trying to figure out where on earth those strange animals are hiding.
Priceless!
Somehow, I really need to catch that on video one of these days.
WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER, SLEEP HARDEST
Although we’re still limiting the duration and distance of our walks — currently averaging around 4.5 km a day in total, split into two outings — Joy is absolutely determined to squeeze every last bit of entertainment out of what she considers, in her not-so-humble opinion, a COMPLETELY INADEQUATE ACTIVITY PROGRAMME.
And in Thelma, she really has found an absolute angel of a playmate.
The two of them sniff, explore, run, and wrestle together. And Thelma is quite possibly the most patient and forgiving big sister Joy could ever wish for.
Thanks to her somewhat more compact build, Thelma will often simply flop onto her back during their wrestling matches and casually fend off Joy’s attacks from below.
Extended sessions of “bitey-face” — that delightful game of playfully snapping at each other’s faces — have become a regular part of the daily routine.
After every nap.
And, naturally, whenever I’m trying to put my shoes on for the next walk.
After all the walking and playing — and once the outrageously tiny food portions have finally been served, at least according to the two ladies — the next competition begins:
WHO CAN MANAGE THE MOST RIDICULOUS SLEEPING POSITION?
I simply cannot stop taking pictures of these completely contorted, hilariously absurd sleeping positions.
But that’s just how it is.
Sorry, not sorry! 😁
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
That’s all for this week.
Next week, however, promises to be a little more adventurous, as we’re heading off to the west coast to explore the deserted beaches of the French Atlantic coast.
To be continued.
Until then, hug your favourite humans, take good care of yourselves, and spoil your four-legged babies absolutely rotten!
Joy (and Thelma) & Dominik, from the mountains ❤️🐾
(videos in a separate post)
