My Sleep Number

So we've only got about three weeks left of our three month adventure in Germany, and I've been thinking a lot about what I'll miss most when we're back home... 

I'll certainly miss not having to drive. We haven't been in a car since we left Minnesota and it is so nice to be able to get around without joining the masses on the road. We simply walk everywhere, or hop on the train. In four hours we can be in Paris. In three hours we can be in Brussels. In 6 hours we're in Berlin. It's great! 

And I've mentioned this before but the best part about this is that the dogs can hop on board too, as long as you pay the doggy fare. What a huge difference it would make in our lives if the buses and light rail in Minneapolis allowed Gus and Charly to ride. 

Todd Edelman at Green Idea Factory has been working on promoting "Dogs on Board" in the United States and Canada. Allowing dogs on buses and trains could reduce congestion on the road, save us money, and make riding public transportation a more convenient and viable option for those of us who own pets. There are plenty of ways to make sure buses and trains remain safe and comfortable means of transit. Surely if Europe can do it we can do it too...

I'll tell you what I won't miss though... my European bed. I just can't wait to get home and get into my Sleep Number Bed. Swear to god, it's the best bed I've ever slept on. Since we arrived here in Germany I've been having quite a bit of back pain, which I used to have but got rid of by buying a Sleep Number bed. And the money we spent on that bed was well worth it, because the acute pain I was having in my lower back immediately went away. Here we're sleeping on a regular old mattress, and the lower back pain has unfortunately returned. I can't wait to get home and get a good night's sleep again!

Speaking of Sleep Number, Select Comfort is coming out with a Sleep Number Pet Bed, so you and your buddy can both get your beauty sleep. The Sleep Number Pet Bed is adjustable for comfort and support, making it ideal for older dogs or dogs with arthritis or other health issues. It's also covered in a soft micro-suede waterproof outer layer which is super durable and easy to clean. Why not give your pet the same luxury and comfort you enjoy from your Sleep Number bed!

Oh Shoot!

Yesterday I spent an hour on Skype, talking to my mom, but mostly watching my dogs on the video camera. This was the first time since we left Minnesota that I've seen the dogs live, in action, in flesh and blood. 

It was pretty wonderful, watching them wrestle each other, bark out the window, and stare at the computer screen with bewilderment. I'm pretty sure Charly didn't understand a word I said, but Gus, he seemed to perk his ears and wonder for a brief minute where my voice was coming from. At least that's what I'd like to think. 

Talking with my mom I realized I have no idea where I left my keys for our Minneapolis home. I'm sure before leaving I put them somewhere and thought, there's no way I'll forget where these are. Has this happened to you? Now I have absolutely no clue where I left them. 

Doggie Key Chain from fitszu. I obviously need one of these. 

And Cut...

I was going to save this post for Christmas Day, when so many of us who don't get presents, or meet Santa, or gather around the tree end up going to the movies instead, after eating Chinese of course. 

But, I think a lot of people end up going to the movies on Thanksgiving too, at least on the Friday after the Turkey Day. It's either the movies, or face the masses at the mall, and who wants to do that. 

A friend of mine in Austria sent me this link. It's a movie theater in Vienna that has Doggy Movie Day once a month! You can meet other dog lovers and catch a movie with your pooch in the next seat. How awesome! They even provide popcorn for the dogs...

European dog culture, at least in Germany and Austria, is so different than at home. I've mentioned this before on this blog but dogs can basically go anywhere with their humans. You see them at restaurants, in the subway, on the trains, and I guess even at the movie sometimes. 

I love it! Wish I could take my dog to see the new highly acclaimed Disney move Bolt! It's gotten rave reviews and I'm sure we'd all have a blast together. I don't think any movie theater at home would allow Gus and Charly to make it through their doors though. I'll have to wait some months and rent it instead. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of your furry friends! 

Get Me Some Uggs!

So winter here in Europe has been pretty mild, to say the least, up until well, now. We're currently in Bratislava, Slovakia where the temperature is something like 28 degrees Farenheit, and it's snowing! Apparently it snowed for the first time this winter in Bonn yesterday too. This region of Europe is well known for being mildly cold and very very rainy compared to say, Minnesota, where it's bitter cold and always snowing, but sunny. 

Honestly, I don't miss the snow one bit. Not a bit. I know I may be alone on this one among my friends in Minnesota, but I would take rain and mild temperatures over sun and freezing cold and snow any day. I would. 

So today in the Star Tribune there's a great article about how to "winterize" your pups. And from first hand experience, winterizing is definitely a must, although some dogs, like Gus for example, may refuse to wear their booties.  Here are some tips from the article about how to prepare your dog for a winter in Minnesota:

• Focus on warmth and waterproofing, but don't be afraid to add some style. 
  
• Antifreeze tastes like candy to dogs. Keep it away from them.
  
• Wash your dog's paws when he comes in from outside. Ice, sludge, and salt can get lodged in the paws and if you don't wash  it off for him, he'll lick the stuff off  himself, and can get very sick. 
• Trim excess hair from footpads and toes of longhaired dogs. This makes it easier to remove ice and snow. 
  
• When it's really cold, especially in January and early February, your dog should spend no more than 20 minutes outside at a time.  
• Always be sure your dog has adequate shelter where it will be warm and dry. Be sure that he isn’t lying in a drafty area. Place his bed, blanket or pillow on tile and wood floors to give him a warm place to sleep.
• If you own a working dog, or if your canine companion spends hours outdoors, feed it extra calories. In winter, dogs need extra energy to regulate body temperature. Extra food provides necessary nutrients to see your dog through the most frigid days.
  
•  If your dog gets wet when out in cold weather, towel or blow-dry his coat. Be sure to dry his paws well to prevent footpads from cracking. If your pup's footpads become dry, moisten it with petroleum jelly.
  
• Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle. If the engine is off, he can die from hypothermia. If the engine is left running, he can be overcome with carbon monoxide fumes.
  

And by the way, I tried to find Ugg booties for dogs, but had no luck. Wish Ugg did make them though. I have a pair, and they are the absolute best and warmest shoes for winter ever. I don't care whether they're in or out, they're toasty toasty! 

So here's a pair of higher style booties for your dog from The Sassy Pup. I think they're cute, they look functional, and they're not terribly expensive. 

My Boys

I miss my dogs. What else can I say. I'm needing some puppy love right now. A wet sloppy kiss from Charly, and a big hug from Gussie Goo. 

Yes We Can!

"Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House."

 -- President-elect Barack Obama, November 4, 2008.

Aw yeah! Obama's in the White House and he's keeping his promise to his girls: they're getting that new puppy!

I can't tell you how excited I was this morning when at 6 a.m. (Germany time) I heard Barack's acceptance speech on CNN. And loud and clear, in front of the entire country and world, the first thing he said to his daughters was that they'd earned their new puppy. I imagine millions of dog lovers all over the United States feeling the same way. Ecstatic because the time for change is now, a black man has been elected president of our country, AND a real shelter mutt is going to be the next First Hound. 

Check out Obama Dogs Unite for this awesome Bark For Barack image you can download straight from the site. 

Deutsches Hunde

I know I haven't posted in a while on H&H. I've been in the dog house lately trying to learn German while we're living in Deutschland, and it's been taking up a ridiculous amount of time. What a difficult language! 

Don't believe me? Check out this video... doggie products are in style here like everywhere else. Unfortunately despite the hours and hours of hard work, I still couldn't understand much of what they were saying in the clip... I did catch that Chihuahua Leopold likes his collars mean and cheap!