kaupunkigreyn elämää

Physical therapy for skinny hounds

2011-11-23T07:23:00.001+02:00

I visited my vet a few months back. Every now and then I experience sudden sharp neck pain and also hold up my front paw, and the humans decided my neck needs to be re-examined. (It's been x-rayed before, and we know I've got a few hypermobile neck discs, but that was years ago.) Well, the vet couldn't examine me properly because I was so tense with fear, and when she touched my hind legs I screamed and tried to bite her through the muzzle I was wearing. She told the humans that overall I seem to be fine but a bit of physical therapy would probably do good for my neck.

One morning both of the humans had a day off and we spent a family day together. They allowed me to drag them to the metro (I love all kinds of public transport systems) and I got to travel from Kaisaniemi to Siilitie.

We walked through Viikki nature reserve (located in the geographical centre of City of Helsinki) and finally arrived to the Small Animal Hospital / Veterinary Teaching Hospital. I was excited, but when we walked in I suddenly realized I'd been cheated. I could smell a vet (or actually, plenty of vets). And to make matters worse, soon after we arrived a huge young Irish Wolfhound boy with absolutely no manners whatsoever tried to sniff my bum. Or at least he was looking at me (and my bum). Anyways, I felt threatened and tried to escape through the sliding doors. Unfortunately, I was still wearing my harness and a leash and had to stay in the castle of torturers and huge stalker hounds. And soon my humans greeted a suspiciously vet-looking person and dragged me through a corridor with plenty of vet-offices, vet-smells, and vet-looking humans. I Did Not Appreciate Their Efforts.

But to my surprise, the vet-person turned out to be a greyhound-massage person. She was very, very calm and kind. She called me a Good Girl, had snacks in her office, and allowed me to sniff every nook and corner. There was no steel table but a nice soft floor, and when she touched me she did not try to see under my tail or inside my ears. She lifted my paws, and petted me, and slid her hands slowly to examine my muscles. Finally, I relaxed enough to lie down, and my female human sat next to me and put a towel under my head. I felt really quite comfortable and didn't mind the greyhound-massage person examining my neck and legs. I only tried to bite her when she was examining my toes, and it turned out that an old puncture wound I have between my toes was still sore to touch. She didn't mind me acting out since the humans had warned her. And when she left the room and came back, I went to greet her with my tail wagging.

Her diagnosis was a stiff neck due to the hypermobility. She actually told us that the stiff neck protects me from pain by supporting the discs. The neck problem combined with the old toe injury is probably why I'm holding up my paw. She gave us exercise and massage instructions, and also advice on diet. (I don't mind eating more fish, especially salmon.) And finally she told my humans that I have no arthritis, joint problems or other lady-age ailments, and again petted me and called me a Good Girl.

We left the hospital and walked slowly back to Siilitie metro station. Viikki Research Farm has cows, and I spent quite a while just staring at them. Big milk-producing friends, they are. And the cows had hundreds of geese walking among them - the autumn migration had started. The birds were loud, as you can tell by my ears.

We also visited a dog park in Herttoniemi, and I got to sniff and run and wag my tail. I had a Shetland Sheepdog as a companion, and together we walked in the bushes and emptied my water bowl. It was good to stretch my massaged muscles a bit. I felt like a two-year old, especially because the humans seemed relaxed and happy and I could tell they were proud of me. After all, I didn't maim anyone in the hospital, and they thought it was money very wisely spent. I can recommend physical therapy for all the lady-aged greyhounds - it's like visiting a day spa!

Forgotten winter images

2011-09-09T09:08:00.000+03:00

Winter 2010-11 was lovely. First snow fell early and we got to enjoy snow all through the winter. The snow depth measured in Kaisaniemi, Helsinki on 20 December was 67 cm, or very close to the all-time record snow depth for December, 70 cm (measured in 1915).

Both Eläintarhanlahti (Eläintarha Bay) and Töölönlahti (Töölö Bay) froze. There's nothing better than walking on ice on a sunny day!

Tara and her male human walking under Pitkäsilta (one of the

bridges connecting southern Helsinki with the rest of the city).

Pretty old lady posing (there was a very,

very cute dachshund boy in the distance...!)

Tara didn't need a coat, even though it was probably -12C when the photos were taken. There was no wind and we were walking briskly, except when she forced us to stop to read love letters handsome boys had written for her:

The art of postcards

2011-09-03T17:08:00.005+03:00

"When hiring servants - having satisfied yourself on the points of character and suitability for the service you would have them perform - the most important matter is the quality of their penmanship and correct choice of stationery." (Ms Grey's Etiquette for Young Ladies)

My maid (ie female human) passed the test by sending me this lovely postcard with a picture of a lunch having lunch on it.

Beauty salon

2011-08-26T13:00:00.004+03:00

When I'm shedding, Tervasaari dog park doubles as a beauty salon. A free hair styling with a massage!

Very special guest stars

2011-08-21T14:36:00.004+03:00

A while ago, my female human ran away to meet her primary school friends. They spent two days talking, eating, and laughing (like girls do when they have escaped all the responsibilities). Fortunately, I didn't have to worry about her getting into trouble, since there were guards on premises:

Salli (Fireheart Limited Edition) is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and Manta a Finnish Hound / Finnish Spitz mix. They'll notice any aggressive rabbits, gamefowl, squirrels, and other dangerous beasts way before the humans will.

Together the girls took very good care of my human. Manta slept next to her, and Salli made a bed out of a bed cover and some clothes my human had left lying around. They also ensured that her outfit was perfect, ie full of dog hair.

Both dogs are very kind and like cuddles (here's Salli with her owner Katri). The female human said that there was no shortage of begging looks when she was eating, requests for play, and demands for petting. And she also told me that it was easier to sleep when someone was hoarding the bed (as usual). Sounds like a perfect holiday to me!

Human on holiday

2011-08-13T16:31:00.004+03:00

My female human is a librarian by profession. She has gathered a huge pile of books to read on her holiday (a professional illness*), and now has about four weeks to complete the task.

I wonder why she's not making much progress?

*Most of the librarians do this. You spend 11 months selecting new items to acquire, preparing new items for public use after they've arrived, choosing books for book talks, suggesting reading, arranging book displays, retrieving information from various databases, ordering interlibrary loans, answering "Ask a Librarian" questions, shelving books, talking about books, and constantly bumping into books (I've got the bruises to prove it). Eight hours a day, five days a week, plus the reading time it takes to prepare for book talks. It's impossible to avoid finding hidden treasures. "Oooooh! A young adult novel about suffragettes and slavery! And a history of Finnish youth voluntary work during WW2... a book of apron patterns... new Ella book by Timo Parvela... Buddhist psychology... British gang culture..."

Our holidays are way too short. A lifetime is too short to read them all.

A lady in distress

2011-07-30T19:36:00.010+03:00

Last April, we visited Tampere. Humans attended a wedding party, I enjoyed being pampered by auntie R. As you can see, auntie R. knows exactly how to treat her guests:

Yes, that's a dried pig's ear! My favourite treat!

We had a lovely evening (treats! walkies! excellent company!) and by the time the humans returned, I had fallen asleep on the couch. They wanted to drive back home in the middle of the night. I must have fallen asleep again as I didn't hear the rationale behind this decision, but trusted on them knowing better. We left auntie R.'s home around 1am. By 2:30am, we were approaching Riihimäki (109 kilometers from Tampere, 69 kilometers from Helsinki and home). It was dark, windy, and cold outside. Suddenly, we lost all the electricity and the engine died.

Humans called ATCF Road Service for help. We had to wait for towing for about 45 minutes. I was tucked under an extra blanket for warmth. I wanted the humans to explain me the rationale behind leaving Tampere, but they ignored my questions. It was unfair: the back seat wasn't nearly as comfortable as auntie R.'s couch, and we had no food with us.

When help arrived, we had to leave the car. I only had my thin coat and it was b***dy cold. I peed on the motorway. I had to be lifted to the cab of the towing truck (I'm no ladder-climbing creature). The cab was designed for three humans, not for three humans and a freaked out lady greyhound. We had a very, very uncomfortable 20 km ride to Hyvinkää, where the nearest garage our insurance company accepted was located. Half of the time I was standing my bum against the windscreen, the other half I was trying to walk around and made everyone (the driver excluded) freak out. Again, I asked the humans to explain me why this is more fun than staying with auntie R., but they were busy watching the scenery.

By the time we got to Hyvinkää it was 3:45am. Truck driver kindly gave us a lift to the train station before disappearing with our car. Local trains to Helsinki were still running, but the station building was closed. To avoid freezing to death, we had to wait for the next train in an underpass, for about 40 minutes. There was no shortage of drunk company as the local nightclubs had just closed. Fortunately, the female human had grabbed my blanket before we left our car. She made an emergency shelter for me:

A T-train arrived at 4:23am and took us home. It was warm. I tried to get some sleep. I tried one more time asking kindly exactly why a local train full of sleeping drunks is better than dreaming of rabbits and eating breakfast with auntie R., but the humans were discussing the benefits of cycling and public transport.

Humans forced me to walk home from the Helsinki railway station. It was 6am and we were all starving. They served me my morning meal. I wolfed it down too quickly and spent the following two hours gagging and throwing up. The humans had to follow me around because I wanted to throw up on pillows, carpets, blankets and clothes. They tried to lure me to bed, but I resisted the temptation till 8am.

I blame my sudden illness on the humans, who were busy locating car dismantlers and only served me kibble. I bet auntie R. would have served me an omelet, with two sausages and a bowl of strawberries and cream.

Learning psychokinesis

2011-07-25T21:42:00.006+03:00

Hard-working auntie Grey

2011-07-02T17:50:00.006+03:00

A few weeks back, I was on a baby-sitting duty. I was visited by brothers Paavo and Väinö, and their cousin Sisu.

Väinö is a human puppy, only two months and a bit! I sniffed his head carefully and then gave him a small lick-kiss. He smells lovely. It was my duty as an auntie to guard him.
When I was trying to rest after Väinö left, Sisu decided it's playtime. He's always had a fancy for my tail.
The best thing about babysitting is an endless supply of snacks and treats. I have to stay alert just in case something falls. The adult humans have to keep an eye on me.
An innocent child having a snack of watermelon and apple juice.
A greyhound acting silly. Behind the smile is a predator ready to strike and polish off any misplaced fruit.

Fast moving subjects

2011-05-14T09:39:00.004+03:00

My nephew Sisu turned two a few weeks ago. We're good friends!

He pokes my nose...

...and I try to kiss him (notice how he's learned to cover his face).

They're never, ever left unattended though: Sisu is too young to understand that he needs to be careful with the dog. After taking these photos Sisu almost sat on Tara's tummy and she barked at him. He got a fright and said "dog is upset with me", and it took a lot of tears and explaining to do before he understood that the dog is not angry but just startled by the sudden situation :-)

A greyhound puppet :)

2011-05-08T16:17:00.005+03:00

It's sunny and warm today, so we decided to visit Recycling Factory (http://www.kierratystehdas.fi/front-page/). There was a free puppet workshop, and plenty of woolen socks & other recycled material to use.

First I thought I'll make a rabbit, but then I saw a grey brindle sock:

Ihmiset, nuo hitaat kaksijalkaiset

2011-02-08T17:26:00.005+02:00

Miten neljällä aikuisella orjalla voi kestää yli puoli tuntia tajuta, etten voi maata kivikossa? (Niisku-labradorin välly on laiha lohtu seisoskelusta. Vaadin oikeutta ja kunnon korvauksia!)
It took adult slaves half an hour to realise that I can't sleep on a rocky
ground. Poor me, I demand justice! And proper compensation!

Kurvin kautta susimetsälle

2011-02-08T17:05:00.003+02:00

Nti Nokkakala veti emännän Kaisaniemen metrotasolla väkisin hissiin.

Suunta on selvä: itään.

Kurvissa jäädään pois, sillä Helsinginkadun varrelta löytyvät parhaat eväät.

Kotiin palataan Tokoinrannan kautta (jos kaupungin suurpetojen hyökkäykseltä selvitään).

Sometimes, it's hard to be a greyhound...

2010-12-07T18:04:00.000+02:00

Plastic bunnies

2010-10-16T18:24:00.007+03:00

The first time Tara saw these she had a startle - for a split second she must have thought these were the shadows of giant rabbits. We spent ages staring at the plastic bunnies.
Wild rabbits are plenty in Helsinki, they're descendants of escaped or abandoned pet rabbits, and have no natural enemies except for the odd fox or Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo Bubo). Someone told me there were actually plans to use sighthounds to hunt rabbits in the University of Helsinki Botanical Garden. For Tara's great disappointment out hunting laws forbid the use of sighthounds in hunting. (We had already made plans to retire and live off her salary. Bugger.)

Swimming in central Helsinki

2010-10-03T14:46:00.004+03:00

Tara kept an eye on her male human, hoping that he'll return to land soon (August 2010).

(In the background, eastern orthodox Uspenski Cathedral and Katajanokka / Kruununhaka waterfronts. It takes us about ten minutes to walk here to enjoy the roses, water, and dog park.)

Paavo

2010-08-14T19:42:00.003+03:00

We visited family and met my human cousin Paavo.
At first he was a bit wary of me, but we made friends quickly.

We went out for a walk together, and we remained friends even
though I accidentally stole some food from him...

Tervasaari dog park

2010-08-14T19:13:00.005+03:00

Tara usually finds dog parks boring (unless if there are cute miniature breed boys around). But sometimes she enjoys digging a hole. Tervasaari is perfect for digging, and big enough for a digging-triggered mad run.
And since we've had a record-hot summer, she's really enjoyed the dog beach!
No Canada geese were hurt when taking this photo - Tara finds them boring. She's only interested in common pheasants. And of course seagulls and hooded crows, since they're always eating something from the ground and she wants her share. She knows how to survive in a city.

Leader of the human pack

2010-04-25T13:14:00.006+03:00

Hello, beautiful! I'm the leader of this human pack. Your female is my aunt. Adults are my slaves, I've got them wrapped around my finger.

I hope you don't mind if I grab your long nose, it looks interesting.

Adults always try to educate me, this time on how dogs should be treated...

...but I know what's important: a good hold of anything that wags!

I think I want a dog of my own.

(Sisu will have his first birthday party next week. I think we'll settle for a stuffed dog for now...)

Sunshine in my eyes

2010-04-09T08:59:00.000+03:00

One snowy day

2010-04-02T19:24:00.007+03:00

This has been the snowiest winter in Helsinki since the early 1980's. It was also cold and Eläintarhanlahti (Eläintarha bay) froze over. Since it's only a 10 minutes walk from us, and since it's not illegal to allow Tara to run on ice, she got plenty of exercise. Shame the weather wasn't always postcard-like...

After a good run she made it very, very clear she wants to go home. Right. Now.

Here's the reason why: a 100% wool blanket and a warm radiator.

A real princess

2010-01-16T08:20:00.002+02:00

She ate the tree peas under her bed-clothes, and complained
about the lack of mattressess and feather beds:

"I have scarcely closed my eyes the whole night through.

I do not know what was in my bed,
but I had something hard under me,
and am all over black and blue."

None but a real Princess could have
had such a delicate sense of feeling.

"What I did last summer"

2009-11-23T16:47:00.008+02:00

I met Emmi and got lots of cuddles... ...slept whilst the male slave was washing our rugs...
...and went blueberry picking on a very hot day.

Palmero

2009-08-18T13:22:00.004+03:00

Palmero was adopted from Spain and now lives in his forever home here in Helsinki. We spent ages on the Tervasaari dog beach wading and chasing each other. Of course, it was impossible to get photos of us running (we're way too fast for that), but the humans got some of Palmero enjoying the sand (and tempting me to run).

Miniature breeds eat better

2009-08-17T19:39:00.006+03:00

Way back I found out that miniature breeds don't eat kibble. They eat Cesar. I bet they all eat meat & liver flavor Cesar three times a day, every day. Six times a day if they're getting old and grumpy.

Cesar looks and smells lovely, like something wet and livery.

I always eat quickly in case the slaves get jealous.It would take 18 packets of Cesar to fulfill my daily calorie need. I only get one pack of Cesar once a year, when it's my birthday. I love Cesar enough to "sit", "lie down" and steal (that comes naturally). I don't mind the suggestive package - that white fluffy animal is not a greyhound but probably a weird kind of rabbit, so I don't have to worry about the origin of the ingredients. Female slave says it gives her the creeps. She says he dislikes the smell of Cesar she has to tolerate when she's picking up after me. I LOVE IT!

Birthday girl

2009-06-12T06:39:00.002+03:00

Her royal highness turns six today!

Summertime, and the living is easy...

2009-06-01T14:38:00.008+03:00

My first picnic this summer (Tervasaari park).

Female human took me swimming to the dog beach.
It took me a while to appreciate the gesture.
(A real lady never rushes to water.)

We met two of my friends, spanish greyhounds Chai
(posing next to my trendy bald thighs)...

...and Chanel, who really enjoys the weather now.
(She has quite recently moved to Finland.)

It's hard work to mingle with other skinny hounds.
Thankfully the male human remembered my blanket.

Fortunately, I didn't have to walk home.
Greymobile is all set up for the summer!

Pretty in Mink

2009-05-21T06:45:00.003+03:00

Mr. Mink is staring at me.

A girl needs her mink, but I prefer mine running.

Hemmoteltu pääsiäiskuikelo

2009-05-13T15:19:00.004+03:00

Vieraiden on kohteliasta tarjoutua avuksi keittiöpuuhiin.

Keittiötarkastaja seuraa huolella valmisteluja: tiputa jotain!Velipoika vei Taran sydämen syöttämällä tytölle lammasta.

Jälkiruoaksi nuoltiin lautaset ja täytettiin tiskikone.

Lopulta torkuttiin (koiranunta tietenkin) masu täynnä.
Vahtikoira herää heti, kun joku rapistelee paistin lähellä.

More family!

2009-04-18T08:52:00.002+03:00

This is my sister, Tikru (Annie Oakley), with Emma
(the female slave's goddaughter). Tikru has bald
thighs just like mine, and we're both going grey.

Tikru has a beautiful young companion Seppo (Vanilla
Fudge) - he's 14 months old and such a handsome boy! I like
his ears, I bet he can not only see but also hear rabbits!

As you can see we all love our treats. No fighting
but just pleading looks. I wish they adopted me :-)

Happy easter from a mighty hunter

2009-04-12T06:20:00.002+03:00

If I had the energy to get up, I'd catch an easter bunny for dinner.

Miss Cuddle 2009

2009-03-13T06:49:00.002+02:00

Watch out, miniature breeds - I'm too cute to to resist!

Tampere, valloittava Tampere!

2009-02-26T10:53:00.003+02:00

Eli miten greyhound matkusti Tampereelle ja takaisin.

Ei ole mukavaa, ei-ei-ei. Tuo kyylä tuijottaa!

...tee tilaa, punkero-orja!

Onneksi greykaasulla saa nopeasti tilaa vaunuun.

Tampereella saa rikkoa kaikkia sääntöjä. Saa vikitellä kääpiörotuja...

...kerjätä huomaamattomasti...

...nattia oikeaa shampanjaa (orjat saivat nuuhkaista kuplia)...

...ja määrätä, mitä ja koska syödään. Vauhtia!

Raskain sydäminen (ja uupunein mielin) matkustin takaisin kotiin Helsinkiin. Arki alkoi jo junassa: pikkukoirat kävelivät ylitseni. Miksei aina voida olla Tampereella??

RoRo, LoLo, harbour BlahBlah

2009-01-12T11:08:00.003+02:00

There's a new harbour in Vuosaari, and the slaves wanted to see it. If you look carefully you can see the harbour cranes in the background.
I only wanted to see the dog park. Catch me if you can!

Vain hullut kuntoilevat talvisin

2008-12-19T15:24:00.002+02:00

Orjat saavat huhtoa pakkasessa ja rännässä miten
paljon haluavat. Me fiksut pysymme vällyissä.

First snow

2008-12-07T21:27:00.002+02:00

We got plenty of snow about two weeks ago (23.11.). When it started to snow, we went
to Uutela to a dog park and Tara spent some quality time running. As usual, we got no
photos of her running but just photos of sniffing and being teased by the male human.

Our backyard the following morning. This was the worst snowstorm since 1961, a total
of 30 cms of snow in a day. (Notice our greymobile on the left, all covered by snow.)

A human puppy!

2008-12-07T21:13:00.003+02:00

This is Paavo. He's three months and a bit, and has lovely small fingers and toes. And plenty of stuffies! The female human told me he's my cousin, so obviously I was very keen on learning to know him. I sniffed him carefully and he smells lovely (milk & baby poo). I tried to kiss him but the adult humans told me I'm not allowed to. Stupid adults. When they were having a coffee I sneaked to the bedroom and pushed my nose through the crib slats, wagging my tail wildly. Paavo didn't want to play as he was fast asleep, so I curled to the sofa close to him to keep an eye on him in case any whippets try to steal him away.

How to survive in a forest

2008-10-31T11:53:00.004+02:00

Humans, they always get things wrong. Does this look like a meal
fit for a greyhound?!? Chanterelles, penny buns, heather?

My forest survival guide consists of two equally important rules.

First, steal cookies...

...second, steal milk.

Don't chase the paperboy, chase the paper!

2008-09-23T11:30:00.006+03:00

Male human wanted to read the Sunday paper. I saw it first.I got A-section with editorials, domestic and city news.

A real lady never gets dirty (except for a bit of printing ink).

Pupuce antoi meille tunnustusta! Kiitos, olemme otettuja!

We'd like to nominate Brooke, Katy, and Terri. Tara made the selection based on the hound-cuddle ratio and the amount of photos of hounds wearing silly outfits. And tutus.

Herkkusuu

2008-08-29T12:26:00.002+03:00

Kaisaniemessä, piiiiiitkän lenkin jälkeen! Emäntä otti lippakioskista kahvin, minä sain jäätelön vohvelin.

Neiti Kesäheinä

2008-08-29T12:23:00.002+03:00

Kuumana päivänä Merihaan nurtsilla: emäntä teki minulle seppeleen.

Greymobile

2008-08-01T10:57:00.006+03:00

Male human has an SUV, a Bakfiets cargo bike. It doubles as a Greymobile. At first, I was a bit wary, but when humans added a soft blanket and gave me a few treats I happily jumped in. Here the female human is attaching my harness to the bike.

We started off slowly and I got loads of praise and treats for good behaviour. (Food! For nothing! All I had to do was to rest my legs and eat!)

I told female human to hand me some more treats. Greymobile has a well-trained cabin crew.

In a few minutes I was all set for real action!

This is fun! I can enjoy the view and watch people, and male human is doing all the hard work!

"Get off?? Why??!? I'll never walk again!"

For those concerned about safety: when we first tried this last autumn, we didn't have a blanket. Tara was scared of jumping to the box and obviously refused to lie down. With the blanket she gets comfortable and we are able to attach her harness to the bike. We still need to experiment with the length of the leash: too long and she's able to jump off the bike and most likely injure both herself and her human. Of course, we'll drive slowly and carefully and never forget the fact that she is a sighthound with a keen interest in small furry creatures...

Edit: check out this adorable tiny greyhound!

Kesälomalla mummolassa

2008-07-11T23:25:00.002+03:00

Kerään voimia.

Snägärillä

2008-07-11T23:21:00.001+03:00

Helikopteri tulee.... kerran vuodessa :)

Baywatch

2008-07-11T23:06:00.008+03:00

Meillä vappua juhlitaan vasta kesäkuussa

2008-06-18T17:13:00.003+03:00

(Toim. huom: latoja on hieman jälkijunassa.) Perheen vapputraditiot:
minulle makkara Helsingin työttömät ry:n kojusta. Nam-nam!

Emäntä leikkii taas sisävesilautturia. Huomatkaa nolostunut ilmeeni.

Makkara masussa on helppo nukahtaa Tokoinrannan hulinaan ja vilskeeseen.

Viisi vuotta!

2008-06-12T12:27:00.003+03:00

Synttärisankari hulluttelee isännän kainalossa.

Two brothers!

2008-06-03T12:38:00.003+03:00

Here we are, looking all pretty! From left: Eddie (Ben Hur),
Indy (Indiana Jones) and myself, Tara (Scarlett O'Hara).

Here's Indy trying to kiss me _again_!!! And I think Eddie is laughing...

You can tell we're related: we've got class.

Being a spoiled princess, I'm happy to have brothers this handsome :)

Laiheliinit kevätmetsässä

2008-05-20T12:06:00.003+03:00

Koirametsässä oli vilinää: kokonainen lauma kuikeloita törmäsi sattumalta pellolla.

Luca viihdytti meitä kieriskelemällä, herrasmiehen elkein tietenkin.

Maasto maistui herkulliselle *kaikkien* mielestä. Nam-nam.

Tuttujen lisäksi joukossa oli myös mm. hurmaava pikku sloughi!

Me and my brother

2008-05-06T13:05:00.007+03:00

Yesterday, I me met my brother Indy (last time we met was when we were puppies).

"Kiss, kiss!" (I didn't tell him off, he's my brother after all.)Indy really dislikes posing for photos!

He has a pet bird - I thought it was fascinating!Indy is way bigger than I am, and has a slimmer build... ...when he lies down, he is one long stripy hound!

We both love sleeping (and look very much alike when asleep)...

...and we love food. "Can I have some cookies please?"...

We're acting nice in order to get a treat - he has pointy ears and mine are all floppy!

Yökylässä

2008-05-06T09:03:00.005+03:00

Lähdimme katsastamaan, josko vuoden 1918 rauha on pitänyt Tampereella. Ainakin junamatka sujui ihan mukavasti. Ei kärrytarjoilua, hmh.

Palvelun puute onneksi korjattiin perillä!

Täti järjesti meille työnäytteen, ja opimme kokkaamaa tofua.

"Saahan maistaa vähän, ihana ihminen? Saahan?" (Huomaa häntä!)

Kävelyn ohessa viihdytin itseäni munakennoaarteella...

...eikä keittiötarkastaja voi levätä vierailuillakaan.

Lopulta uuvuin kuva-arvoitukseksi: mikä tämä on?

No tietenkin aina yhtä fiksun, filmaattisen ja edustavan näköinen greyhound!

Sotaharjoitus 2008

2008-05-02T07:58:00.005+03:00

Suomalainen sotilas ei pelkää mitään niin kuin vaarallista, taistelukaasuja syöksevää greysinkoa. Isäntä testaa asetta Haagin konvention (1899) rajoituksista välittämättä.

Please love me

2008-04-28T12:01:00.003+03:00

Kevät!

2008-04-28T11:59:00.001+03:00

Mikä rapisee??

2008-03-30T21:03:00.001+03:00

Kaverikuvia - minä ja emäntä

2008-03-30T20:55:00.005+03:00

Kaksi nukkuvaa neitoa....

...vai kaksi unista kengurua?

Emäntä luki kirjaa, minä ängin kainaloon hakemaan hellyyttä.

Prinsessa nukkuu

2008-03-30T20:48:00.002+03:00

Jos suu on raollaan, nukun oikeasti.

Toisinaan olen harvinainen greyosteri.

Joskus kuonopää on peiton alla ja kankkupää vilvoittelee.

Mummolassa

2008-03-15T18:46:00.004+02:00

Kuvassa olen päiväunilla ystäväni herra Lohikäärmeen kanssa.

Two years and a bit*

2008-02-23T03:32:00.006+02:00

Muutin kaupunkiin noin 2,5-vuotiaana, lokakuussa 2005. Tässä olen juuri hypännyt autosta ja nuuhkin rantaa ensimmäistä kertaa.Kun pääsin sisään, tein ensin kaikki asiat matolle ja sitten vetäydyin oudon mutta mielenkiintoisen miehen viereen vuoteeseen. Rapsutukset kelpaavat aina.

*We got Tara when she was about 2,5 yrs old. These are the very first photos taken when she moved to Helsinki - she's a bit wary, but loves a good scratch :-) Notice the collar, nowadays we use a harness (a shame really, as harnesses are plain and simple and hardly ever decorated).

Koirapuistokesä

2008-02-23T03:20:00.003+02:00

Hellepäivä. Viljami tarkastaa, olenko kuollut.Ehei, kunhan nautiskelen.

Neiti pystykorva

2008-02-23T03:12:00.001+02:00

Voi kyllä, minua kohdellaan huonosti ja asun surkeissa oloissa!

Maailman Paras Ihminen

2008-01-08T13:37:00.001+02:00

* Isäntä on ihana, emännän tehtävä on kantaa vesipulloa ja kameraa ;)

Pojat, pojat, pojat!

2008-01-08T13:22:00.001+02:00

Harvassa ovat koirat, joita arastelen koon vuoksi, mutta Otto ja Luca
herättävät kunnioitusta (etenkin kun orjat ihailevat poikia niin kovasti).

Varovasti saa nuuhkia, kunhan antaa tytön sitten livahtaa karkuun!

Minäminäminä!

2008-01-02T10:39:00.000+02:00

HUOMAA MINUT!

Pelottaa.

2007-12-31T22:45:00.000+02:00

Inhoan ilotulitteita. Kävimme pikaisella lenkillä ennen iltaviittä. Iltapissalle uskaltaudun (ehkä!) kahden jälkeen. Siihen asti pysyn tiukalla kerällä, harmaa pupu kainalossa. Hyvää uutta vuotta! :)

I dislike fireworks, so we had a brief afternoon walk before 5pm. Maybe I'll have the courage to go out for a pee walk around 2am. Until then, I'll stay curled in bed with the grey bunny softie. Happy new year! :)

Hauskaa joulua!

2007-12-22T08:56:00.001+02:00

Meillä ei tänä vuonna ole lähetetty joulutervehdyksiä tai muutoinkaan ehditty valmistella joulua muutoin kuin imuroimalla irtoturkki pois sängyn alta. Sen sijaan meillä on kyllä opiskeltu huolella.

Tässä autan emäntää lukemaan, todennäköisesti työn alla on Pertti Haapalan "Tehtaan valossa: teollistuminen ja työväestön muodostuminen Tampereella 1820-1920".

Tässä selitän isännälle matemaattista analyysia. Silmät kiinni kuulee paremmin.

Hauskaa joulua kaikille, nyt meillä vetäydytään ansaitulle lomalle!

Merry Christmas, we're off to holiday after all the long hours spent studying!

Mietteliäs greyhound

2007-12-21T14:23:00.001+02:00

Kun ei millään jaksaisi vielä herätä.

Keittiötarkastaja

2007-12-21T14:19:00.000+02:00

Näin meillä kokataan: emäntä nojaa tiskipöytään purjoa pestessään.
Keittiötarkastaja työntää kuononsa mahdollisimman lähelle.

Neiti pelokas eläinlääkärissä

2007-12-13T09:36:00.000+02:00

Emäntä vei minut eläinlääkäriin. Laitoin korvat luimuun jo ovella, vinguin pelokkaasti heti kun eläinlääkäri kosketti, enkä todellakaan antanut katsoa kurkkuun. Lopulta minulle annettiin vähän rohkaisua, että syy jo tovin jatkuneeseen hurjan säntäilyn jälkeiseen hengenahdistukseen selviäisi. Ja selvisihän se: ärhäkäksi tulehtuneet nielurisat.

Kun tokenin hieman, seikkailimme ensin kulman taakse Radio Helsinkiin, jossa emännän veli rapsutteli minua ja kehui apeaa muotoani. Sitten painelin ruokakupin kautta petiin. En enää ikinä mene emännän kanssa "jännille" "aamuretkille". (Jos jotain hyvää pitää etsimällä etsiä, niin saan lääkkeeni ennen ateriaa juustonpalassa, ja emäntä vietti päivän kotona niskaani rapsutellen. Aika laiha lohtu tokkurasta.)

Voi ei voi ei voi eiiiiiiii

2007-12-08T07:44:00.001+02:00

Olen haavoittunut! Rampa! Kantakaa minua! Antakaa voisilmäpulla!
* Aamulenkiltä palatessa kintusta tuli verta: pikkuruinen pintanaarmu. Mysteeriksi jää se, mihin Kruununhaan jalkakäytävillä voi teloa kinttunsa. Ehkä Valtiotieteellisen tiedekunnan kirjastosta valuu terävää yhteiskunnallista analyysia kaduille.

Pupu!

2007-12-05T14:58:00.001+02:00

Taintunut pupu, sen onnellinen omistaja ja huvittunut isäntä.

Hiljainen ilta Kruununhaassa

2007-11-30T09:39:00.000+02:00

Isäntä säätää, minä laadunvarmistan.

Mitä, joko taas on talvi?

2007-11-28T10:42:00.001+02:00

Pysytäänpä liikkeessä, niin ei kankku palellu.Kuonopäälle tästä ei ole kauheasti iloa...

...mutta tämä on mahtavaa! Merkkaan koko pellon!

Päivähoitovanhus

2007-11-28T10:39:00.000+02:00

Milou, toimiston vieraileva tähti, köpötteli kaikkien sydämeen.

Ritarin ratsu

2007-11-11T15:04:00.001+02:00

Emäntää villapaitavillittää. Näytän turnajaisiin valmiilta sotaratsulta.

Malli on emännän omasta päästä, ja toteutusohjeet KnitBlogista
(myös Sabrina & Apollo altistuvat kotonaan sovitusrumballe).
Lankana Novitan Isoveli Colorin poistoväri, menekki reilu 2 kerää.

The sweater was knitted following the excellent KnitBlog instructions. I attached the belly panel from one side only + added buttons to the other side, as sometimes Tara is a bit fidgety and difficult to dress. The yarn was Novita Isoveli Colori (100g = 130m), a discontinued colour that looks really quite scary in a forest ;)

Mitähän sitä tekisi?

2007-11-05T20:59:00.000+02:00

Jos menisi juomaan? Naah... Tai ottaisi lelukorista jonkun lelun... ehkä
heittelisi Hesaria vähän... nuuhkisi kirjahyllyn, jos sinne olisi jäänyt
piilotettuja naksuja... tai jos vain kääntyisi kyljelleen, jos jaksaisi...

Sukkahousut

2007-10-31T12:04:00.001+02:00

Kesäkuumilla tyylitietoinen greyneito vetää kinttuihinsa rapasukkikset: Huomatkaa nokan raparaidat! Ulos mennään meikkaamaan!

Sitkeä kouluttaja

2007-10-15T09:37:00.000+03:00

Olen asustanut nyt kaksi vuotta* näiden ronttien kanssa.
Siinä ajassa he ovat oppineet herättämään minut oikein:*Kaksi vuotta sitten kieltäydyin pissimästä kaupunkioloissa.
Kaupunki oli pelottava. Nykyään merkkaan reviirini huolella.

Keräeläin

2007-10-01T09:08:00.000+03:00

Pieni kirppu nukkuu pää tyynyllä, emännän yöpaita peittonaan.

Uteliaat askelet

2007-09-21T21:59:00.001+03:00

Pikku pasifisti Suomenlinnassa

2007-09-16T09:12:00.000+03:00

Puolustusvoimat harjoitteli ammuntaa koko retken ajan,
joten en uskaltanut mennä kovin kauas viltistä. Onneksi omat ihmiset pitävät pelokkaista koirista huolta.

Summertime, and the livin' is easy

2007-09-16T09:00:00.001+03:00

Lämmin auringonnousu Rajasaaressa.
Juoskaa te muut, minä nautiskelen.

Jälleennäkeminen yliopiston portailla. Ihana isäntä!

Kuvittajat 5 v.

2007-08-31T14:09:00.000+03:00

Kävimme kesällä Kuvittajat ry:n näyttelyssä. Minua tosin kiinnostivat
vain Sanomatalon ylös-alas liikkuvat hissit. Ja poseeraaminen, vähäsen.

Metsiemme herrasmiehet: Topi

2007-08-31T08:26:00.000+03:00

Isäntä ihastui australiankarjakoira Topiin, joka lensi USA:sta
Suomeen toukokuussa. Ja katsokaapas minun ilmettäni!

Intensiivinen katse, hiipivä askel, täydellinen kuono/korva -suhde.

Herrasmies tietää, että kohteliaisuus sulattaa naisen sydämen.
Ei riehuta, ei räyhätä, vaan istahdetaan ja kuin salaa nuuhkitaan.

Hekottava greyhound

2007-08-17T14:13:00.000+03:00

Isäntä kertoi vitsin! Vatsaan sattuu!

Voi huh mikä spurtti!

2007-08-16T13:45:00.000+03:00

Eieiei, ei. En jaksa enää juosta. Pahoitteluni yleisölle.

Keittiöapulainen

2007-08-16T09:37:00.001+03:00

Lattialla loikova tiskikone saa töitä kuonon alle...

...kulho kuitenkin pyristelee ja pyrkii karkuun...

Pysy nyt pentele paikoillasi!

Rankkaa, niin rankkaa tämä greyhoundin elämä.

Etsin varakasta valmentajaa

2007-08-05T19:27:00.000+03:00

Näihin kisoihin on pakko osallistua!

Kansankodin koirat

2007-08-05T19:15:00.001+03:00

Upsala, ostarin hampurilaisravintolan terassi:
lempeät jättiläiset odottivat tyynesti, kun isäntä valmisteli aterian. Kas noin: nyt hampurilaiset on paloiteltu! Smaklig måltid!

Isäntä opetti minut poimimaan mustikoita!

2007-07-25T20:46:00.000+03:00

Katsokaa, suoraan pensaasta, ilman käsiä.

Ei ihan yhtä hyvää kuin jauheliha, mutta kelvannee näin eräoloissa.

Älykköjen kesäpäivät

2007-07-23T18:39:00.001+03:00

Most gods find it hard to walk and think at the same time.
(Terry Pratchett / Small Gods)

Tarkkuusroiskutusta

2007-07-23T18:35:00.001+03:00

Tukholma - Turku

2007-07-23T18:29:00.001+03:00

Isännän eväsleipä herätti naapurin :-)Intensiivistä, mutta kohteliasta kerjäystä.

Emäntä vaihtoi rapsutuksia märkiin pusuihin :)

Greyhoundien kesäleiri

2007-06-24T13:10:00.000+03:00

Yyterin säntäilylle saatiin sattumalta hyvää seuraa: Kia (Extra
Dividend - Pepperseepearl) ja Elsa (Hasty Henry-High Sky).

Greyhoundien kesäleirillä juostaan...

...uidaan...

...juostaan...

...jolkotellaan & juorutaan...

...ja kaivetaan hulluna kuoppia.

Kastelin emännänkin ohijuoksuilla perusteellisesti:(Orjat lähtevät nyt autolla Eurooppaan, minä jään
työleirille nukkumaan ja syömään herkkuja. Oh yeah!)

Juhannusheila

2007-06-24T13:09:00.001+03:00

Minä ja juhannusheilani, herra lohikäärme.

Luca

2007-06-24T13:05:00.000+03:00

Riehuin pellossa Lucan (of Golden-West Fuuga) kanssa!Herrasmies antaa ladyn juoda ensin.

Paarmapelto

2007-06-14T11:30:00.001+03:00

Mikäli emäntä haluaa käydä helteisellä pellolla paarmoja tapaamassa,
niin siitä vaan! Minä ottaisin sillä välin illallisen vuoteeseen.

Synttärityttö

2007-06-12T11:17:00.001+03:00

Tara 4 v. metsästää oravia.

Totuttelemme piknikkaamaan

2007-06-05T21:08:00.000+03:00

Koirametsässä tavattuja

2007-05-16T09:54:00.000+03:00

Turkkiin pukeutunut, kohtelias herrasmies.

Hei neiti, nuuhkaiskaapa tätä!Täydellisesti asemoitu kieli.
Ville (Sökövintin CS-Ceville), Ralli (Jewgenistajan Neliveto) ja Juuso
(Citu Cupido's Gentleman Lover). Ensin otin pojilta luulot pois... ...sitten en enää niin piitannutkaan heidän touhuistaan.