Tail's Tales 2008

Other Years' Tales: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003

Christmas 2008

There were a few big changes in Harry's life this year. There may be more changes next year. But in the time of changes, Harry is always sure of himself. "Just live the moment and enjoy!" A simple truth of life, which a simple dog can teach his family...

Dinner Time

Harry's dinner time lasts for a long time. He eats up his meal in 30 seconds, but continues to lick the bowl for 30 minutes, or until the smell of the food completely disappears. He seems to enjoy licking the bowl as much as he enjoys eating actual food. When Harry is finished with his dinner, a clean shiny food bowl is always left behind.

Mirror Image

Only humans, apes, dolphins and elephants are known to be able to recognize selves in a mirror. Harry is afraid of looking into the mirror because a dog that he doesn't know always appears there. Yet sometimes he sees his master's image there and starts wagging his tail.

Dirty Dog

	The forest, where Harry's agility club is, is now completely covered with fallen leaves. Harry likes to stick his nose into the leaves, and breathe in the smell of Autumn.
	It has been raining for quite a few days. The leaves are wet, heavy and dirty. Harry's nose, paws, legs, and belly can get very dirty after a walk in the forest. But he does not it mind it at all, because he gets even dirtier during the agility training.

The Smell of Autumn

The ginkgo tree, which Harry and his master accidentally found in the middle of the bushes in the park near their house, grew lots of tasty nuts this year too! While his master picks up the nuts, Harry sniffs around the the fallen leaves, moist dirt, and the ginkgo nuts. They are all the smell of Autumn, which Harry likes very much.

Whiskers

People often say that a cat's whiskers cannot be cut, while a dog's whiskers can be clipped for aesthetic reasons. But Harry's master often wonders, "Then what a dog's whiskers are for?" "Doesn't Harry need whiskers to gauge a hole?" "Can whiskers help Harry walk in complete darkness?" So just in case whiskers are useful for a dog, Harry's whiskers are always kept long just like a cat's whiskers are.

The Lonely Duckling

The ugly duckling is nowadays keeping some distance from other ducks. Perhaps he realized that he was not one of them after all. Unfortunately he is not one of the swans either. What will he do now? Will he stay there all alone rest of his life? Or will he set out to the big world in search for his family?

Rain

Harry has been waiting for the rain to stop for a while. But it would not just stop raining... So Harry decided to go out in the rain. The walk along the River Rhein is actually not so bad, even when it is down pouring afterall. Because the huge leaves of the plane trees make up a natural arcade. Unfortunately, the leaves will start falling soon. Then autumn will be here again.

Car 2

	In the car, Harry always stays in his Sherpa Bag. (See also Car.) But the summer weather in Europe is sometimes quite hot. And Harry's black Sherpa Bag can feel like a sauna in the back seat. So when staying inside the bag gets too uncomfortable for Harry, he is allowed to stay at his master's feet in the front seat.
	Harry feels where the cool air comes from. Soon he falls into sleep, as his nose pointing toward the air conditioner.

Berry Picking

	Harry went hiking in the Black Forest in Germany. It was raspberry and blueberry season there. Sweet raspberries and blueberries were everywhere! Whenever Harry's master started picking berries, Harry quietly sat beside her and waited...
	... because he knew it was the best way to to get some berries for himself. Tasty treats for a well-behaved dog. That's the rule! Please also have a look at Black Forest, Germany in Harry's World Jouneys.

The Ugly Duckling

	Harry spotted some little ducklings on the River Rhein. So the River Rangers started patrolling along the bank.
	But look! There is something odd down there. One of them looks quite different from other ducks.
	The one on the left is white as snow. What kind of duck are you? Will your neck grow longer by any chance? Maybe one day you will turn into a beautiful swan...

Blue Ball

A friend of Harry's master said: Dogs cannot distinguish red from green very well. That might be true! Harry's favourite toy is a Red Ball. He loves to chase after the red ball at the Old Wall. One day Harry lost the red ball in the big lawn. The red ball hid itself somewhere in the green bush forever... After a while, Harry got a new ball. A blue ball. He should be able to spot the blue ball more easily than a red one.

Shoes 2

Harry needs to wear shoes when he visits a nursery home. Harry and his master learned in the therapy-dog training that the skin of elderly people is very fragile. But do you remember? Harry had a problem walking with Shoes before. So his master made softer shoes from her old fleece jacket. Harry tried the new shoes on. He freezed for a moment, but soon started walking normally. Although his face looked a little bewildered...

Toy Doctor

	Time by time, Harry's master becomes a toy doctor. She sews togther the broken nose, ears and legs of Harry's friends. Harry always waits very anxiously during the treatment.
	Then Harry starts playing with his friends again. Sure enough! It will not take long before another medical emergency arises.

Left!

Harry's master found out that Harry can see only with his right eye. So Harry started practicing a new command, "Left!". With the command he has to turn left after a jump, no matter what he sees on the right. Once Harry understands what "Left!" means, would he be able to enjoy agility better. It may take a long time for Harry to learn it. But he is not in a hurry. (Photo Courtesy of Vincenzo Basso)

Restaurant

Harry and his master went to a restaurant in a forest with friends from the therapy dog class. It was amazing to see how 25 dogs neatly settled under small tables in a small restaurant. Harry was also lying down under the table first. But because he was too small for the waiter to notice, he was almost kicked twice. So in the end, he decided to sit up and watch out.

What can Harry see?

Harry jumps like a Jack-in-the-Box to see the outside world. Harry can see a busy postman, a big fat cat from next door, chirping birds in bushes, and other dogs in the neighbour. What Harry is not probably seeing is beautiful cherry blossoms, bushes getting greener each day, and anything that stays still. "But if you take me outside, I can see them better!"

Harry lost his vision in the left eye by retinal detachment.
Degeneration has started in his right eye too.
But he is still a happy dog, and curious to see the world with his right eye!

Bärlauch

It was a chilly spring morning. Strong wind flavoured with garlic was blowing from the north. Why garlic!? Because Bärlauch (Wild Garlic) was growing along the river. Harry was quietly watching over his master, while she was picking Bärlauch on the steep riverbank. Harry was simply wondering, "Do you eat it? Can I have it too?"

Unfortunately Harry cannot eat it, but his master made pesto from the Bärlauch.
Please also have a look at How to Make Bärlauchpesto.

Hand

Harry started Sozialhunde-Ausbildung (Therapy Dog Training) in Swiss School for Guide Dogs for the Blind. A good therapy dog must be able to walk on the both sides of his master With the "Hand!" command, he must come to the right side. This is not very easy. Because until now, with the "Heel!" command, Harry was trained to walk only on the left side. He still looks a little bewildered when he is on the right side. "Am I really supposed to be on this side?"

Strong Dog

There lives a big dog on the other side of the river. Every morning, he barks at Harry while walking along the river. Harry never barks back. He only wonders, "Why is he barking at me? Is it because I am a strong scary dog?" Harry is a very confident dog. But he has no idea how small he really is.

New Clicker

Harry turned five years old. He got a new clicker as a birthday present. He is very happy to have the new clicker, because a new clicker means more training and more treats! After five years, he still licks his mouth as soon as he hears the clicking sound. (Go to Clicker Training if you are not familiar with a clicker.)

The Waggis are Coming to Town

	You'd better watch out You'd better line up Better buy 'Blaggedde' I'm telling you why — The Waggis are coming to town!
	The Basler Fasnacht started at 4AM on Monday, 11 February. First Harry looked a little scared of the big sound of drums. But soon he remembered that he heard it last year too. He went to see the parade with his family and guests. It was so much better than staying home alone with the noise. And Harry got lovely flowers from the Waggis.

Not familiar with the Fasnacht (Carnival)?
Then have a look at Basler Fasnacht 2007 in Harry's World Jouneys.

Take me with you!

Harry went to Saas-Fee to ski with his family. It had already been 9 months since he went skiing last time. Still, he remembered that he can follow his master to the ski slopes if he stays in her black backpack. As soon as his master gets changed in her skiwear, Harry quickly jumps in the backpack and waits for her. Perhaps with a bit of anxiety: Is she really taking me with her? Harry can only get relaxed when he finally gets on the cable car.

Please also have a look at Fasnacht in Saas-Fee in Harry's World Jouneys.

Guardian of Slippers

	You probably still remember what Harry is doing while he is Home Alone with Kong. But what does he do after he is finished with the Kong? The answer is... Harry is guading his master's slippers! And he takes the job very seriously too. Whenever Harry's master comes back home, her slippers are warm and ready to be served.
	When Harry is home with other family members, he still tries to guard his master's slippers. When someone tries to move or wear her slippers, Harry a little hesitantly tells him/her "No!".

New Year in Japan

Harry's new year started in Japan. There were no scary fireworks or big brassband music on the Japanese New Year's Eve. But there were food and sweets and more food. Harry has never eaten so much without doing any tricks. On the New Year's Day, Harry went to a shrine to wish the year of the mouse be filled with love, laughter and lots of cheesey treats! At the Narita Airport on the way back to Switzerland, Harry had to pay 1kg more pet charge for his flight. No wonder, he gained some weight in Japan...

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