Tail's Tales 2011

Other Years' Tales: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003

Christmas 2011

When Harry's master adopted Harry from a shelter eight years ago, she thought, she might never be able to have a Christmas tree at home while she is living with Harry. Harry was abandoned by the previous owner, as he was peeing everywhere inside the house. A Christmas tree would be such a dog's favourite spot to pee. To her great surprise, it took only three weeks to house break Harry. Yet Harry's family never had a Christmas tree until this year, simply because they were hardly at home during the Christmas. This year, they have got one for the children, who started believing in Father Christmas. Harry has no interest in the Christmas tree (even to pee on it!). Harry, of course, has no idea who Father Christmas is either. But he was so happy to find a present for him at the foot of the tree on Christmas Day.

Winter Dog

A winter dog is a dirty dog. The meadow in Harry's village is beautiful. But it can get really muddy in winter. After a long walk in the morning and evening, Harry's master picks up Harry at the front door and brings him straight to the bathroom.

Tricky Leaves

	The end of November. The backyard is covered by fallen leaves. It is fun to play on the dry leaves.
	But once, the ball disappears deep inside the leaves. It might take ages to find it again.

Agility for Fun

Harry still loves agility. He did not get qualified for any title this year. He did not win any prize in official agility trials. He made an ASMV team with Joya and Raja again, but they were not even close to the finalists. All these things really do not matter for Harry. Harry is doing agility just for fun now. In fact, he has been always enjoying agility for fun.

Smell of the Forest

	On the way to the agility club. Harry walks through the forest, smelling something constantly.
	It seems to be very important for Harry, to smell every little details of the forest. Let him smell it with his nose, because he cannot see it well with his eyes.

The Return of the Hippies

	Harry goes Hippies once again. His coat got soooo long, simply because his master does not have time to trim it. His hair is almost as long as...
	...eight years ago. When he was found by Harry's master in an animal shelter in the New York City. The style is quite OK for Harry, as it is getting colder and colder each day now. Goodness, it is already October.

Fallen Apples

	Time flies. It has been already six months, since the new baby joined Harry's family. Autumn is here again. And the apple trees in the backyard bore so much fruit.
	Harry gets very excited, whenever a ripe apple falls down from the tree. "THUMP!" And his human sister kindly collects the apples.
	But she does not allow Harry to eat them immediately. If Harry starts jumping and barking around the apples, the human sister will tell him "Harry! Off!! Stay!!!" Just like Harry's master. Harry would not like to listen to her, but he is conditioned to obey the commands anyway...

Snake?

Harry found a funny looking creature in the backyard. A snake? No, it is actually a legless lizard. Snakes cannot blink, because they do not have eyelids. But this little creature blinks. So it cannot be a snake! It has not been raining for weeks in the village. The dry weather brought the lizard to the drainage for water. The neighbours say, there are also snakes in the backyard, although Harry has not seen any of them yet.

Be Patient!

The toys of Harry's human sister are everywhere. They are invading Harry's small territory. "Be patient, Harry! This will not last for ever!"

Storks

During the summer, storks fly to Harry's village. Harry would not dare get close to the huge white birds. Harry just watches them and waits until they fly back to Africa. The most mysterious thing about these storks are... ... they always depart from the village on 18 August. Today is 15 August. They must be getting ready for the long trip now.

Play with me!

	The new baby turned three months old, and became more active and mobile. Until last month, Harry was completely ignoring the baby. But now Harry started thinking, the baby is getting big enough to play with Harry. So he tried...
	Harry brought his ball to the baby. The baby just did not care at all. Harry tried again and again. But the baby never paid attention to his ball.
	Eventually, the baby fell into sleep... "How can I make him play with me? Please tell me someone!!!"

Summer in Finland 2011

Harry and his family are in Finland again for summer. It was very hot last year in Finland. So Harry had a hair cut just before the trip. Luckily, this year's summer is not as hot as 2010's. Still Harry swims in the lake every day. Another usual summer holiday for Harry...

Cattle

	At the edge of the backyard. Harry and his human sister are watching something. Something interesting. Something perhaps tasty!?
	Yes, they are watching the cattle. The cattle are let off in the meadow from May to October. And they sometimes stick their heads into Harry's backyard. They seem to enjoy looking at Harry and his sister too. Maybe they think Harry and the people belong to a zoo?
	Does Harry have any idea that the beef he is eating for dinner may be originally from these huge animals, mooing idly all day long. Can a dog's instinct tell that? This is another great mystery to Harry's master.

Cherries

	There is a big cherry tree in the backyard. The tree grew lots of dark red cherries in June.
	Birds, foxes, humans and a dog, that was of course, Harry, all gathered around the cherry tree to eat sweet cherries every day.
	So many cherries went into their stomaches. Still, there many more appeared the next day. And Harry's master had to clean up bird poop, fox poop, and Harry's poop full of cherry pits ... How can Harry learn to eat cherries without swallowing the pits?

Crans-Montana

	Harry went to Crans-Montana with his family. It was the first week of June.
	No Skiing or Hiking this time. Harry and his family just relaxed and enjoyed the view of the lakes and the mountains. With a seven-week-old baby, what more can they do ?

Elderberry

	There are three elderberry trees in the backyard. The tiny white flowers are now falling like snow flakes.
	The flowering shrubs have very sweet smell. Harry loves to sniff and breeze in the fragrance.
	Before all the flowers are gone, Harry's master picked a few shrubs and made tasty syrup. The syrup is very sweet. Far too sweet for a dog to taste. Sorry Harry!

Balcony Flowers

	May in Switzerland. Red flowers started appearing on balconies everywhere. So Harry's master decided to plant some geraniums, on the balcony facing the street, to make the old house brighter and prettier.
	While Harry's master was preparing the potting soil, Harry wanted play the fetch with his big sister. But unfortunately, she was busy sweeping around the flower pots. It is OK. Harry knows it well that he only has to be patient...

New Ordeal

	What's this?
	What's this?
	I think that I have seen it before. But there is something different here...
	A new baby joined Harry's family in mid-April. And the old baby is not a baby any more. She turned two years old also in the same week. She is now a big sister of the new baby and Harry. She even gives commands like "Sit" and "Down" to Harry. The competition between the old baby and Harry is over. Now a whole new ordeal started for Harry.

Recess

A little break from all the customary activities. Harry found the sunniest spot in the house, and lied down there, sticking his nose towards the balcony. He is not watching the birds. He does not seem annoyed at all, even when the birds leave white droppings there. Harry is simply waiting. Waiting for the time to come...

Young Bärlauch

Harry found young leaves of Bärlauch. Can you see them? They are on the other side of the creek. They are still too small to pick and eat. But Harry can surely smell them well. The smell of the spring. The smell of the Sunday luncheon...

Unfortunately dogs cannot eat it, but if you are interested,
please also have a look at How to Make Bärlauchpesto.

Snowbells

	The beginning of March, the beginning of Spring. Pretty flowers started springing out everywhere. The last three years, when Harry was still living in the Basel City, his birthday was celebrated by lots of crocuses and daffodils.
	The climate of the village is, however, always 2-3 °C colder than that of the city centre. So curcuses and daffodils cannot make it to Harry's birthday this year. Instead, lots of schneeglocken (snowbells) are here to bless Harry's eighth birthday.

Who is playing for whom?

	It has been exceptionally warm for early February. The bright sunshine dried up the lawn in the backyard. So Harry and the baby decided to play together there.
	Harry has been always thinking, that he is the one who is looking after the baby. But now, the baby is much larger than Harry and she can even throw the ball for Harry.
	Harry is no longer sure, who the boss here is. "Am I back to the Omega-dog?" Such a thought doesn't seem bothering him much, because he is having so much fun with the baby after all.

Balcony

	Harry's old balcony used to be haunted by scary sparrows. In the new house, there are no more scary sparrows. Instead... This time, all sorts of small birds come into the backyard and the balcony.
	The small birds come to eat at the bird feeder, which is hanging just beside the balcony. It is fun to watch and listen to these lovely birds. However, it is a little annoying, when they leave white droppings on the balcony. So Harry's master decided to let Harry walk around the balcony during the day, just to warn the birds, "The balcony is not their toilet!"

Harry's New Home

A whole new start for the new year. Harry and his family moved to a new home. Their new home is actually a very old house in a beautiful small village in Basel. It has a lot of lovely characters to sniff around and a big backyard to run around.

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