Thursday, 22nd of June 2006

This is Manuel's third week in Sweden. During the past days he has been scratching himself a lot, and as we are planning to celebrate the Swedish "midsummer" holíday with Vorsteh Golda and many others we decided to pay a visit at the vet's to get him examined. If flees or something we do not want to ignore that and spread it to other dogs. Well no flees or anything like that was found. They talked about allergy, so we should test to change foods and treats.

When we were heading for the car, a guy on a bike stopped and asked if Manuel was an Akita. It happened to be so, that he had an American Akita (9 months old). Everytime somebody is correct regarding the breed of Manuel you can be sure they either have had and Akita och American Akita, or at least know somebody who have hade one...

When I and Manuel played in the yard, Lotta surprised us by bying a life-vest for Manuel. If we by any chanse will go for a bote-ride tomorrow at Ingela's we will be prepared. Of course Manuel loved the life-vest....not! /Mikael

Friday, the 23rd of June 2006

Midsummer eve, was celebrated in Bjärred at Golda's, Ingela's and Björn's house. Manuel prepared himself all morning by having a nicke sleep-in on the balcony.

In Bjärred there was four other dogs. Golda, Arnold (miniature Schnauzer) and two Parson Russel terriers. He played mostly with Golda, but after a while (whe Arnold had told Manuel who was in charge) the two of them also started to play. Manuel spent 10% of his time playing, 80% sleeping and 10% "I have to calm down, by staying fenced -thinks Charlotte and Mikael" - time".

/Mikael

Saturday, the 24th of June 2006

All three of us were very tired...

Well, I can tell you about different sleeping-positions.  Mikael was either in bed och on the sofa. Manuel was under the sofa, or at least half-way under, or at the balcony. Charlotte was a bit mor busy. She put on the jogging-shoes and went for a run in the park. /Mikael

Sunday, the 25th of June 2006

I was up very early and went out in the yard with Manuel. Back in the flat again we both fell a sleep in the living-room. Manuel by the tile-stove and me on the sofa. Charlotte woke us up just in time for break-fast and walk no. two. By lunch I put Manuel in the car and headed for the "Bulltofta dog-park". It is a huge field with areas of trees and bushes. I realised very soon that I needed to have Manuel by the leash, since puppies are naturally warm, and likes to seed for shade like "in the middle of some bushes", preferably briers with a lot of sharp thorns. After a some running a round, puppy-style he was warm and headed for an area with a lot of bushes.

For somebody who does not know, it is a real experience one never forgets trying to convince a puppy that it is much nicer out in the hot sun, than under the cool briers. The end-result is of course me crawling, in shorts, and t-shirt...into the briers...

A bit later during that day, our friend Henke came to pay a visit. Manuel did not show his most active personality when Henke tried to shoot some nice pictures, men despite that some came out very well. Manuel relaxed in the shadow from to flower-pots while me, Henke and Lotta had some nice cool lemonade from elderberries. /Mikael

Monday, the 26th of June 2006 

Today we visited Lisa and Fredrik in Hofterup. Manuel is getting more and more used to go by car. He likes the new door-mat in his cage better than old news-papers. Lisa and Fredrik have been living in Hofterup since October last year and we can fully understand why they decided to move there. Who doesn't want to live so close to the woods? Manuel loved it there and investigated the area. Maybe he was a bit too brave and extended the area a bit too much. Manuel was totally exhausted and I guess he wants to go back there again. /Mikael

Tuesday, the 27th of June 2006 

Me and Lotta decided to take a look at a house that was for sale in the Österlen-area. Which of course also included that Manuel would join us. We headed for Österlen just before lunch and made a brake at Björka, outside Sjöbo where we normally go fishing. But Manuel did not give a shit (or actually he did).

In Simrishamn me and Lotta had a herring-burger each (lovely) at the smoke-house in the harbor-area. Next stop was the actual harbor where Manuel got to see a lot of other dogs.

Our little Spanish guy has now reached the 9 kilos-limit and has in principle reached the double amount of weight compared to when he arrived. Time flies!

/Mikael

Wednesday, the 28th of June 2006 

Today we received a mail from Henke. He sent two very nice pictures. One close-up of Manuel and one group-picture of the whole pack. The close-up is lovely and would fit in any magazine.

I went to work and stayed there for a couple of hours. Based on a vocal report, Manuel is scratching himself quite a lot. Lotta also reported that she had groomed his coat, stopped him from eating cigarette ends, and old chewing-gum. After recently being outside, he thought it would be suitable to pee inside and chew on Lotta's slippers. "Mummy" got frustrated, and when I came home I met a wild and crazy Akita- puppy running around in the yard. When the game was over he started to play with me, and when that game became a bit too tough (sharp teeth) I tried to cool him down. There is no need buying expensive dog-toys - when old socks, bottles, toilet paper and old tennis-balls are just as fun according to Manuel.

Thursday 29th of June 2006 

We decided to go to Osby and stay there for a couple of days. On our way to Osby we passed Höör and the dog-shop Teba. Of course we had to buy a lot of "necessary" stuff. Teba has to be "Mecca" for dog-people.

Before entering the house we stopped by the Nordin family so they could say hello to him. They gave him a yummy chewing-bone and a scarf to wear around his neck.

Of course Manuel put a large pile on their lawn... /Mikael

Friday the 30th of June 2006