A Day Off

Two weekends ago me and fiancé went to a hotel out of town. I was so busy taking care of what to do with the two year old and packing for the little one who would stay with us that the night before leaving I realized I had completely forgotten to make arrangements for Bella.

There's no such thing as dog friendly hotels in Iceland and just recently some camping sites have started allowing dogs to stay. I was really disappointed in myself.

But to make the best out of things I decided to check the weather forecast and the following night promised cloud and rain. If it would come true it would mean Bella could sleep in the car overnight. Despite it being spring the temperature is fairly low.

The drive was a lot of fun, we drove through a fjord that's called Hvalfjörður which translates as Whale-fjord. It's a short driving distance from the city and used to be the only way to get to western Iceland but a tunnel rendered the road useless and now it's barely used.

When we reached the hotel I was freaking out because the sun was shining and there was no way I would let Bella stay in the car that way. I was trying to figure out if and how I could smuggle her inside or what else I could do. Thankfully, while I was agonizing over what to do, the sky thickened up and it started raining in the evening. Bella was in excellent shape the morning after.

On the way back home (and actually also on the way to the hotel, but I discarded the photos) we stopped to let Bella loose.

There was some running. And then:

 

Emergency brakes!

 

There's sniffing to do.

 

Sniffing at the beach.



More sniffing to do.

 

Back to the beach to.. yep, sniff!

I am fond of this last one, it just lacks the tracking line and we would look like professionals.

Happy Birthday Bella!

Today was a very special day -it's three years since Bella was born.

I had some time to kill downtown Reykjavík after my physiotherapy and decided to revisit the dog fence with Bella. It has been fixed so me and Bella played ball in beautiful but cold weather.

 

Photo taken around 3 in the afternoon, yup, that's the sun setting!

I was freezing when I got into the car so I almost decided not to bother checking the other dog fence that was about 10 minutes away and had also been built without being dogproof. I had also botched something up with the camera so it wasn't focusing as it should. 

However I still had enough time so when I found the fence I decided to take a better look at it. For some reason it didn't feel as cold there.

It's a lot nicer area than the other fence, it's next to a public park and the Reykjavík petting zoo. However it's placed in a giant field and the ground is still very sore after the construction. 

 

 

Bella was ready to play some more.

 

 

"More please, it's my birthday!"

Since I knew the fence hadn't been dogproof I decided to see if it would contain my terrior after being fixed. Bella was not amused.

 

"Let me out! Let me out!"

 

Both fences are in fact a lot better and at present they should keep most dogs in. The gates themselves will however allow dogs with narrower chests than Bella to slip through. She got herself halfway through and probably could squeeze her way through if she really desperately wanted to.

When we got home Bella was acting a little uneasy. The kind of behaviour that always she does to suggest I am forgetting something.

Hmmm...
Water available? Check.
Been out to play? Check.
Had the opportunities to send peemail? Check
Napped in the car? Check.
Hungry? Ah... of course, I skipped breakfast to give her a birthday "cake" in the afternoon!

So me and my son Magnus created a gourmet cake from an Icelandic speciality that consists of liver, fat and oats... I better not get started on what sort of food Iceland is known for!

Bella would jump through fire for most liver-based foods so she wasn't about to let some puny candles stop her from gorging herself.

 

"Just to be clear, I'm not on a diet tonight!"

It's not every day that treats are allowed for an entire meal, usually I use normal dog food as treats so today was something special.

Now it's time for Bella's regular evening nap to get rested for tonight's sleep. I think she's been happy with her birthday and I'm glad I had the time and energy to do something for her.

More Camera Woes

The memory card for my camera broke and they are so ridiculously expensive in Iceland that I will rather order one from abroad.

I was rather sad as I missed a nice photo opportunity when me and Bella met two Labradors two days ago. We don't often meet other dogs as Bella can get insanely insecure but this meeting went well in gorgeous camera perfect weather.

However I had to leave after a while as the dogs were getting more and more aggressive about sniffing Bella which was clearly starting to freak her out. It confirmed my suspicion that she's due to go into heat soon. Which got me thinking if I should go ahead early next year and have her spayed. I wasn't going to even if I had decided I didn't want to breed her but not being able to let her loose for almost two months a year is a lot of time spent not playing frisbee.

A Quiet Moment

Return From Frisbee Heaven

Me and Bella are baaaaack to civilization and high speed internet! We spent a week in the country where there was no tv and what was even worse, in the area we were staying dogs were strictly forbidden. Woops! Not the best thing to discover the day we arrive.

So we smuggled our good selves in and out of the house and to areas that allowed dogs. Yet another example of strange dog prejudice in Iceland, where the mentaility is that it's best to ban things just in case.

Anyway, we found a fabulous spot near a lake where we could frisbee lots and lots. Bella loves frisbeeing and she's getting really good at it. Her one eye doesn't seem to bother her frisbeeing.

She's getting very accurate in predicting the direction and taking a direct route even if the disc is going in a curved manner.

BEWARE: BRAKE TEST!!!

Bella always takes the frisbee back to me no matter who has treats.

Sometimes it's a bit hard running full speed with a terrier sized frisbee.

That's why a clever little dog improvises.

Much easier this way!

She's even so clever that she found a way to get a treat and still keep the frisbee claimed as hers!

A clever little terrier like Bella doesn't take long to figure out that she can steal frisbees from others to hoard and then run off like the wind!

I think this has to be one of the most awesome holidays I've been on. It did snow for one day out of seven but it didn't matter, we all had so much fun as a family. Frisbeeing was just one of the many great things we did. Bella was a really happy dog, even if she was an illegal immigrant in the area! She did a great job of being there without being there! I don't believe I've ever cleaned any place I've stayed at as well as this house. Maybe me and Bella should move to a more dog friendly country someday. I believe Iceland must rank lowest of the western countries when it comes to a friendly dog culture.

Until then, we will enjoy being able to frisbee in areas outside the city we call home.

Freedom

Today brought more action, we went fishing, did some tracking (proving to my fiancé she can do it) and played frisbee. We also met a Vizsla that Bella thought appropriate to bark at. Bella also ran into water a little deeper than she expected.

Unfortunately I need to be picky with photos as I'm on expensive 3G internet during my holidays and can't upload much.

I'm really enjoying the photo opportunities I've had so far. Bella still seems a little sore in one leg since one week ago, I am pretty sure she's limping a little after we go out but it's barely enough to notice. However if it persists I am going to have a vet look at it.
One thing I wonder if I should have some shoes for her in case she does get sore. I have no experience with such things though so if any of our doggy friends know something me and Bella would appreciate any advise or recommendations. Same with what's best to do if she does get sore.

Just Checking In

Me and Bella just wanted to check in.

We're currently enjoying our Easter Holiays. Big smiles all over!

Bella's Tough Life

Some days are perfect to stay snuggled up in the sofa. Bella knows that sport well.

There was some commotion that required Bella's watchful eye. Yawn.

Of course, the truth is that Bella was having a nice lie in after a bike ride in the morning and later in the day, a walk with baby. We were to feed the horses this morning and the whole family went biking to do the job. On the way back the weather was so nice that we extended the bike ride by quite a bit.

Unfortunately when I shot these photos I forgot to remove the harness or collar. I have three different leashes and two harnesses in use now and exchange frequently! Although Bella doesn't look much like a runway model, I normally try to avoid such fashion disasters as the second photo. ;)

Bella's Parcel

After receiving a notification about a parcel waiting, I went on my lunch break to pick it up.

Bella didn't care much for it so I got paranoid and called in the special forces to make sure it wasn't an explosion or anthrax. There was some prodding and poking. Serious business!

With some special techniques the parcel was opened up safely and inspected.

An hour later we received the verdict: Not dangerous.

Oh! It's Bella's new collar and harness!

Bella agreed to model for me. Look at that long neck, could we fake it as a Whippet?

Can we now go out for a walk?

Then there's the harness, it's pretty much exactly what I was looking for! Wearing it, Bella could pass for a streetwise member of a motorcycle gang.

Ruff!

Bella Has Mail!

Yessum, the Mailman sent me and Bella mail!

Bella thought my attempt at making her pose with her mail meant she was OK'd to eat it. Noooo Bella! Stop being such a terrior!

I just barely saved Bella's mail from her and we're going to pick our mail up from the custom's office tomorrow and see what we'll find. I love getting mail that says I have mail!

Sunday is Funday!

Me and Bella were with full responsibility over baby Magnus this week as my fiancé went to Norway. I had made all sorts of plans to bike and go for walks after work with Bella and Magnus. On Monday I had to leave work early because Magnus was sick. He was still sick the day my fiancé came home which meant that after work I was stuck inside with Bella for a week. Noooo!

Today we woke up early and went for a walk to feed the horses, feeling like prisoners that had just been let out of jail. After we got home we were still frisky and decided to go out for a leash-less run. The weather was gorgeous!

Bella was really happy to finally get to stretch her legs properly and used the opportunity to run.

Then there was a ball thrown into play! My fiancé and Bella competed for the ball. Bella was a little selfish as she loves nothing more than destroying balls.

Running running running!

Bella had a "Pointer" moment. I can't stop admiring how athletic and sturdy she looks.

Bella is not keen to share her balls but took one to Magnus and dropped it right in front it him. I'm amazed at how good friends they've become. Bella is super nice to him and he is really kind to her.

And then there was more running! This time in black and white.

All of the sudden Bella started marching like a dog soldier.

She even tried a paw at walking! Happy to be out in the sun, are we?

Back to normal and very pleased!

I feel re-energized now!