THE LEGEND OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG

At a place where the waves explode upon the reef in boiling foam, a legend was born.

It tells the story how God looked on day turned one day to contemplate all of his creations. He had a look on a small, storm slashed, island which was inhabited from a small populace of fishermen. These tough people fought with boldness against the grim nature, but the frosty winters and the forbidding coastline took its toll and demanded their human sacrifices. Nevertheless, they remained unshaken in their doggedness which matched their courage.

God saw al this trouble and felt sympathy for this people. He thought about how he could lighten their burden. He searched among his creatures to find one which could serve this purpose but found none. So he decided to create one.

 He took the body of a bear, whose bone structure lent well to such arduous labours and whose thick fur would resist the bitter cold. Then he thought to soften this silhouette with the outline of the seal, so he could swim better and slide smartly through the waves.

His eyes wandering across the see he met the dolphins which followed agile and snoopy the boats. Their small, friendly eyes bared a cheerful animal that loved the humans and where to willingly to rescue their lives. He must not forget that!

Bit by bit and by the help of the Lords wonderful creativeness a magnificent animal with a bright fur, powerful and gentle the same time, arose. What does it still need to reach in his faithfulness every rigour to live with the people, always willing to sacrifice their live for them? So God gave it the heart of a dog and the miracle was entire! 

Since that day the people at the sea have a brave, strong and faithful companion – the Newfoundland!

(Original from the book Il Cane Di Terra Nova by Emmy Bruno, editor Mursia-Milano, English translation by Detlef Grein based on the German version from Armin Nef, Freidorf (CH))

Review and good resolutions

Siiiiiiiigh* Oh weellllll *sigh*..............
Hey Flanna what's up, never seen you so sorrowful before !
Umm well Rike, none of our Christmas wishes was fulfilled, not one *sigh* none, not a drag. Not even the snow came!

You're right Flanna, although the year has started so great. Here, have a look!!
Oh yeeees snow, we had him in January and end of February we took him with us all the way from Bavaria*grin*
Huh, took him with us ?????????
Yes, when we visited Adele, then Adele and I just tied a cloud at the back of our car when we went back home. Hihihi and our 2leggies were wondering the whole journey why it was snowing all the time*laughing*

You're right, here I got a picture of us three. Even I've never seen so much snow before as at Adele's home in Bavaria.
That was really great, but the best was in the evening when your muscles were so sore that you were walking as if you had wetted your furpants. *laughing loud*
That's nooooooot truuueee *puffed up*

But you still remember this Rike ???
That was in April, the Newfs-Express  *clapping her paws* that was great, we went on a trip with our steam-train next door.
Yes, that was really great, and the best is: On may 17th 2014 it will ride again, our dogtrain!
Huh, dog exercise?? The express got a locomotive, so we don't have to train!!! *looking dumbfounded*
No training Flanna, you deadhead. Train, railway etc. got it now?

By the way, remember where this was???
Yeeeees, *jump* that's at our friends in the Netherlands, that's Lakaya, Boenjo and you ....................... huuuh, where am I then *peering*
Hihihi, even when you try to look from the top on the picture you wouldn't see more.
But I know where you've been, you stuck with your head in the sand, had nothing else then digging in your mind *shaking her head*

Eww, but there we were allowed to dig, Yes! *beaming* Yes, you're right, but only in that huge sandbox ................ aaaaand not digging out the tree at the entrance so that it was close to fall down you deadhead, gosh that was so embarrassing again with you *chunter*
Yes, I know *meekly* I will do better in the future, really ........... I promise !!!'
You and promising *laughing loud* I wanna see that !!!
Ha you'll see ! *looking defiant*

 

In September Adele was visiting us, that was absolutely brilliant !
Yes, and then we had all that gatherings with our other doggiefriends and their 2leggies.
Summer-party, dogs-blessing also, quite a busy year.
You're right Rike, and then you've been ill, wasn't able to pee. Thank god they were able to help you at the animal hospital, and that immediately, because you started right on the table to p.........umpf ......

SHUT UP, if you don't want me to box your ears Flaaannnaaa!

Ummuuumm........hey take your ar.. from my snout I don't say anymore  *giggle* but that was funny, and such happens to you.
Flannaaaa, you promised to improve !!!!!!!!!!! Y'know, the new year and the resolutions!!!!
Yes, I for one resolved not to steal anymore on two legs. *big grin* and maybe to drag a tiny bit less on the leash. But only out of love to mum, because she's always whining that her arms get longer every time and that would look awful by and by!!!!

And Rike, how about your resolutions ?????
Of course I got one. I resolved to stay as I am, because I'm anyway the best *big grin*
Whaaat are you .......................

 Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

We wish you all a Happy New Year!!

Flanna Neufundi  and Rike Neuberner

©Bea Grein
translation: Detlef Grein

My doggy everyday - by Flanna Neufundi

Dear friends, I'd like to show you my regular daily dogroutine!
Here we go :
6:00 a.m. Alarm goes of, sleep on stubbornly
6.30 a.m. Somehow my master managed it to get me into the harness and to drag me outside (Doing my business sleepwalking)
7:00a.m. Waiting for breakfast ( Mum's once again too slow, I spur her by treading on her feet)
7.05 a.m. After kindly refusing the breakfast( No doggysausage in it and I don't like that other muck today) I'm taking a nap while my Mummy gives the morning grouch and sleepwalks (She shuffles like remotely controlled around and always mumbles something about coffee)
9:00 a.m. Time to do my garden lap, thus let's hack Mummy till she drops her office work to open the patio door for me.
9.15 a.m. Coming in with wet, earthy paws and walking through the living room, kitchen, hall in the basement. (So Mummy knows even where it has been cleaned and where not)
9.30 a.m. Waking up Rike and huffing her till she bunks ( Now the way is clear to bum some treats from Mummy! Have not even had breakfast yet !)
10 a.m. But now I gall my breakfast, mooching something from Mummy hasn't worked (unfortunatly)
10.30 - Noon Taking a nap (of course always there where Mummy wants to clean )
Noon ........... 

 Ok, where were we?? I see...
Noon Quickly up and do not let Mummy out of sight ( Wanna have my sausage-end from Mummys lunch)
12.30 p.m. Outside again ( business, you know)
1-2.30 p.m. Nap (has to be fit for later action)
2.30 p.m. Let's have a look at Mummy ( She's resting on the sofa and definatly needs my intensive care now)
3 p.m. Goh, I fall asleep with Mummy ( nestling down and getting petted at the ear is just too nice)
3 - 6 p.m. Mummy let Rike and me in the garden (trimming the hedge, digging a hole *don't know what for* huffing Rike and playing with her, inbetween always trying to dig a hole in the waterbin *hasn't worked, only the water decreased and I got wet*
6 p.m. Welcoming Daddy and explaining to him that we didn't had a single bite the whole day long **Note from the editor: The dog has had breakfast, a lunch snack and treats in between**
8 p.m. after dinner ( At last tasty yoghurt with cranberryjuice as topping) going for the evening stroll
9-9.30 p.m. taking a rest (snooping and cadging treats on the way is soooo exhausting)
 

9.30 p.m. Fullfilling my last business in the garden, collecting bedtime treats, going upsatirs with Mummy and having a last gulp fresh from the tap (I never go to bed without it)
9.50 p.m. Cuddling in bed with Mummy (this is sooooo nice)
10 p.m. Going downstairs to my sleeping berth ** Good night friends **

 © Bea Grein
translation by Detlef Grein

Cakenapping and a PINK revenge

Flannaaaa ???
What’s up Rike ??
There is a chocolate cake at the table and our 2leggies are busy!! *smirk*
Realy?
Yeah, just look there!! *smirks broader*
Ooooh yeeesss *slobber* there is really a super dooper delicious chocolate cake *slobber* on the table!!!
(On the floor is already a reasonable puddle)

Just nick a piece for us Flanna! *peeps challenging* it’s no problem for you to reach it, you’re taller then me!!!
But I’m not allowed to do so, I’ll get an awful lot of scolding from mummy *slobber*(puddle gets even larger)
I’ll keep cave and give alarm if the 2leggies are coming or looking *looks convincingly* but hurry up, before the table will be flooded by your slobber!!!!
And you really watch out Rike, dead certain?

Sure, come on now!!!

Hurry up Flanna, get the cake!!!
Ok 3......2......1.........go
Woof woof woof
Shut up Rike, stop barking ...........
Flaaaaannnaaaa!
Down from the table, you’re off your rocker!!!
Don’t you know that your snout should not be on the table, least of all your paws!
Rike you dopey quealer........ wait till I get you *furiously stomping on her paws* you miserable turncoat!!

There was a cat Flanna i swear *putting on an innocent face* I’ve only barked because of the cat *chuckles silently*
Yes sure, don’t pee down my neck and tell me it’s raining!! You did it on purpose, you sneaky bitch.Definitly not Flanna, I would never ever do that * putting on an even more innocent face*
 


 Sure, we’ll talk about it later, first I’ve to curry favour with mummy……but then we’ll trash it out……take my word for it *still furious*
By the way I don’t like nut cake........

A little later in the afternoon...

......slurp, slurp, slurp..... ahhhh how refreshing! *Rike licks pleasurably her snout*
So, and now let’s play some football with the 2le…e…e.., where the heck is my ball now??
I’ve just placed it here, exactly on this spot, who was it??????? *looks deranged *Flanna, have you seen my ball???
Your ball ..... your PINK ball ???? *smirk * Your beloved pink ball ????
Yees MY pink ball !! *looks bugged*
Naaahhh I haven’t *looking as innocent as a lamb*
But it doesn’t go „poof“ *starting to search nervously*
March yourself over here Flanna !!!
Yes, what’s up......
Phhha .... Ugh your totally wet around your snout
Of course, also just had a gulp and refreshed myself! Why are you nuzzling around my snout!
Well, I just wanted to check if you had my pink ball. Oh bother, where is it *her nerves being at breaking point*
 Well then you’ve to search it Rike *looking astute* gonna retrieve it then.....
 I’ll do, I have to…. I must .......

Teehee if she would know ..... revenge is PINK.......

Flanna Neufundi

Rike Neuberner

There mummy

© Bea Grein
translated by Detlef Grein

The root of all evil!!

Hi friends,I’m still done from our last excursion, that why this time my secetary can occur word!!


The alarm rings, what’s that wet in my face?My dear dog says “Good Morning” with a happy wagging tail.
Drowsy I torture myself out of bed and shamble through the corridor to the bathroom.
Suddenly, what’s that!!??
Something soft and wet under my foot.
Frighten me.
Oh no, the dog! You stand on something that belongs to the dog!!!!
A jump to the side, that poor animal should not suffer!
All within 2 seconds and without remembering the wardrobe that now says kindly „Good Morning“ to my head!
Because wardrobes are not only in the morning but in general not really chatty companions, more some of the harder kind.
It comes what must come.
A failure of the standing force and slowly sinking to the ground, combined with the fact that the left hand grasps the head straight to the place where the wardrobe said good morning!
Yet, surprise, surprise, the stars appeared again in the morning!
At least in my eyes!
Left hand on the head, stars in the eyes, the right hand scans around and finds the soft humidity!!
The view clears up and the fog gives way and that mysterious thing turns oft to be a plushie.
Plushies, that are these soft toys which the dog loves to carry in its snout until they’re drenched with slobber and it is worth to clutch them onto mummy’s face!
Later they’re left on the floor to get dry again!
A sigh of relief!Thank god, it wasn’t the dog, in the same moment a slowly rising sense of anger!
Why must that stupid piece lay around here?????
My right hand reduces the anger by giving that thing a free ride through the corridor and the open door to the living room!
Happy landing!!!!!
So now again closing my eyes, with fingering with my left hand the place of my head where, not long ago, it had the one-sided conversation with the wardrobe!
There is no a big bump.
Great, just wanted to wash my hair!
Opening m eyes again I see a mountain of fur which, happily wagging it’s tail and with a loving glance, is sitting in front of me!
The right hand already raised, the words „Nothing happened“ on the tongue and then my eyes caught sight of what was in the snout of that beloved pet, red and yellow it shines on both sides of the dog’s snout!!!
It opened it’s snout and that thing falls out, rolls and stopped exactly there where it was 3 minutes ago, before the one-sided conversation of head and wardrobe!!
Yes, there it is again, the root of all evil, the starting point of that calamity!
The plushie !!! 

By the way, I promise improvement and will now lay out my plushies on the sofa to dry!!!
Yours Flanna Neufundi  © Bea Grein
translated by Detlef Grein

Merry X- bicker-mas!! We still love each other!

Hello my dear friends.....*looking around nervously *....I’m a bit earlier today, just to tell you something really funny before thus brown pinhead comes.
Do you know  *giggle* how to get a garbage bag incl. stand walking around the kitchen?
No?????


It’s dead simple. I show you (‚Gelber Müllsack’ is the garbage bag and ‚Doof-Kopf’ is the pinhead):

As you can see, it’s very easy and doesn’t take much.
The best thing is: The parts joins together on there own. You not even have to lift a finger.
Helloooooooooo.......WHAT’S THAT?
Rike you stupid sneak, delete this immediately!!
No, I’m not, you’ve got just tell yourself that this happened to you.
There’s no prove for this!!!
Well, mistress first had a laugh as she saw you with your head in that thing, walking backwards through the kitchen....
That was sooo cheeky even to laugh at me!!!!
.....second my dear Flanna she was busy to release that gobball out of that awkward position.
So no chance for any pictures!
Although I would have kept you in that thing, at least you would have done no more nonsense! *lol*
Sure of you I expect nothing else, so now delete that immediately!!!
Never ever!!!
I’ll belt you one!!!!
Catch me first hahah!!!
HELLLLLOOOOO!!!
What’s going on here???
You can’t even stop to bicker just before Christmas??
Ah mummy, just look what Rike has done, I’m sure now all gonna laugh at me!!!
This, my dear Flanna, would be well deserved, and now stop quarrelling!
We all wanted to wish our dear friends out there a merry Christmas.
You’re right mummy, we should stop this now!
This says the right, who has sta....
Shut Up!
Well all you dear friends of the shortbarks out there, we wish you all a merry Christmas! 
With a lot of treats for us furnoses!
And a lot of hugs and cuddles. 
Till next time (and last time this year)...bye, bye says

Flanna Neufundi and Rike Neuberner with Mummy Bea

 

 © Bea Grein
© translation: Detlef Grein

November Blues

Munch.... crunch.....gulp....eautif ood orning... gulp.... swallow
Oh sorry, was still eating, a beautiful good morning I wanted to say!!
Haven't noticed it's already Thursday again but somehow the time's just floating and we don't really recognise it.
In the morning and evening when we go for a walk with our 2leggies it's always dark outside. Thank god we could at least use the garden in the daytime, otherwise I would think it's dark the whole day and never get's bright again.
Ruuuummble .....slip.....xrash....... heeeeeeelllpp.....Bang clip

hahahahahah.....that's what you get when you always storm in so hasty hihihi....Good morning Rike !!!
*struggles to her feet* Who removed the anti-slip mat under the rug in the hallway??????
Flaaaannaaaa?????
*all smiling* Let me just mention "chair behind the door" have you already forgotten?!
*looking angry* Golly, are you mad, could have broken all my paws, you silly billy!!
 Come on Rike, don't be so fuzzy, I know how highly mobile you are, sort of rubber. You always prove it when we're playing together.
*still angry* Duh! And my bones are made of rubber as well or what do you think??!
Alas Rike, don't remember that Mummy even mad a video last Sundays?
Well, you're right. Could share it with our friends also!

Yeah, wasn't much going on last week anyway, Mummy's sitting at her PC and hammering the keyboard. She calls it "working"!
Not really something going on outside also, seams we chased away all the cats successfully- At least they don't show up again.
I don't think we've chased them away, rather believe it's to cold and wet outside for them.
These "self-proclaimed greatest species of all domestic animals" don't like to get wet and prefer to keep their bum in the warmth.
That very well may be Rike, you're older, you might know better!
Speaking of older, you like to tell about the picture mummy received last week??
Sure, that's fine by me!

Here it is!
Lovely, isn't it?
That's my mummy with my dear friend Enya *looking sad* 
Mummy has got it in large now on canvas and now it hangs above the sofa on the wall!
There Enya is watching over us four! 
Gosh Rike, now I really sadden that I've never met Enya. 
Think now I got the November Blues!! 

Well Flanna, there is only one cure, go to mummy, curry favour with her and so cadge something tasty!
Oh yeah Rike, let's do that. And if we look really sweet and melancholy we might even get a bone!
So dear friends, that's all for this week. On Saturday it's December 1st and the advent season begins. We just hope the mummy will start baking cookies....it it is so.... we'll find out.
Till then, have a nice week......

Yours Flanna Neufundi and Rike Neuberner 

© Bea Grein
translation: Detlef Grein

I wanna go there again!!!!!!!!!

Good morning *yaaaawwwwn* my dear friends of the shortbarks!
You have to excuse me, but I’m still a little bit tired this morning.
Our 2leggies are looking for a new hut, relocating they call it!
But Rike gonna tell you more about it next time, because I don’t get it, we got our home here!



Well, there is one good thing about this excursions, you get around and met new friends.
Another nice side effect, at last we’ve been able to go for a swim!!
But first things first.
Last Saturday we’ve been again on a trip to look for a hut, but there was nothing there. Rike and I allready thought, ok let’s go back home then we can go into the garden to stretch our paws.
But after a short ride we stopped again. Oh no, please not another hut now!!!
But this time we were allowed to leave the car as well and our rucksack with all the swimmingstuff was taken out!
We just had to wait for a few minutes and then arrived another dogbuddy with his mum.
Just a quick hello because I wanted to go asap to the water which was already tickling in my nose.

On our way I urgently needed a light refreshment so this little puddle was just right.
I just couldn’t understand why my mum wasn’t thrilled at all.
No Flanna please not in the mud-hole, pleeeaasee!!!
This request was denied, because mud makes you beautiful, so told me Rike!
Or was she kidding again???? *pore*

 As we finally arrived at the Rhine all 3 of us plunged into the flood. And now I had enough time to say Hi to my buddy Bero.
He was a little taller then me, a top swimmer and...........*sigh*.........I think I’ve fallen a little in love.

I called out all my charm, but he took no note-by me, he was, like Rike, only fixed on his swimmingtoy!

He that will not hear must feel, I thought and took, in a moment where he was not looking, his swimmingtoy!

 

This has worked and I finally got the attention that is due to me!







Btw, here you’ll find more pictures: Fun at the Rhine

All in all it was a great afternoon and actually we don’t wanted to leave.
But Rike and I was pretty tired from all that swimming an d playing so we slept most of the way back home.

But one thing was clear and there Rike and I are for once in complege agreement:
We wanna go back there, now!!!!!!!
And Bero also..........*sigh*

Flanna?? Flaaaaannnnaaaa!!!!! Hm,she is absent. Flaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaa!!!

Yes???
Oh, have to say good bye.
Allright, have a nice week and bye bye till the next time

Yours Flanna Neufundi

© Bea Grein
translated by Detlef Grein 

Caught by the silly season (or rainy season?)

Poke, poke Hey mum, listen to me, it’s already Thursday evening and I still haven’t got a clue fort his weeks shortbark!
How comes Rike???
You know, it is supposed to be summer now, but somehow it can’t be true!


Why it can’t be true, we got July now, and July is summer, Rike!
Well, this can indeed be, but we never had so much rain, it’s even too much water for me!
Also there was a certain mum which wanted to take us to the lake for a swim, we haven’t been there until now. You tell us again and again “when the weather will be better we’ll go”! sigh
You’re right Rike, I really wanted to go swimming, but in this weather it’s really no fun!
So a washout mum as they say! That’s why I wanted to ask you if you couldn’t again contribute something to the shortbark! looking lovingly
What are you thinking about, Rike?
Well, how about these special pictures you’ve created?
Rike, I’m not sure if they will really fit in here.
But Flanna and I admire them!!
Pleeeeeaaaaaaaaaassssse mum! Looking even lovelier
Aaaallll right!
Ok then, here you could see a view samples of them. And if You like them you might wanna watch the rest in my virtual gallery  gallery entrance

Once more, this is he way to the other pictures    gallery entrance

Next week Flanna will be back with you again and I’m shure that this chatterbox will have much more to talk about, till then

Yours Rike Neuberner

© Bea Grein
translated by Detlef Grein

Megalomania and a lawnmonster

Hello my dear friends, greet you all!
I've heard that some of us dislike the variety of 2leggies who call themselves postman!
So as far as I’m concerned this is definitely not the case!!!
He was here again this week and has delivered a huge parcel that was obviously for us!

I immediately smelled that there is something eatable in it.


Mum and the postman then lifted the package from his van in the garden.

Must have been probably quite heavy. So clearly a looooooooot of tasty grub food in it!! Come on mum, stop chatting now. He has more to do, and you better open the box NOW, otherwise I'll do it yourself!

That humans always have to talk so much. Well, the postman is excused. He got a dogbuddy himself, that makes him more likeable!
Mum then finally opened the box. Unfortunately, there were, to my disappointment, only 2 large bags inside.
Mum just said: "That’s Your "Guteli" (Food)!"
For goodness sake, we can smell that. Just open the bag!!!!

But mum was then unmerciful and carried the bags with groaning into the house and dragged the box over to the green buddy!
Next to it stands his big brother and he is blue!
No no no, your not gonna feed the Big Blue with that box!
He's much too valuable and I've already got an idea what you can do with it.
So I curtly caught it and carried it off!
This box was so huge that I could place myself into it.


Mum looked rather surprised when she returned to the garden and the box has disappeared.
I then indicated to her that she could turn this into a goodies-game-box!
For your explanation: This is a box stuffed with a lot goodies and paper, then taped up and a few holes are cut in! We can then shred it to reach all that goodies. That’s a hell of fun!
Such a thing I wanted to get made out of MY box!
What comes from my mum?
"Flanna, you’re suffering from megalomania!" said so and the box still returned into the big Blue!
Butt hat wasn’t even the only scandal of the day! sigh
Soon my master returned home he took a rather greedy monster out of the shed.
I think it has to be fed once a week with grass, I just wonder why?
It’s in the shed the whole time and is doing nothing!

This thing gobble up all the grass, but if I just take a mouthful of it, it instantly sounds "Flanna Taboo!!!"
That’s mean, yup it is!
So I dragged at the leash which was fitted at it and the monster stopped guzzling.
But master just  fixed it and the monster continued with the nosh-up.
Seems that it only eats at the leash.
Believe me, I gave everything! I’ve hunted it, I barked and growled, nothing helped!!

Finally, as a last resort, I’ve done something I normally would never ever do!
Well, at home in the garden I mean.
I just wanted to rescue at leas the last bit of the lawn from that monster, so I just made a hump and placed a stinky sausage!
Huh, it works, master stopped to walk behind the monster. Victory!!!
Um master, what are your doing now???
Master just took a black cracklething and picked up my sausage!


It sounded even meant in my direction: " Flanna could you not do that on the short part???"
Well, and You could imagine what happened then, that monster ate even the last bit!!!
Only Rike was extremely thrilled. allegedly because her ball is now rolling better again! She waffled something about a neat football pitch!!
Well and this she has to explain now to me, that why I say bye-bye now till next time.

Yours Flanna Neufundi

© Bea Grein

translated by Detlef Grein