DoberBat in Bed

How to caption this one... "Sleeping Beauty"? "Sleeping Doberbeauty"? "Sleeping Doberbat"? Or simply "Doberbat in Bed"?

Growing Up - Doberman Style

Everybody loves puppies.  It's that simple.  Even people who don't really like dogs, love puppies. The problem for the latter is that puppies don't last forever.  At some point your cute little four-legged friend may well develop into a gigantic, sofa-hogging drooler/snorer.  Of course it depends on what type of dog you have.  If you find yourself with an adorable mongrel puppy then it's simply pot luck as to how much of the sofa you lose in years to come.  If you go for a pure-breed then at least you have an idea of what's to come in the future, but in reality nothing can prepare you for the seemingly overnight growth with larger breeds.

When we got Sam, he was about the same size as a cat. Our Italian neighbour used to call him "Patatino" for the first few months, which would probably translate as "little potato".  But by the time he was 8 or 9 months old, the first faces of fear started to appear as we walked him through the local markets. After his first birthday the dobermuscles developed and people stopped approaching him altogether. This despite having unusually floppy ears for a doberman and a full, constantly wagging tail!  By his second birthday only doggy enthusiasts looked at him the same way as everyone else when he was a puppy and it's a real shame, because when it's your dog, you know that even with 45kg difference, he's still the same puppy! :)

Sam & Co. on Facebook at, Twelve Hairy Legs

Huskies & Alcohol

Last summer a friend mentioned that his husky was somewhat of a four-legged alcoholic in as much as whenever he opened a beer, his hairy companion would react in a similar manner to that of a fat child in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.  At the time I thought he was exaggerating but after thorough sniff tests involving my own blue-eyed little lady and various beers, it's been confirmed that huskies are in fact, four-legged, potential alcoholics.

Actual drinking might not be allowed but then who needs it when just a sniff sends you cross-eyed.  Although in saying that, a pot of yoghurt can have the same effect!

More Husky antics at, Twelve Hairy Legs

Just Because I'm Hairy, Doesn't Mean I'm Warm

It's that time of year again where doubling up on your underwear becomes a serious consideration as the mercury steadily drops. Maybe you glance enviously at your canine companion's all-season furry attire?  One suit for the whole year, cool in the summer, warm in the winter, or at least in theory.  Our doberman, Sam, became acclimatised to long hot Italian summers and when the temperature begins to dip, he looks for the warmest places possible.  Sometimes in front of the fire, sometimes on the sofa, or usually he just makes his way to Mischa's bed and uses her as a kind of German Shepherd pillow/blanket.  At first she was a little sceptical but over time they seem to have come to a mutually cosy understanding...