Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Do you all still remember me?

Chief said you would, but I’m not sure,.. for all the new people; I’m Pom, short for Pompom (but nobody calls me that). I’m the very first Dawn & Dusk dog!!

I used to tell you about myself every few weeks or so, but ever since we moved, Chief said she has been very busy and hasn’t had time to write down my stories.

Personally, I think she just forgot. 

But she told me it’s really important I let you all know how I’m doing, with Tiny Babe gone,..after all, we’ve been roommates for 2 1/12 years! We moved together from our barn to our room in Chief’s house and spent all our time together. My cuddlers always said we were like a grumpy old married couple; always bickering, but used to being together and keeping each other company nonetheless.

Well, let me reassure you; I’m ok! Us dogs, we experience death very differently than you humans. We don’t really think about it that much,. we can miss our buddies, if we’re really good friends, but we adapt quickly, especially if you humans make sure our routine isn’t changed that much. We do hate to see you sad though, and we can feel a bit unsafe and insecure and cuddle up with you a bit more. We need to know you still love us, even though you’re acting a bit strange!

I think Chief was sad about Tiny, and so was our favorite cuddler, the one that comes especially for us,.. but everybody is making sure I get plenty of attention, and walks and treats, so life as usual really! Chief says our cuddler will come for me only from now on, that makes me really happy! I didn’t really like sharing her attention, to be honest,.

Got to go back to sleep now, I’ve had a busy day and I’m no spring chicken, Chief says. I’ll get back to you another time, to tell you more about our new place. Bye for now!

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Yippee Yayy!! It’s cold and frosty and dry outside!! It makes me want to run around and bounce up and down!! And bark at all the other dogs!!

I don’t like rain and mud, but this is so cool!! The lady who brought me here once, a long time ago, visited me and she was surprised to see me running around like that, at my age,.?! What age, what does she mean? I am a big strong dog, of course I can run around barking! It was nice having a cuddle with her though.

There was another lady too, Chief said she was there to take pictures of us*, to make us famous! I’m already famous, though, aren’t I? Many people know about me, Chief says! I’m really glad some people come to see me and walk me and cuddle me; they’re my favourite people really. But it’s nice that others know me too, I guess that’s why I tell you about my life, so you know I exist!

Meanwhile, all the others here are enjoying the cold weather too. We all get lots of extra food that smells fishy** and we’re nice and chubby, so we’re not cold! We all have our dens and our warm red lights and some of us get an extra coat. Not me, I don’t need one; I have my own lovely scruffy coat! Though not too long ago, I saw Chief looking at me with that look in her eyes, that look that says “Hmmm, you could do with a brush,..” I might just let her this time, I don’t mind so much anymore, as long as there’s someone that holds me. The attention is actually kind of nice. Don’t tell anybody I said that though; they might think they can all touch me with that horrible thing. Chief may do it, not because she’s the boss ( I am my own boss!!) but because I’m used to it now and I know it won’t hurt.

You might wonder why I call her Chief then, if she’s not the boss? Don’t know really, it seems right, as she brings me my food twice a day, she’s always around and keeps us all safe. She never tells us what to do, just looks after us, and that makes me want to call her that. 

* Pom means Lynn Emery, a brilliant photographer who was kind enough to take pictures of all the D&D dogs! Soon, we will have a calendar available with all these amazing photos!! 

** What Pom is smelling is the salmon oil we add to the dogs’ food for extra fat and taste

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

And he has some exciting news!

Ohhh, really?? Can I tell, can I tell??

“Yes, Pom, you can tell the whole world now, buddy! You are our first D&D dog, you should be the one to do it!”

Ok, no idea what the world is, but I don’t care, I will just say it,..

We are moving to a new place!!

Actually, I have no idea what that means either, but you seem very excited about it, Chief?!

“I’m over the moon, Pommie, as it means we will be able to give you all an even better life!”

Better than this? How is that possible? We have all we need; walks, warm beds, company, good food, chews, cuddles,.

“Yes, dear Pom, my little friend, you and Titi have a whole barn to live in, but since the two of you are not exactly the ‘sharing type’, the big dogs live on the other side and have a lot less indoor space! I think they would also like to have their own big space and an even bigger field to play in!”

Hmm, not sure why that is important Chief, but if you say so,..

Will I still be the most important dog and get more cuddles than everybody else?

“Of course!!! We will create a special place for you and Titi, so you will be close to me and all your cuddlers and you will have lots of fun in all the new fields to explore!”

Ok, that sounds nice,.

I guess as long as everybody comes with us, and I have Tiny and my own bed, it could be a really nice adventure!

Speaking of beds, I’ll think I’ll go and have a nap now. All this excitement is a bit tiring at my age.

“That’s ok Pom, and don’t worry, we’ll take our time and make sure you all get used to your new home gradually!”

Love you, Chief!

“Love you too little buddy, glad you’re here with us!!”

More details on our impending move will be posted in our facebook group in a few days time!

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

The indignity…how dare they!!

It’s bad enough when the Chief puts me on a table and comes at me with the horror thing, that brush,.and whatever else she does to take away my scruffy-ness, but to let a total stranger touch me, look in my ears and stick me with a needle, honestly,.. I have no words for it,.

But, I endured this treatment like the big strong man I am and didn’t even flinch! I just pretended I didn’t care and ignored it all. How cool am I?!

I did get loads of treats and cuddles afterwards, so I guess it wasn’t that bad after all.

I saw them do the same thing to Tiny and the boys from the other side; that was actually kinda fun to watch!

Oh, and we have a new family member!! So exciting!! It’s a girl, or at least I think it is,. She big and bossy and so tough!!!

She’s living on the other side, but I wish she lived with me, I would make her fall in looooove with me,.. What do those boys on the other side know about girls, not nearly as much as me. I could teach them a thing or two about charming girls.

On the other hand, it would be a bit tiring too; might not have time for my naps if I had to impress a girl. Oh well, I get to sniff her across the fence, that’s nice too.

The wobbly babies are still here too, I can see them run and play in White Fluffy’s garden. Getting a bit full here! But I guess as long I have the whole barn to myself, with Tiny Babe, of course, I don’t mind.

There’s still the Big Change coming, but Chief says I can’t tell yet. Maybe next time?

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Noooo, the heat is back!! When will it end? It was so nice when it was a bit cooler,.

Chief says it will change soon, but what is soon? What does that mean? I only know now, and it’s too hot for me now!

Oh well.

Fortunately, there is some distraction. I have seen two very strange newbies in the big field. I think they’re babies, though not tiny ones. But they move funny! What’s that about?? Isn’t anybody normal here? 

I swear, this place is becoming a nut-house! There’s the scaredy cat with his green eye, the food obsessed black barky one, the silly collie that tries to herd puppies, the bitchy one with her weirdo kids that turn in circles and now this! Good thing I’m completely normal and sane,..and Tiny is ok too, though she’s feisty.

Chief says we shouldn’t mind; everybody is welcome here, and the humans love us all!

That’s good to know.

There’s also talk about a Big Change coming.

Hmmm, wonder what that is? I don’t care for change; I like things the way they are.

I guess it will be ok, whatever it is, as long as the cuddlers and the Chief are there and we all stay together.

I’ll keep you posted and let you know more about it as soon as I find out!

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Yayyyyy!! It’s nice and chilly and wet outside!! 

We can go outside and have a stroll and sniff and it won’t be hot and horrible! 

For weeks, we have been hanging out in our barn, Tiny and me, with the big blowy thing to keep us cool. We’ve even had to wear those wet and cold things that are not very nice to put on, but wonderfully cool once you get used to it..

Still, we had lots of cuddlers around and we did go on short walks in the morning.  The rest of the day we spent napping or chewing or looking for treats in bags filled with all kinds of stuff. The heat made us tired, we’re no spring chickens after all.

But today is a great day! I don’t mind the rain, I’m just glad to be outside again!

This is me with one of my best friends, who comes often to walk us and she also does lots of other things for us; like making us beds to sleep on.

Chief says she also makes sure we always have plenty of really yummie food, by getting people together to do fun things? Not sure how that works, but I think it was like when Chief and I went to the place with all the people.*  How that gets me chews and bones and food, I have no idea, isn’t it always just there? In the large bin on the table, I think. Hmmm, don’t really get it.

Anyway, all good here, everybody survived the heat and we’re all very happy with the nice cool weather!

* Pom means our Quiz night, one of the amazing events that Gillian and the rest of our team organise as fundraisers.

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Hello my friends and cuddlers!

Not sure how many of you there are, actually. I know there are several cuddlers and walkers; I go for a walk nearly every day! All the others too, I can see them pass through my field, but they put me behind a gate when that happens,.. such a shame, I would looooove to show those big boys from the other side how I feel about them being in my territory! Maybe someday I’ll get the chance, maybe someone will forget to close the gate?

Our outside has changed a lot by the way,. it was a bit of a jungle, which was nice because there was a lot of shade and fun paths to follow, and many different smells. But now it’s all open and there’s so much space again! Bit warmer, but we’re so lucky, it hasn’t been super-hot! We can have a stroll outside, Tiny and me, sniff everywhere, go to the outside doghouse or walk in the shade of the trees. Treats always seem to pop up in new spots, so worth doing some exploring.

Apart from that, life has been pretty quiet. Our barn is very comfy, not too warm and not too cold. I spend most of the time on my own sofa, snoozing.

Maybe I’ll have more to tell next time, though I’m happy life is simple, and good,…

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

I’ve been told off,.. it’s been months they say, months, since I last let you all know how I’m doing!

Months. What does that mean? We don’t really understand time, us dogs,. but it must be long if people started worrying about me (sorry about that!)

I guess I’ve been a bit lazy, hanging out on the terrace and enjoying the coolness of our barn.

Let’s see, what’s new,..

Oh yes! I almost forgot, because it was ages ago; I went on a huge adventure,.

Chief took me with her in the car and we went to a place, so big, never seen anything so big! And people, people everywhere! Didn’t know so many people exist,.

It was a bit overwhelming, but then I recognised some of them, they were my cuddlers! That made me feel lots better, because cuddlers mean good things. 

Chief was there all the time too, so I decided to just chill and trust that all was well. 

Secretly, I was glad when we went back home though; I like to be in a familiar place, where I know all the smells and sounds and where my bed is and when the food comes and all of that. I was tired for about two days after that trip. 

Back home, everything is the way it should be, nice and comfortable and safe. I get my food on time (when I’m hungry), I get walked and cuddled and have lots of nice places to have a nap. Oh, and the chews and bones, I love those! And all the games, looking for treats in bags and in the basket full of balls, after every meal! I eat in my crate and then when I’m let out, I run to the basket, find the treats, then move on to the others; in the corners of the sofa and on all the beds! So much fun! And always the same, so I know what’s coming,. When I was younger, it was ok if things changed a bit every now and then, but I don’t like that anymore now.

All the others seem to be well also; the boys next door are chilled, the bitchy one I can’t see, with the mongrels, she sounds ok. Big white Fluffy seems to have a new member in his pack. She was a bit noisy at first, but getting better.

My cuddlers have been great, coming almost every day and taking me for walks. We don’t walk far, but I get to sniff everywhere and decide where I want to go.

Oh, and Chief did it again,. with her noisy machine and scissors and nail clippers. I can’t even be bothered to protest anymore. Might as well let her, no use fighting. I do seem to feel a bit lighter afterwards, and I can see a bit better without the hair in front of my eyes.

All in all, can’t complain, things are good! I’ll try to be better, let you know how I am, but can’t make any promises, as it’s getting hotter again,.

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Phew, I’m exhausted!

Been really busy protecting our field against the monster that was trying to take over; going up and down and leaving its tracks everywhere!

It makes a horrible noise and smells really bad. Chief was on one side of it, trying to push it away, and I made sure to stop it from the other side, but it just kept on moving, Grrrrr,.. 

I don’t like that kind of noise, it’s not natural!

I know, there are a lot of things I don’t like; anybody touching my food, cats and chickens, and boy dogs, and noisy monsters and most of all; being brushed,.. but that’s just who I am and Chief says I’m allowed to be who I am. I am a Dog, I have my instincts and I do not have to suppress them, she says. 

It’s hard enough being a dog in the people world; we have to fit into your lives, be clean in a house, accept that we can’t wander, can’t chew on things, roll in yummy stuff, dig holes, hunt, chase or fight, have pups to look after or anything else that makes us Dogs. We have to obey commands, walk on a lead, accompany you to noisy, busy places or stay home alone, none of which comes naturally to us. We adapt because most of you look after us; keep us safe, feed us, and make us feel like we belong,.but please don’t forget it is hard, sometimes, for us! Please allow us our instincts, our voice, and our need to run free, in nature. we are all different, but we all need space to be ourselves, so please, can you also adapt to us and love us the way we are?

But, back to me. I’m happy being where I am, though I’ld like to see more of Chief. I know there are a lot of us though, so she can’t be with me all the time.

I’m really glad I’ve got my cuddlers too, but they can only come in the mornings, because we have a ‘grumpy neighbour’, Chief says. What’s a grumpy neighbour? Can’t be good if it means my cuddlers can’t see me? I know the boys next door bark a bit when they arrive, but that’s not all the time, so why is he grumpy? Another thing that’s hard to understand, I guess,.

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

I’ve been tricked, cheated!! 

Bloody Chief and her accomplice. First, they make me think all is well; you know, take me for a nice walk, give me lots of sausage, cuddles, but then,

THEN!!, before I knew it, I had the stupid thing around my mouth and I get picked up and put on the table! I know what that table means, it means No Good!!

I don’t have to tell you what happened next, I’m sure you know,.. they took away my fluffy-ness!! 

Though, to be honest, it wasn’t as bad as the last time. Sure, I hate being brushed and whatever else they did with all their tools, but I have to admit; I feel a bit lighter and cooler. I was really angry with them for a bit, showing them all my impressive big teeth, but actually, I don’t think I would have hurt them, well, not a lot anyway.

Good thing I don’t hold a grudge either, so we’re ok again, Chief and me! We played a little afterwards, I love it when I get to be wild and jump and bite her hands!! Then I got a big stuffed bone, so I was over the whole thing pretty quickly.

Oh, and did you hear??? There are babies again! Saw them through the window! Not sure what they’re supposed to be, they look like little mice! I just love babies. hope I’ll get to sniff them sometime.

And you know what, I turned today into a fun day anyway, hahaha, I managed to sneak out while one of my cuddlers (my favourite actually) went through the gate! Woooooowwwww, that was so much fun, chickens!! Chickens everywhere, I didn’t even know where to start! Tried to chase all of them at once, but they were too fast for me. and so was Chief, don’t know how she got there so quickly? I was happy to see her anyway, so just went with her back inside. Got a huge cuddle and a chew for that, so it was the right choice, I guess! 

Really tired now, so much excitement in one day! I think I’ll sleep well tonight,..