We had a minor change of plan and decided to go to the dunes instead. Just a 10 minute walk so not too bad for little puppy legs and SOOOOO much fun!!! So here are a few piccies and a quick video:
New smell! We had to be careful to make sure she stayed away from other dog poo though… still need one more injection!
Kangaroo dog 
The stick must DIE!
Love this picture
Freya must have more toys than most 2 year old children, however yesterday we discovered the best toy EVER is… an empty coke bottle!
She also sat and watched a nature program with me last night and could not figure out where the wolves howling was coming from. Then there were yummy elk on screen which got this reaction:
Today we are going to explore the second hand shops, so first time on a tram for the little monster… this should be interesting. I’ve also discovered that whenever you take her out, everybody seems to have dog treats about their person!
Well, two weeks tomorrow but pretty much the same.
She is being so good and I already can’t imagine life without her. In fact last night I had a horrible nightmare that she got killed in a bar fight (don’t ask, my head gives me weird dreams), it was awful! She is so settled in now and we’re really starting to see her personality now, she is such a loving little dog with a hilarious naughty streak – although I’m not sure that George the Plant would agree on the hilarious part, he’s starting to look a little bald around the bottom.
Training wise, we are still having a few accidents sometimes, but we are nearly there. And she is now sleeping in her crate in the living room all night perfectly. She sits to wait for her food, for her toys and to go in and out through the door. We’ve also been working on some lead walking in preparation for when she can go on walks which is going really nicely. I’m dying to get her out to the dunes and beach but we need to wait a couple more weeks for that. She has been going outside in our arms to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the big wide world and did her first ever bus ride the other day! No travel sickness but it was a little scary, hugs with Daddy were required!
I can’t believe how big she’s getting either. The little jumper I made for her now looks like it was made for a doll compared to her! I do have a bigger jacket ready for her but that is still a little large. Luckily the weather has turned really nice here so it shouldn’t be needed.
She has also been getting used to meeting people and making friends. She has not once barked at anything outside or the doorbell which is a relief given where we live! And last weekend we had Sander’s sister, Annemarie, and her husband (also called Sander just to confuse things) and little Jurre round for dinner which was brilliant. They also brought Ziva, their labrador who was a little scary to start with, but then GREAT fun to play with!
Sander and 3 content babies
I also go to help give Jurre a bath, and teased him that as a teenager these photos would come back to haunt him
And then sleepy cuddles with mummy
And we’ve are learning about Freya’s mad moments, including that if you blow in her face she tries to kill you with kisses!! We did have a few days where she was getting a little too bitey, but that is sorted now although she did accidentally catch me yesterday when excited. A small video here of us playing, unfortunately I was too slow with the camera to get the wall of death that occurred about 5 minutes prior to this. This involves leaping from the couch (well, the loaned futon that is substituting till the couch gets here in a couple of weeks… don’t ask, we ordered it at the end of November!!) and then on to the mat and back again as fast as possible! Very exciting for puppy and very funny for humans.
Yesterday Freya wanted to go shopping, so Sander turned her into a ‘designer dog’! She was not impressed and demanded to be let back onto the floor to be a real dog again
And last but not least…. Sander and Freya this morning!!! Yes Sander is asleep and no, this did not wake him up!
Freya is doing really well. On Thursday she was 9 weeks old which meant leaving the house to go to the vet! She was a very good girl and took it all in her stride. No whining or complaining, she just thought all these dogs and cats were fascinating! She complained a bit at having a needle stuck into her but don’t we all. She weighed in at 3.7kg which is a good weight and got a clean bill of health from the vet. Plus all the vet assistants had to come and have a cuddle (great for her socialisation).
We have started working on her training and ‘sit’ is now just about sorted. As long as she isn’t too hyper as then selective deafness kicks and everything is far too exciting to actually concentrate. But using a toy to ask for the sit, then a play, is working well. We are also working on ‘down’ and ‘stand’ which are getting there but are a bit more difficult. AND we’ve been practicing walking on the lead. A lot for a small pup to take in so we never do more than about 5 minutes at a time. Here’s a quick video of her training
We have also been having the compulsory cuddles, which I think I’m more addicted to than her!
Watching Dogs 101 with me
Just looking gorgeous!
Luckily the cat, Vala, never really used the bottom of her scratching post. It has now been claimed as Freya’s. Although she won’t fit in there for very much longer!
My favourite thing in the whole wide world!
And a couple of non-doggy pictures. This is a close up of one of my Valentine’s roses, which has weirdly come out pink, but they are actually red!
The current ‘gardening’ projects. Some sunflowers (being held upright by some pens!) and our mini herb garden.
And last but not least, my MasterChef challenge for tonight. With these ingredients selected by Sander, I need to make a meal! The list of ingredients is:
Lamb Steak
Sambal
Carrots
Rosemary
Cream cheese with ginger
Spinach tortellini
Wish me luck!!
Last night was Freya’s first night in the crate and I’m really pleased with how well she coped. We had her close enough so she could still see and smell us and there was quite a bit of whining to start with but after 15-20 minutes she settled down and went to sleep! Considering I was expecting a LOT longer than that I am really happy. She woke up at 3 and asked to be let out and then again at 7… so far no accidents at night (touch wood)! We have had a few daytime accidents, but that is purely down to our own vigilence. I’m now starting to get used to her timings and warnings so we are getting there, plus she has now figured out if she runs to the back door and looks at it she goes out and this at only 9 weeks old!
I think we also have a digger on our hands! Not that there is anything to dig here, but the big mat she has by the radiator is great for practicing digging on. I’m just thankful we didn’t spend too much on it as I think it’s going to be destroyed in about a month! But so far, all chewing/digging has been directed at her own toys and our stuff has remained safe… with the exception of kitchen roll. She managed to get her paws on a piece yesterday and killing one of those is possible the most fun a puppy can have!
Yesterday was a day of firsts! First night in the crate and also her first time in a ‘jumper’. The lovely people on The Whippet Forum made an excellent suggestion which was to make one out of an old large jumper sleeve. It worked fantastically! OK, it isn’t very neat and tidy but I’ve not exactly been known for my sewing skills!! And it does the job as she really does feel the cold.
Freya and Vala are also starting to get on really well. Vala was actually engaging Freya in play yesterday (though I was too slow with my camera, typical) but if the play gets a bit rough then Vala bails rather quickly! But I did get a short video of them together. Plus Freya showing her recall!
And here are a few more pictures, just because she’s gorgeous!
Mid-way through making her jumper.
And on a non dog related note, yesterday was of course Valentine’s Day and Sander truly outdid himself! Here are my pressies 
The necklace is the chinese symbol for happiness – which ties into what he wrote in the card (but that will stay between the two of us) It also meant a lot, as I lost my favourite pendant at a party just before Christmas so he knew that I wanted another nice necklace. Needless to say, I love it!
Tomorrow is another big day… the vet!! 2pm she goes in for her second set of vaccinations and a check up so the plan is to make it as stress free as possible.
Well, we have had a very exciting couple of days! Sunday morning we woke bright and early with me about as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. Sander’s parents had very kindly lent us their car to go and pick up Freya so we set off with plenty of time and arrived at Annemarie and Martin’s house bang on time. We were greeted by only 5 puppies as 3 had already gone to their new homes, not that their brothers and sisters seemed to be bothered as judging by the sounds they were too busy trying to kill each other! After picking up our puppy packs and blanket and bed and collar (Annemarie really has spoilt her puppies’ new owners) and sorting out the paper work we headed back home. There was a lot of whining and howling to start with but once we hit the highway she settled down and fell asleep on Daddy’s lap.
Once home everything seemed a little bit scary:
But then the nosy side came out!
And she started to play which really helped. As soon as she realised what good fun we could be she started relaxing.
Once the house was thoroughly investigated she decided it was home and started ruling the roost!
And here are some that are just too cute to leave out!
Daddy’s got my ear!!
This is one of my favourites so far
And all that excitement is very tiring!
And last but not least, here is a video of her going a little bonkers… and making me laugh, which she’s basically done none stop!
I just got a call from our puppy’s breeders… we know which one we’re getting!! It is the little orange girl – the one I was hoping for!! Very very exciting, I can’t stop grinning right now. So in 2 weeks today, this little bundle of fun is going to join the family:
Meet Freya
Biting my nose!!
Puppy paws!!!
And I know I’ve posted this one before, but it’s SO cute!!
And a video of me being mobbed by puppies last time we went to visit.
This blog was originally created to relay the ups and downs of horse ownership. Since I got rid of Penny the blog has been very quiet. However…. there will be a new addition to our little family in two weeks – a little whippet puppy!!! Before I start talking about her through, a quick run through of where things stand at the moment as I’ve been so lax in updating this.
I’m still living in Den Haag but have moved in with my boyfriend Sander to a new apartment about 20 minutes from the centre of the city. We have also been joined by Vala (yes, as in the Stargate SG1 character) our kitty who came from the rescue shelter and has just turned 1.
Here she is being abused my her mummy by being made to wear tinsel for Christmas!
And her first time exploring our back garden/yard
So with one animal in-situ, the little bundle of torpedo like fun will be coming home on 12 February. We have been to visit the puppies a couple of times and will find out which one will be ours this weekend (we are 7th on the list and there are 8 puppies), but they are all adorable and fantastic quality. The breeders have done a wonderful job breeding and raising them. So here are a few pictures from our second visit:
Squishy puppy!!
“Get your feet out of my face!!” The joys of sisters (the litter is 6 girls and 2 boys).
The pup with the light green cord might be ours
Kate’s jumper makes an excellent tug toy! This little girl is also a possibility for us.
And little purple one with me (another possibility for us).
And Sander having puppy cuddles. I do love this little girl… trying not to get my hopes up as to which pup we get until we hear this weekend, but it’s very difficult!
This weekend is the last week of puppy shopping. We have most things (or are waiting for them to come through the post) but still need a baby gate to keep pup contained where I can see her!
Spoilt girl! There are another 5 toys on their way in the post!!
And last but most certainly not least, my ickle sister Sally is coming next week with her boyfriend, Will, as a birthday treat! Very much looking forward to it and I haven’t seen Sally in ages, think it was Mum’s wedding a year and a half ago!!
Will keep you all updated on our progress… we will have a lot of learn but that’s all part of the fun!
Have a look at these pictures from the Dog Photographer of the Year competition. I can’t decide which is my favourite as they are all fantastic, but the springer spaniel did make me laugh!!
You know you’ve been in the Netherlands too long when….
I have copied this list from elsewhere but I found a LOT of these to be very true!! Though there is no way in hell I will ever like dropjes!!
1. You have a bike
2. You even know how to brake using retropedaling
3. Walking from your faculty to the cafeteria has become unimaginable. You take your bike, even if it’s for 50meters
4. Eating 7 slides of bread for lunch doesn’t scare you anymore
5. By the way, you stopped eating warm lunch. You just eat bread
6. You know what a kroket is, and you learned to avoid the orange ones
7. It doesn’t surprise you anymore to eat at 18:30
8. You drink beer
9. You got used to trance and electro music
10. You don’t cheat on the train, because controllers are EVERYWHERE
11. When the cafeteria is crowed, you line up neately with the others
12. You used to use cash all the time, but now you have a pin card
13. You think ducks are cute
14. As soon as the sun pops out, you make a barbecue, even if it’s 10°C outside
15. You think 15°C is warm
16. You know winter stops in May, and not March as everywhere else
17. You don’t remember what a moutain looks like
18. You still don’t know how to speak Dutch. But your English has improved
19. You know what Surinam is. And where it is
20. You never go out without your bike lights
21. You think butter in a bottle is normal
22. You know that all the guys are in Delft. And the girls, everywhere else, especially Leiden
23. You go to Leiden on saturday
24. You’ve been to a flower park, and thought it was cool
25. You’re ok with having only one flavour of ice cream (the white ones)
26. You don’t even bother to ask “do you speak English?”, you just speak English right away
27. When you go to the cinema, you are ok with being told where to sit
28. And you wouldn’t dare sit anywhere else
29. You have finally accepted the fact that Gouda is cheese
30. Paying 6€ for a meal in the cafeteria seems normal
31. You know how to repair a bike
32. You eat potatoes at least once a day
33. You always check the weather before leaving home
34. You know what it is being late and having to wait for a boat to cross the bridge
35. You can drink milk at any time of the day
36. Sometimes, you only drink milk as lunch
37. You have tried karnemelk at least once
38. You start liking dropjes
39. For you something sweet means straubwaffels
40. Spring means flowers blooming and construction sites opening up all over the place
41. Being tall gets a new meaning
42. Blonde is back to being a hair-color, not a concept
43. you have 4 seasons in one day
44. you can start a mail to your teacher who happens to be a doctor by “yo, wassup doc” (exaggeration can get the message through)
45. You think that paying to use the toilets is normal.
46. You know that kapsalon is not a typical turkish dish, but a hairdresser
47. You start to think that the strange position of the hole in the WC is not that disgusting
48. You find it easier to find a good joint that a good coffee
49. You have the AH bonus card
50. Your windows have no curtains, and you don’t care
51. If your windows have curtains, you don’t use them, and just don’t care who might be looking at you
52. For you, light rain is not rain
53. Professors write a “well done” comment in your assignment and still grade you with a 6
54. You can drink beer in the cinema (good)
55. 10°C is warm enough to wear a short or mini skirt
56. You can ride your bike in the rain, wind and even snow
57. guys are very cute
58. you can ride your bike wearing skirt (if you’re a girl), a suit or even high heels (if you’re a girl)
59. When you start having strong opinion even if you vaguely know the topic
60. When you “wash” the dishes with soap without rincing them
61. “alstublieft and dank u wel” are the only dutch words you know
62. You aren’t surprised anymore that the disco closes at 4 (but it still pisses you off)
63. You learn to bike without using your hands on the handle
64. You go to the market and you only buy the stuffs that fit in you bike
65. Riding a bike and driking coffee/smoking/eating lunch at the same time is not a problem any more
66. You reformulate the saying “if you drink, don’t drive” by “if you drink, don’t ride”
67. You’ve been asked where the coffeeshop is
68. You start wearing orange during soccer events, even when you’re not dutch
69. You get used not to use napkins when eating. You just eat dirtily.
70. You know what GVD stands for
71. You can never predict the weather and can not believe the weather forecast anymore
72. You wait for the light to go green before crossing the street, even if there is no car
73. You sometimes eat only with a spoon
74. You tried fried fish from the caravans at least once
75. You clap the lecturer (just because he’s been speaking for 2 hours)
76. You run to Albert Heijn at 21.55 to get some beer for the party that night
77. Trees planted in straight rows/ aka the forest/ seems normal
78. You think you understand why they don’t serve coffee at coffeeshops (but you’re not sure yet)
79. You steal a bike at the station because the night before someone stole yours
80. You think it is okay to eat multicoloured sprinkels on bread for breakfast
81. You use 9292ov.nl to go to the supermarket
82. You know that the wind blows in your face regardless of the direction in which you are biking
83. You don’t even try to park in an unauthorised area just to ‘pick something up in 5min’, because you know you will get a ticket in 30secondes
84. When you move out of your appartment, you know you might have to take the floors with you
85. Stepping in doggiepoo on the sideawalk becomes almost a daily thing
86. You end up eating super greasy food at 5am at FEBO or ALEV (Delft)
87. And after that, you manage to bike home still completely wasted and go to class at 8:45
88. You need an appointement to talk with your friends. Or your mother.
89. You enjoy making tourists jump off the bike path
90. You paid more for the lock of your bike than for the bike itselft
91. Real bread? You’ve made your peace with it. It doesn’t exist
92. You know that the Netherlands doesn’t have a special dish. They just fry everything
93. You know getting a couch will be difficult because it doesn’t fit through the door. Windows maybe?
94. You’re ok spending Queen’s Day in the train because people are walking on the rails
95. Yap, Joost and Jeroen are the names of most of the Dutch guys you know
96. when the sun pops up all your Dutch friends are wearing beach flip flops
97. Dutch people ask you why don’t you speak Dutch?
98. You still don’t speak Dutch but watch silly Dutch TV shows like Take me out and Single
99. You have been in a relationship with at least one Dutch person
100. You are used to people bumping into you abruptly on the street, yet never saying sorry
