Veronica is in a very good mood. Today, her Stockholm BFF arrives with her daughter, who happens to be Veronica’s Goddaughter.
Apparently they are dog people. (Which is all that matters to me).
They own an adorable (Veronica’s words) Schapendoes named Hippie. Veronica told me we’d get along: That is, Hippie and I.
This might well be, but honestly who does she think she is? A friendship matchmaker? I, and I only, am the one to pick my friends (no offence Hippie).
I love airports! Full of cool people, I do, however, feel a little disappointed. I’ve tried to make contact with everyone that passes.
Wagging my tail, jumping around, making all sorts of “Please come and say hello” noises. Do these people stop by? No! They just behave like I’m invisible.
I feel hurt. Yes HURT! Who doesn’t want to say hello to an adorable, happy, Boxer puppy? What’s wrong with them.
Feeling left out, I wait patiently on Veronica’s coat. (No way I’m lying down on that freezing stone floor!)
Hedda and Ulrika are the coolest people ever. We cuddle, and play the whole time.
Ulrika is so sweet and understanding. When Veronica complains that I get too “Wound up” she just smiles and say “Oh, it’s just a pup”.
She’s so zen, lucky Hippie.
Hedda has to work and I keep her company. Nobody says anything about me on the sofa. (By nobody, I mean Veronica).
I was sad to say farewell to these two. Apparently they have to go home to work. (Like that’s more important than being with me).
Please come back soon, my life clearly improves when you’re around. And yes, I will play with Hippie. I’m sure we’ll have a ball.
It’s a fact that everyone needs a great Doctor. It should be a rule. I have the best!
As soon as I arrived at Veronica’s home, she took me to see Dr Luka. She’d made the appointment days (probably weeks) before.
Never mind that I’d JUST been to my breeder’s Vet, and he said I was fine… Apparently Dr Luka is the only one she really trusts.
All the assistants came out to say hello. “Oh the cute puppy” and “She’s adorable” and so on. (I am very cute, I think).
Veronica’s kind of “famous” there, or rather, more like the “neurotic client that calls all the time”. And they knew of THE Felicia.
Dr Luka is very gentle, and at first he cuddled with me so I felt secure, and gave me loads of treats.
Then he examined me.
He said I’m an easy client, I don’t make any fuss.
Veronica on the other hand…that’s a whole other story. She’s embarrassing, asking all sorts of ridiculous questions. You’d think she’d never owned a dog before (I’m her 5th Boxer!).
Is this an age thing?
Dr Luka is so nice and very patient with her, he answers all her questions. Guess he knows the type, and she in particular.
He tells Veronica I am very healthy, well built, with excellent teeth, and a beautiful and very sweet puppy. Duh, I’m an Andreashöhe.
When Dr Luka examines me, I always get to munch on a treat, same with the shots, I’m so busy eating, I don’t feel a thing.
How brave am I!
We have a deal going. I trust him and he gives me treats.
Every appointment starts and ends with a lot of cuddling. He’s always in a good mood. Even the one time we came for nothing…
Such and embarrassing episode that I’m trying very hard to forget!
Veronica had found a small bump on my back and she freaked out: “OMG, Helga has a tumour”.
She immediately called for an appointment. The assistant (A new one, who did not know whom she was dealing with) told her: “He’s very busy and will call you later”.
This did not go down well, at all. “Call? How on earth will he examine a bump on the phone?” She did, however, get an appointment at the end.
Told you, she’s kind of bossy.
As expected it was nothing, just a reaction to the vaccine I got earlier that week. Dr Luka just smiled and said it’s good to come for no reason with a pup , it’s a positive experience.
Not sure about that…I felt mortified.
Much ado about nothing!
I’m probably one of his favourite patients. I mean, I’m irresistible. Veronica…? Well, too late to change her.
My gratitude goes to Dr Gabor Luka for taking such good care of my Boxers. For his patience and availability. My thanks to the wonderful staff.
Eva Bodfäldt is, in my opinion, the most outstanding Dog psychologist/trainer I have worked with, her ideas and views correspond to my vision of life with a dog.
She makes it a fun adventure, full of laughs and humour. She works around our personalities as individuals to form a team, handler and dog, towards a stronger bond and mutual understanding.
This famous, cool (so they say) dog trainer (and Veronica’s friend) Eva Bodfäldt is coming to stay with us. It’s a joint venture, fun, friendship and puppy training.
We’ll see about the fun…for me…I won’t judge until this is over.
To say that Veronica is a fan is an understatement! She’s a groupie! She’s been following Eva’s ideas since 2002, after having read her book. “Kontaktkontraktet” (Follow me”).
That was way before she actually met her. As always, she blabs to everyone, the whole Swiss dog community has probably heard about Eva.
We pick up Eva at the airport. And listen to this: She greeted me first! Yes, THE famous Eva sat on the ground and cuddled with me way before she hugged Veronica! Ha!
Some people know how to prioritise!
We immediately bonded, look at us.
Eva started the training. Short 5 minutes sessions. On the program: the reward system, dog encounters, walking on the leash, tattling… among others.
Turns out I’m not the only pupil here, Veronica needs to learn the tricks of the trade.
I really got into the whole reward system: “Gott”, (Treat), “Bus”, (Fun, Play), “Japp” (Yes, treat thrown) and of course “Bra”, (good):
It’s like a magic box, you never know what’ll come next?
Veronica thinks I have a tendency to get a little “over enthusiastic”, Eva’s “Ryggsäcken” (The back pack), is suppose to calm me.
Veronica takes me between her legs, strokes me gently. Without knowing how I got drowsy, and wanted to sleep…damn that’s efficient. I did not see that coming.
Eva showed Veronica a fun way to manage dog encounters, she made me search for goodies. I was too busy to even think about the dog.
The dog on the other hand, was like “Oh she’s busy, let’s move on”.
Some say tattling is bad behaviour. Not Eva. She actually want us dogs to tattle on anything around us, a dog, a jogger, a horse etc… and what’s more, we get rewarded for it.
Here, I’m telling Veronica “Look, there’s a dog over there by the bench”. I get rewarded from the magic box, “Gott”, “Bus”.?…Who knows…
We have trained coming in for my treat, on the left side, between Veronica’s leg and hand. Apparently it’s preparation for heel work.
I rock!
A walk has become an adventure. Each time I look at Veronica something happens. What will come next?
A bravo, or a treasure hunt?
A little “bus”?
Crazy Veronica dance? It’s so much fun. I’m too busy to keep an eye on Veronica to even think about pulling on the leash.
To wind down Veronica gently strokes me under my chin, and with a “Japp” (a treat flying to the ground) I let go of the toy.
On the tattling front, I’m a master, I’m like a hawk searching for its prey. Ok, Ok, guess that’s a little stretch, but I’m a very promising student.
I thought that training meant being all serious.
When Veronica makes a silly mistake, and trust me, she does. (like tripping on her own feet, or saying “Gott”, when she means “Bus”), you’d think she’d look annoyed.
Oh no, she laughs, about her silliness, what’s more Eva laughs too…Actually there’s a fun, merry atmosphere all along.
Eva and Veronica had decided to go to a cafe in town, with me. Duh, I’m the star here. I have, however, noticed that they talk about a lot of other stuff, not dogs, not even me,
I find that a little unsettling, I think it should be ALL about me!
I love this place. It’s full of people and look at me. I’m the perfect example of “how dogs should behave in cafes”. I’m actually amazed at myself.
Veronica kind of ignores me, she strokes me and every once and a while a treat is dropped in front of my nose.
At the end of the day, I’m exhausted, (Veronica too I think). Challenging our intellect is tiring. Don’t get me wrong, I love the training.
Can’t wait to get back out there for more.
Alas the days pass too quickly and it’s time to say farewell. I love Eva, she’s the best. Training with her is like a fun, magic, treasure hunt.
Veronica is right, Eva is wonderful, amazing, sweet, funny…oh oh… Yeah, no point beating around the bush…it’s official;
I’m an Eva Bodfäldt groupie!
Eva’s words: “Jag träffar alltför många raser för att bli en rasnörd. Jag fastnar för personligheter. Om jag hade haft möjlighet hade jag till dags dato ägt en schäfer- en magnifik enögd kung, en borzoi- galet busig och helt underbar, en amstaff- kärlek vid första ögonkastet mellan oss båda och en kines- den mest intelligenta, smarta och den mest tjuvaktiga av hundar. Och nu….lilla Helga- hunden med sammet i själen och bus i blicken. Lycka till Veronica!“
It’s been a great pleasure to start my journey with Helga under Eva’s guidance. Her sense of humor, her ideas, her warm and generous personality makes the training not only fun but easy.
Tack Eva
I recommend anyone interested to read Eva’s books, attend a workshop or buy an online course. It’s most inspiring.
I have the best life. (Apart from the ridiculous rules). Here I will share our daily routine with you.
Every morning Veronica, listens to classical music, drinks her green tea and reads the newspapers online. A Swedish one, a local one, and the NYT.
Well, actually it’s more like she browses through them while I cuddle.
While she gets dressed I keep myself busy until it’s time for her daily Gym session.
Veronica has become slightly obsessed with “Hemmagympa med Sofia” (Home gym with Sofia) on Swedish tv
She’s a big fan!
She’s even somewhat of an insufferable “Sofia missionary”, trying to convert everybody to become a Sofia follower.
Her friends pretend to be interested, (well that’s my theory), so she’ll stop blabbing.
After keeping the body fit, we go for cool walks in the country side.
To the lake, we live very close by.
To a big park in the city to check out other dogs. Apparently it’s important for me.
I’m not allowed in the dog run. (To my relief, there’s a lot of barking and some of those guys look a little scary).
Veronica want’s me to be cool in any kind of environment. I love the city, there so many wonderful people!
Sometimes we go to a cafe.
All through the day we have small training sessions. Here I have to take the treat only on the order “Gott”
Veronica tries to fool me, by saying all these silly words, like: ham, apple, cheese etc… Yeah, I don’t fall into that trap, does she think I’m that stupid?
I help out with the dishes, I’m very efficient.
In the evening we watch TV shows or movies.
Veronica only likes stories that end well, and mostly very romantic chick flicks. She becomes emotional and cries…all the time. I know, pathetic!
I can’t complain, my life is pretty awesome. Don’t you agree?
This house comes with a whole list of rules. It’s more like “Veronica’s House Statute”. All people, and dogs, staying here, have to follow the official guideline.
I don’t get the feeling it’s mandatory…
Let’s start with what affects everyone the most: the heating. Veronica, being an obedient citizen, follows the official state 2022 guideline: 20° instead of 21°.
Only she’s decided 19° is enough. (Dennis opinion is yet unknown). Does she expect a medal for good behaviour?
I often hang out by the radiator and guests are encouraged to dress warmly and, or, use a blanket.
The Bedroom is even colder, about 17°, AND she opens the window at night. (Is this some kind of Swedish custom?)
Veronica’s only concern was her new pup. “Perhaps Helga is cold”. She covered me with a blanket at night.
FYI I was fine and the blanket was slightly irritating.
Nobody but NOBODY, is allowed to use the drier: “Takes too much electricity”. There’s laundry hanging all over the house. (Do you get a fine if you use it anyway?)
I once heard Dennis complain about the towels being too rigid. Veronica’s answer: “It’s a good massage for your skin”.
On the dog front, the furniture is forbidden territory.
I tried to hide on the sofa but was found out.
She barricaded the bedroom chair…I sneaked around and had to go down.
What troubles me is that I am allowed up if I am ON HER LAP… go figure.
Compost fences are placed in strategic places to keep me “safe”.
Downstairs..
…and upstairs.
I have noticed, lately, that one could say Veronica is a little…bossy, just a tad. She tells everyone it’s for the greater good. (What’s that all about?)
Apparently this is a common trait among the women in the family. (Somebody said so, the other day.)
We all still love her. Also, here’s a little secret; she’s actually a softy, one has to be smart to get away with things.
This is my new home. We even have a sign showing intruders with bad intentions that I’m the guard dog.
Truth told, I don’t know about that? Do I want to growl at strangers… hmmm not really.
It was both a sad and a happy day when Veronica came to pick me up. (I was the first one to go). Leaving my secure home, Mom Lavie, my sisters, Andy and Jacky felt a little scary.
They all looked happy for me though, they know that Veronica is the best, and, more importantly she is a Boxer veteran.
Elie, Veronica’s second son, was part of the trip. He’s a big Boxer fan, he adores me. (What’s not to love?!)
I was an example of good behaviour in the car.
My new home is great.
A huge courtyard where I can play and survey the road and passers-by.
A big garden, I have not been able to enjoy it fully yet, the weather has been problematic. I do not care much for the cold.
I have my own toy box. It’s very cool, Veronica actually won the 12 bottles of wine in a lottery.
I have loads of toys. Every week Veronica takes a few away and adds some new ones. In the basement she has a drawer full of toys that she’s bought for her dogs over the years.
My Beds are awesome. I have 4 (You heard me FOUR!!). And they’re all of the same brand, Veronica’s favourite: Cloud7 (She’s such a bed snob!)
This one was actually Felicia’s. But it is fairly new. It’s in the living room.
The basket bed is in our bedroom. (Yes I sleep with them, where else should I sleep?) It was also Felicia’s bed.
Veronica wanted some new stuff. Well of course, a new pup needs new stuff! This one is very soft, very comfy.
It’s located by Veronica’s computer.
And the “Plat de residence” (also new), the best one, is in the entrance hall. From here I have a clear view of the entrance door, the kitchen, and the living room.
You saw the sign on the gate, I’m the guard dog
See my gorgeous Cloud7 blanket? When shown to Dennis he had the nerve to say, “Looks like something you picked up from the flea market”. Honestly! Men!!!
Last but not least, is my “walk in closet”. I have quite the choice here. I know, looks more like a leash store.
But in Veronica’s defence; these have been bought over 20 years. FYI how many shoes do you own?
What do you say? Not bad for a pup like me! But I’m the princess of the house, after all!
I have tested many dog beds over the years. and to me, Cloud7 are the best value:
This is my old family. Jacky and Andy Flütsch, Lavie, (My Mom,) Auntie Pretty, Auntie Mosca and Uncle Nando. The Andreashöhe Kennel.
Veronica and Andy go way back, right to his first babies in 1994. This is her go to place for Boxer pups.
My mother is the sweetest Boxer there is, she is very mellow and gentle. She loves people dogs, cats just everyone, as a matter of fact she’s just wonderful.
My Father, Odin v. d. Andreashöhe is more of an outdoorsy kind of guy. He’s a working champion.
He’s very handsome, (well, that’s the general opinion) he obeys impeccably all the time, he’s friendly and polite. A real gentleman.
I have three sisters.
We’re a chubby lot and adorable (it goes without saying). We look very much alike, thus the collars. I’m the one in purple.
Auntie Pretty also had four puppies and since my Mom had loads of milk she helped her out with the feeding.
My mom is a super hero. She’s the best.
OMG! I just realised I have perfect parents! I have to live up to huge expectations from everyone.
FYI: When I say everyone I mean Veronica.
Not only am I the Grand niece of THE Felicia, I also have these goody goody parents… oh, the nightmare!
The Helga Chronicles 