SNOWFALL IN RIVERWALK

The snowfall of February 5th 2010




Rupert loved jumping like a gazelle, snow up to his withers!

What a wonderful, peaceful picture of our deck!

Riverwalk village srouded in mist and snow.

Looking down Swan Drive from our front door.

Two houses down from us.

Corner of Riverwalk and Swan.

Edwin and Rupert at the end of our driveway.

Walking down the road.

Edwin and Rupert walking down our driway into the street, Edwin's truck on the right.

Nothing like a snowfall before Christmas.

OFFICIAL PICTURE OF CLEVELAND WIN

Here is the official picture of Rupert's win at the Cleveland Show.
He is back in Tallmage, Ohio as we speak, and will be shown on Saturday and Sunday. I do not have my hopes up as he has a bad case of "puppy acne" in his chin, and "puppy alopecia" in his muzzle, so he is not looking his best. Hopefully the judges will look beyond these temporary flaws, and judge the dog.
Colleen tells me that he is having a great time with Gemini, her bitch, and I'm not surprised because he is a very social dog, and looooves the little girls! We took him to Colleen's Wednesday, and as soon as we entered the house, he went straight into the dog quarters without looking back, one whiff of females.. ..and he's gone!
I know that no matter what happens he will have a great time in Ohio, but I must admit that we miss him and hope the time will fly.....

THE BIG EXCITING CLEVELAND SHOW...THAT NEVER WAS (BIG OR EXCITING)

Rupert has just returned from a four days show in Cleveland, we joined him, Colleen, and Shirley for the the last three days.

We had high expectations, since it was supposed to be a BIG show with lots of vendors and dogs. Well, the vendors were there, but the dobermans weren't. No dogs, and judging that left exhibitors shaking their heads in disbelief, made it for a huge disappointment. For our part, we looked on the bright side: Rupert had four days of very good training, improving everyday and establishing a relationship and routine with Colleen that will help him in the January shows. He also came away with a Reserve Winners, and Winner Dog for one point. All and all, I don't think it is too bad for our little boy who basically started his career this past October!

Above is Rupert standing for examination. he's pretty well behaved considering that he is not too crazy about his backside being checked out!

Above is Rupert at the Winner Dog podium with Judge Robert L. Vandiver.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST!!!

Quartu, 1980 or so, Nonna and Michelle in the balcony of via Paganini. Michelle is holding on to Talley while Rufus looks around, Nonna is fast at work on her inseparable knitting.

None of the building has started yet on the other side of the road, and if the picture were of better quality you could see the beach!

Rufus and and Talley posing for GQ magazine (doberman edition).

Nonna in Texas City, Tx. always hard at work on her Knitting.

Michelle, Marcia, and I at the beach, looooong ago!

Nora in Sardinia, this is a Phoenician City that was buried by a tsunami. Later it reappeared and has wonderful mosaic floors and much more.

Rome, we have been there several times and every time we enjoy quite a bit.
Colosseum, in the days when you could still walk around it and go in.

Yeap, go in....

Via Appia Antica, where Jesus met Peter running away from persecution and was asked "Quo Vadis Domine?"

Texas City, TX. Tommy and Johnathan...well Michelle is there also, although we cut her head off!

The Fountain of truth in Rome, you better be telling the truth when you stick your hand in its mouth, or you may have it bitten off!!!! I guess Edwin lied!

Paris! What a trip! One that will definitely go down in the annuals as a warning to numskulls not to over pack!!!

One delicious thing that might have made the trip worthwhile was the fabulous food, the baguettes were irresistible, I also seem to remember a Chinese dinner that wasn't too bad...yes, I said Chinese!
Hardy and Holger in Illinois!

Tony, in Illinois!

Hardy, Johnathan, Michelle and Holger in Duluth, Mn.

What a walk on memory lane!

THANKSGIVING AT MIMAS

THE GUESTS...

Thursday morning, Zsolt and Marisa playing cards as we prepare the turkey.

Rupert and Cooper hugging...so sweet! This is after they tried to take a chunk off each other!

Michelle finished the Santa hat for Marisa, and doesn't she look cool and sweet!

A view from the second floor, while we are sweating in the kitchen grandkids and dogs are sprawled in the great room....they don't look too worried about dinner!

Julia and Rupert...I think... why worry about cooking when you can lounge with your favorite dobie!

Dylan and Rupert...for sure

Marisa and .....?
Julia and Rupert
Hello' Dylan and Evan!
Edwin preparing the broth for basting and eventually for the gravy, we begin cooking on the day before Thanksgiving when we boil extra necks, wings, liver etc, we also make the pies and cranberry sauce. This year, Michelle made the cranberry sauce and a pumpkin meringue pie; I made sweet potato and raisin pies.
Grandpapa tossing the stuffing, must make sure is just right before stuffing the turkey!

While everyone cooks or lounges the dogs play, and play, and play!

Time to stuff the turkey!

...almost done...

Just a few more handfuls and....

It's ready to go into the oven....finally!

Cooper takes advantage of the confusion and eats Rupert's food and drinks his water!!!

Then they both inspect the floor for crumbs...

Mimas rubbing a little olive oil on the turkey's chest just before putting it in the oven.

TA...ta...ta...ta!!!!! The finished product! Two days' work all leading up to this!

A little carving and...

Dinner is served!!!