Tag Archives: Herding breeds

Famous Sons of Styria, Austria

March 6, 2016

The Messe Center in Graz, the dog show site. I live only a few blocks away.

The Messe Center in Graz, the dog show site. I live only a few blocks away.

Currently, I am in Graz at the International Dog Show. For FCI Group 1, it is only a one day show on Sunday.

Graz’s population is about 300,000 people. It is the capital of Styria and is located in the South eastern corner of Austria near the Slovenian and Hungarian border. Graz  seems to be one of those ideal multi cultural picture perfect central European cities from the playbook of the Habsburg dynasty of the legendary Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The city is a true  custodian of the often idealized gilded past through its architecture, institutions and traditions. The baroque buildings along the quiet narrow cobble stone paved streets, the richly decorated formal palaces and monumental government buildings  on the open town square, or the ghostly Gostling Castle above the city are great reminders of greatness, wealth, culture and the  imperial absolutism of the past.

The Rathaus or town hall in Graz. I am surprised that Donald Tump has not proposed yet to rename the U.S. Capitol "The Rathaus"

The Rathaus or town hall in Graz. I am surprised that Donald Tump has not proposed yet to rename the U.S. Capitol “The Rat house”

When traveling to foreign places, I am always interested in the “famous native sons and daughters” of the countries and cities I visit. Graz also has its own interesting group of people  to offer.

Graz was the home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the nephew of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Franz-Joseph.  The aging ruler who preferred feudal tranquility to the reform ideas of the duke,  had a rather unsavory relationship with Franz Ferdinand. The Archduke was also looked upon as one of the dynasty’s black sheep because he married  Countess Sophie Chotek of Bohemia who was just below the “princess level.” Among the many repercussions were Sophie’s exclusion from major state events and the  denial to be buried in the Habsburg Imperial Crypt in Vienna.  The couple’s children were also not eligible for the Monarchy’s throne.  The Archduke’s  assassination in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, caused the beginning of the Great War in 1914.

Arch Duke Johann, the Styrian Prince, one of the favorite son of Graz and Austria, military man and the nerd of the Habsburg dynasty. founder of the Joanneum one of the early universities in Graz, The Graz, Library, Mutual Fire Insurance Co., the Austrian Southern Railway among many other things. He married beneath of his rank, the postmaster's daughter Maria Anna Pilz, that automatically annulled his accession to the Austrian throne.

Arch Duke Johann, the Styrian Prince, one of the favorite sons of Graz and Austria, was a military man and the “nerd” of the Habsburg dynasty. He was the founder of the Joanneum one of the early universities in Graz, The Graz Library, Mutual Fire Insurance Co., the Austrian Southern Railway among many other institutions that contributed to the economic and scientific progress of Austria.  He married beneath of his rank, to the postmaster’s daughter, Maria Anna Pilz. The union automatically annulled his accession to the Austrian throne.

An interesting fact about Franz Ferdinand is that he was  a trigger happy hunter, who killed close to 300,000 wild animals during his short life, from small birds to elephants according to Richard N. Lebow,  who wrote  the book, “Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives! A World Without World War I,” in the “what if genre,” proposing and alternative history for the world. Imagine, how our lives would be different today without the first world war… The assassination of Duke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo was indeed one of the greatest catalyst of extraordinary changes in the history of humankind. It is fascinating to think – in a twisted way, – that most technological and scientific inventions  of the 20th century, including the radar, nuclear bomb, man on the moon, your iPhone and one of their unintended results, climate change, originates from Graz, the birth place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, another Habsburg member of the "morganatic marriage" club, (a fancy word for you...) Where would you be and what would your life look like if he was not assassinated...?

The figure from Graz, whose mere existence probably caused it all. His assassination has altered the trajectory of the world – ( for better or worse…?)  Archduke Franz Ferdinand, another Habsburg member of the “morganatic marriage” club, (a fancy word for you…) Where would you be and what would your life look like if he was not assassinated in Sarajevo…?

A bit of contemporary literature from Graz, Folke Tegetthoff. over 40 books and additional films and performances. His favorite genre is to write new style fairy tales for adults. "There is no greater desire than to find someone who listens to you"

A bit of contemporary literature from Graz, Folke von Tegetthoff. (another von…) A story teller, has written over 40 books. He has also written  films and performances. His favorite genre is new style fairy tales for adults. “There is no greater desire than to find someone who listens to you”

http://youtu.be/j1pruq2VffM <—- CLICK HERE!  Ironically, a probably much better known figure  from Graz, is, the ultimate pop culture icon, the total recall governor of  California, 2003, former two times Mr. Universe, Arnold Schwarzenegger.  He was the son of the former police chief of Graz, Gustav Schwarzenegger. His father was also a former Nazi party member during WWII. We all know   Arnold’s rise to fame and his fall.  Arnold’s movies range from “Pumping Iron”  to “The Terminator” and beyond. It can happen only in America and it can happen only in California.

Graz's legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger Mr. Universe, The Terminator, the Total Recall Governor of California. He unlike the two Archdukes, he married up and he still managed to screw up. Herr Tegelhoff could write a realistic fairy tale about him.

Graz’s legendary son, Arnold Schwarzenegger Mr. Universe, The Terminator, the Total Recall Governor of California. Unlike the two Archdukes, he married up, not down into the American royal family, the Kennedys and he still managed to screw up. Herr Tegelhoff could write a new style fairy tale about him.

By the way, as you would expect, there is an Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum in Graz. It is the sort of Austrian “Graceland” with less flair  and more though guy image.  The museum recreates Schwarzenegger’s early life in Graz, Austria. It exhibits memorabilia, photos, documents, exercise machines and other, sometimes frivolous curiosities.

young Jack Unterweger, a disturbed mind of Styria's famous sons.

young Jack Unterweger, a disturbed mind of Styria’s famous sons.

The difference between fame and infamy is just one’s interpretation . Jack Unterweger, the Austrian serial killer has certainly stained the impeccable list of famous sons of Styria. Jack, the son of a Vienese woman, Theresa Unterweger and an unknown American soldier, was born in Judenburg, Styria just an hour drive from Graz.  Jack’s early life was the clear road map to the dark side. He’s been in and out of prison for sexual assault. He committed his first murder in 1974. While in prison he started writing stories and poems. “Purgatory of a Guilty Man” has served as the main source for a documentary movie. In 1990, Unterweger has been released from prison as a rehabilitated man with the assistance of public and celebrity pressure. His writings has been taught in schools and his twisted persona celebrated as the example of one of the successes of liberal penitentiary reform. Jack has become a public figure, journalist and broadcaster. As it turned out, during his broadcasting carrieer, he was reporting many of his unsolved earlier murders.

John Malkovich's play catered to the fascination of Americans with murder and violence

John Malkovich’s play catered to the fascination of Americans with murder and violence

Unterweger has turned out as a notorious “meurtrier sans frontier” (murderer without borders) as it was discovered that he also killed in Czechoslovakia, Germany and later in the US when he was hired  by a magazine to write about crime and prostitution in the US.

Even though he committed suicide in his Austrian prison, his infamy has been carried on in popular culture. He has been portraid by John Malkovich in “Seduction and Despair”, he was also portrayed in “The Infernal Comedy” in 2009 and in a documentary movie, “Entering Hades.”

An Austrian play about the disturbed mind of Unterweger

An Austrian play about the disturbed mind of Unterweger

He was charged of eleven murders and found guilty of nine. Since he was seeking appeal while he died by Austrian law his “guilty verdict was not legally binding.”

Grüße aus Graz!

Schwarzenegger's sculpture at the Schwarzenegger Museum in Graz. It is funny that how much it reminds me Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" perhaps there is such a thing as muscle brain after all...

Schwarzenegger’s sculpture at the Schwarzenegger Museum in Graz .It reminds me Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker” perhaps there is such a thing as muscle brain after all…

Ha... an outdoor sculpture at the Schwarzenegger museum

Ha… an outdoor sculpture at the Schwarzenegger museum

An invaluable piece from the Schwarzenegger Museum. Art thieves in trouble...

A   priceless  piece  from  the Schwarzenegger  Museum. Could art thieves sue the museum for hernia injury…

 

 

The super futuristic "Kunsthaus" in Graz. It is the home of art works made after 1960. Or perhaps an unidentified submarine that can be modified to launch missiles to restore the Habsburg Monarchy. Who will be the new emperor? Arnold, Johann or Ferdinand? Perhaps Folke Tekkerhoff can write the story down

The super futuristic “Kunsthaus” in Graz. It is the home of art works made after 1960. Or perhaps it is a secret  submarine that can be modified to launch missiles to help in the restoration of the Habsburg Monarchy and the elimination of  the prohibition of”morganatic marriages” for members of the imperial family. Who will be the new emperor? Arnold, Johann or Ferdinand? Perhaps Folke von Tegetthoff will reveal it in his next fairy tale book

She, Who Gets Up Early Finds Gold…

June 9, 2015

a cute well behaving farm Pumi in the cwnter of Milan, Italy from upstate NY. She licks her mouth after chasing the local pigeons away and eating their food...

a cute well behaving farm Pumi in the cwnter of Milan, Italy from upstate NY. She licks her mouth after chasing the local pigeons away and eating their food…

The title of my entry is a Hungarian proverb.  Even though, I hate to get up early and in fact, I believe in long cozy beauty sleeps, I truly live by the meaning of this proverb…

our balcony. Anka loves to watch people walking by below us. It is a treat for a farm dog who most of the time sees only the mailman on the farm back home.

our balcony. Anka loves to watch people walking by below us. It is a treat for a farm dog who most of the time sees only the mailman on the farm back home.

It is hard to write about Italy, anything new or different. It is one of the favorite tourist destinations of many. History, arts, architecture food and wine have been written and rewritten about from various angles by hundreds of gifted writers, historians and food critics .  So what else new can I add and write about that does not make one fall on his face because of repetition and boredom.  I do not know. I’ll be here for eight days and try fatefully report you my Pumi girl, Catskill Apacatancos Anka and my Italian (Milanese)

in the wine store museum

Anka hit the floor in the Enoteca Ronchi wine store/museum.  Wondering what she had upstairs  while I was tasting wine with Luise Ronchi in the basement.

adventures. Who knows, it might turn out to be different that you used to read about Italy.

Ciao Italia!  So we finally got here…! New place and new adventures with one of my great dogs, Anka.  I love to travel, I love to meet new people and immerse myself in the respective local cultures, the  history of the people and the places I visit.

original Chagall wine label. When viticulture gets high(er) brow...

original Chagall wine label. When viticulture gets high(er) brow…

I prefer to explore new places step by step. I never mean to be pushy. ( I call it friendly…)  When I arrived to Milan, it was different.  I skipped the introduction and found myself in the middle of Milanese life.  After all, I have only eight days to spend here.

Luise Ronchi

Luise Ronchi

My strategy is always to establish my perimeters. So first thing, I walked into a wine store/museum that happened to be “Enoteca Ronchi,” the wine sanctuary  of Milan’s oldest five-generation wine merchants, the Ronchis. Being a friendly girl, I started chatting with the person in attendance who turned out to be Luise Ronchi, the current proprietor.  I got a tour of the store, the cellar and was offered some delicate tasting.  Luise has also introduced me to a few wine bar owners in the area who invited me to their establishments for the next few days to come.  What a way to overcome jet lag, start a trip abroad and save on your wine budget…

the courtyard of the building where I rent my flat

the courtyard of the building where I rent my flat in Milan. It reminds my so much the building where we lived in the heart of Budapest with Laszlo before leaving Hungary.

Photo Jun 09, 6 19 22 PM

Luise Ronchi’s hand written notes for my Milanese wine history education

Oh, I almost forgot. Tomorrow, I am invited to Loise Ronchi’s home to further explore Italian viticulture, sharp at 11 AM.

Now back to my beauty sleep.  I’ll write about Italy later…

detail of my flat.  It is cozy and close to everything.

detail of my flat. It is cozy and close to everything.

 

hmmm... why would anyone install the bowl to chill wine next to the toilette... well, it is a small apartment.

hmmm… why would anyone install the bowl to chill wine next to the toilette… well, it is a small apartment…lol

 

Your Last Second Christmas Shopping At The Catskill Pumis

December 21, 2014

Last second Pumi and farm items for the holidays! Earrings and Zipper pullers.

We also have some of our farm products that the Catskill Pumis are indirectly responsible for by herding the sheep and goats of our farm, GoatSheepShop.

If interested, pls. contact us at info@catskillpumi.com or call at 917.375.7029

Metal White coated Pumi earrings

White painted metal Pumi earrings with sterling or gold filled  findings $25/pair

 

Black painted metal Pumi earrings with sterling or gold filled findings $25/pair

Black painted metal Pumi earrings with sterling or gold filled findings $25/pair

 

 

Plastic zipper puller with sterling findings $20 each

Plastic zipper puller with sterling findings $20 each

 

Plastic Pumi zipper puller with sterling findings $20 each

Plastic Pumi zipper puller with sterling findings $20 each

 

Goat's milk face cream made with our goat's milk and natural ingredients

Goat’s milk face cream made with our goat’s milk and natural ingredients. Available in three sizes, 8oz $12, 12oz $18, 16oz $28

 

Washable white Merino or black Shetland sheepskin shoe insoles $15/pair cut to size

Washable white Merino or black Shetland sheepskin shoe insoles $15/pair cut to size

 

hand felted hot water bottle cover (rubber bottle included $65 (style might slightly varies

hand felted hot water bottle cover (rubber bottle included $65 (style might slightly varies

 

Sheepskin hot bottle cover (rubber bottle included) style might slightly varies $65

Sheepskin hot bottle cover (rubber bottle included) style might slightly varies $65

 

black sheepskin  hot water bottle cover (rubber bottle included) style slightly varies ($65)

black sheepskin hot water bottle cover (rubber bottle included) style might slightly varies $65

 

2'x3' woven natural color shetland 100% wool rug $175

2’x3′ woven natural color shetland 100% wool rug $175

 

White sheepskin average size2'x3' $95

White sheepskin average size2’x3′ $95

 

brown or black sheepskin average size approx. 2'x3' $95

brown or black sheepskin average size approx. 2’x3′ $95

 

Angora goathides, white, silver average size approx. 2'x3' $185

Angora goathides, white, silver average size approx. 2’x3′ $185

 

 

 

 

 

Pumi, Catskill Apacatancos Anka, Best of Breed, at the Eukanuba National Championship, 2014

December 20, 2014

Catskill Apacatancos Anka, CM, PT, AHBA Junion Herding Dog of Catskill Pumi Kennel, has won the Best of Breed title among the Pumis at the Eukanuba National Championship 2014 Show in Orlando, Florida.

http://youtu.be/oRpUR-TC8TI <——-Click here to see Anka…

 

 

Home Sweet Home…!

December 17, 2014

Koszos, my Electric Light Orchestra cat just lit up when he realized that the ten-day long missing Pumis are back in his life...

Koszos, my Electric Light Orchestra bluetooth enabled cat, lit up when he realized that the ten-day long missing Pumis finally are back in his life…

After all, we’ve made it back home. We stopped in New Jersey where we split with Marika. Paul has surprised us with a desperately needed wonderful dinner.

I exchanged all my stuff to to the truck and we were gone back on the road to upstate New York, for three more hours of lonely drive on dark  and icy roads.

Finally we’ve made it back home just after midnight. When the truck finally stopped, the dogs went nuts running and barking into the night. Fruska and Csupasz who did not come along were happy to see their  fellow Pumis to be back.

the Pumi-train is back again on the farm and running on time.

the Pumi-train is back again on the farm and running on time as of this morning.

Of course, all five Pumis slept in the bedroom and hopefully…,… things will start returning to normal today.

Farm, home, snow,  Pumis and happiness.

 

 

 

Thank you again to Marika Foreman, Kathie Ogden, Dianne Fletcher, and my forever crazy Rat Terrier Ladies’, Stacy McWilliams and Jackie Maye Olsen helping us to achieve such a success.

Wish you a happy holiday season!

 

Sal, we gotta go…

December 16, 2014 

Peachie

Peachie…

 

Welcome to NC!

Welcome to NC!

 

The Palmetto State... by the way you must watch the movie "Palmetto" by Volker Schlondorf (available in the U.S. "a juicy film noir" (NYT)

The Palmetto State…
by the way you must watch the movie “Palmetto” by Volker Schlondorf (available in the U.S. “a juicy film noir” (NYT)

for that fancy red feather to hold the peach cube in your coctail

for that fancy red feather to hold the peach cube in your coctail

We’ve made good time on the road up north.  Passed through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and stopped in Virginia to spend the night there.  The dogs pretty much slept through the 11 hour-long drive.

We stopped for a stretch, grabbed some food.  In one of the rest areas a Black Vulture stalked  the dogs.  I had to leash them because they wanted to catch the big bird. I wonder why  these southern Oligoceneans ( in Orlando the alligators and here these antiquated birds) are fixated on the Pumis.

scarry black vulture in the rest area stalkig at the Pumis yuck!

scarry black vulture in the rest area stalking  the Pumis, yuck!

 

Photo Dec 15, 5 42 55 PM

what a ghostly rest area just before sundown with that crazy Black Vulture. I had to leash the dogs.

 

We got to our motel pretty late after a series of closed or “temporarily no credit cards accepted” stations.  Surprise surprise,  our reservation has not come trough, but we were lucky enough to get a room anyway.

This morning back on the road again. Nasty weather around Washington D.C. heavy rain, road constructions and accidents. While Marika was driving during the long bumper to bumper traffic, I came up with my Eukanuba Commemorative Cocktail.

Colors like Pink and Blue are fundamental and it also has to somehow designate some of the states we’ve driven through like peach from Georgia, the Cardinal from Virginia or some moonshine from North Carolina.  Drink it with a palmetto leaf hat on your head from South Carilina. Cheers!

ok replace the cherry with a wedge of  pink grapefruit and add the chunk of peach on the read feather. Do n ot forget the ice cubes!

Your Eukanuba Commemorative coctail…ok replace the cherry with a wedge of pink grapefruit and add the chunk of peach on the red feather. Do not forget the ice cubes and the ground nutmeg!

So here is my Eukanuba Commemorative Coctail creation (have not tried it yet.)

2 parts L’Orange Grey Goose Vodka (orange for Florida)

1 part Broadslab Rum (Legal moonshine from North Carolina)

1 part of Blue Curacao (for the Eukanuba blue floor color)

a pinch of ground nutmeg ( for its psychoactive/deliriant effects of myristicin)

one small wedge of pink grapefruit on the bottom of the glass (Eukanuba pink)

a one cubic inch chunk of peach (Georgia)  on a  clean red feather of a Cardinal  (the bird of Virginia) the feather can be fake submerged in the cotail.

served in a wide cocktail glass with two ice cubes.

Enjoy your hangover under your Palmetto hat.

The Palmetto hat I recommend for this coctail. It israther more like a helmet in case you have a bigger sip than you can handle

The Palmetto hat I recommend for this coctail. It is rather more like a helmet in case you have a bigger sip than you can handle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eukanuba National Championship 2014 – Catskill Pumi Rundown

December 14, 2014

tra

2400 miles with Marika and four Pumis

  
#12 Pumi

#11 Pumi   Catskill Apacatancos Anka represented the Pumi this year in the Best of Miscellaneous Group at the Eukanuba National Championship 2014

EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2014, BEST OF BREED PUMI, CATSKILL APACATANCOS ANKA OF CATSKILL PUMI KENNEL!

http://youtu.be/oRpUR-TC8TI

What a week!  From snow covered mountains to subtropical Florida and tomorrow back north again. A 2400 miles road trip, with Marika Foreman and four fantastic Pumis.  Visiting friends, showing dogs, debating breed standard, wrestling alligators (almost…) and trying out lots of different great food.

We have also turned the trip into a weeklong culinary journey

We have also turned the trip into a week-long culinary journey

We had a great week. the weather was pleasant and most importantly we had a pretty strong showing.

Catskill Apacatancos Anka has earned three BOB and one Best Bred By Exhibitor title including the Eukanuba National 2014 Show.

 

Anka with her Eukanuba National 2014 loot

Catskill Apacatancos Anka with her Eukanuba National 2014 loot

 

Kaffogo Agyag, my misunderstood soul, the Pumi version of Mary,  Queen of Scotland she has to travel a across the Ocean to get appreciated

Kaffogo Agyag, my misunderstood soul

My misunderstood Kaffogo Agyag has earned one BOB and a 4th place in Best of Miscellaneous Class.  Catskill Becsi Barsony, the all time winner of public opinion has won one  Best of Breed and one Best of Opposite Sex title, and the only boy in the group,

 Bikfic DogMan of the very near future just keep an eye on him

Catskill Battyogo Bikfic, DogMan of the very near future just keep an eye on him

 

and here comes trouble, Catskill Becsi Barsony who can get away with almost everything (for a few more months...)

and here comes trouble, Catskill Becsi Barsony who can get away with almost everything (for a few more months…)

Catskill Battyogo Bikfic got two Best of Opposite Sex titles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow, we will pack up and will start our journey back home to the magical winterland of the Catskill Mountains in upstate NY.

 

Nice to Meet You…

After the Pumi survey the answer was anonymous. They are way bigger tan any dog and obviously over 30lbs, therefore eligible to enter the "large dog" dog park

The response to the sign on the left was unanimous. Pumis are bigger than any dog (at least they think so) therefore, they are eligible to enter the “large dog” dog park

 

The "Eukanuba's Secret" super models on the table

The “Eukanuba’s Secret” super models

December 14, 2014

Yesterday was the day of the “Meet the Breed,” event, therefore, the Pumis got a break from the conformation ring and we all could take it easier.  We started the day in another nice size dog run (what a convenience for city dogs). The farm Pumis had plenty of steam to release after days of public good behavior and the ongoing breed standard controversy.  After they’ve finished making dizzy the entire dog park population, we packed up and left.

...and action

…and action

Next stop was the Orange County Convention Center, the site of all the shows and trials and the “Meet the Breed event.” After the dog park exercise, the Pumi gang walked in relaxed and behaved like angels.

Once the public realized that we did not sell Grey Cattle, the breed has enjoyed great popularity. Now, it is our job to keep prospective buyers’ expectations realistic.

The Pumis enjoyed great popularity

Once the public realized that we do not sell “Grey Cattle,” the Pumis enjoyed great popularity

 

So remember, the Pumi is a terrier type breed with the need of daily off leash exercise and quality mental stimulation.  Yes, they will sit on the couch with you calm after you gave them their daily exercise routine.

Enjoy your Pumi…

Marika Foreman is taking the helm at the snake and Pumi charming table

Marika Foreman is taking the helm at the snake and Pumi charming table

 

 

Quote Of The Week…

things got quickly out of hand and a protest ensued

things got quickly out of hand and a protest ensued

December 12, 2014

sd

The new name of Eukanuba National proposed by Mr. Trump for next year…

Things got heated up in Orlando, Florida today.  Some shots were fired on FaceBook and things got quickly escalated. People and dogs have been out protesting on the information superhighway. The situation has turned into an international incident. Finland and Italy have been on high alert.

standard

this is what can happen if we ignore the standard

 

sd

your Pumi without standard – we better to do something

U.S. Pumi authorities have immediately condemned the possibility of foreign intervention in the American Pumis’ domestic affairs and quoted the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations’, “2131(xx) Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention in the Domestic Affairs of States and Protection of Their Independence and Sovereignty.”

Are we gonna go to war…? Huh… thanks god not. I hope not…  Also, let me make some corrections. Those symbolic shots have not really aimed at each other but rather the dusty cob web covered Pumi standard that evidently not too many people bother to read on either part of the pond.

he

The Donald is really looking into restoring order in the world of dog standards

grooming

Trump is taking grooming dead seriously

But I would suggest to pull our shhh.. together fast  because next year we might easily  find ourselves under  different  management, “Trump National,” here in Florida… Rumors say that the Donald, has been fed up with the chaos as he cannot recognize certain dog breeds anymore.  It has been said by unnamed sources that Mr. Trump  has been seen at grooming places, reading breed standards and he has even tried grooming himself.  He has also been spotted at Judges seminars.

standard

the great book of dog breed standards looks like it has not been touched for a while

 

So if we don’t do something about those crazy forgotten standards, and start following them, we might easily see Donald Trump judging our Pumis next year.

How can we do that?  The easiest way it is, in a collective. Perhaps reinventing the idea of  the “common goal.”

“As it was eloquently put this afternoon, during the virtual riot,

“Friends don’t let friends show puffy Pumis…”

Friends don't let friends

“Friends don’t let friends show puffy Pumis…”

 

 

 

 

 

“Read The Operating Instruction Carefully Before…”

on our way to the park cute subtropical urban architecture.

on our way to the park cute subtropical urban architecture.

December10, 2014

I’ve always laughed at the insurmountable safety instructions, operating manuals and various warnings labels whenever opened a box of a merchandise. I’ve been mesmerized by the terrorizing typographies and drawings of safety labels of goods. Labels warning  buyers not to put their hands in the garbage compactor, not letting their toddler diving in the bucket of whatever because he or she might dies or not to drive over a cliff into the void with the new SUV.

I am under the shades of palm treed while Laszlo clearing the  access roads roads and the drive ways from a foot of snow in the Catskills.

I am under the shades of palm trees while Laszlo clearing the access roads roads and the drive ways from a foot of snow in the Catskills.

Readers, let me tell you, today, I have changed my mind forever.

a picture of my drive way tonight  from upstate NY. What a stark contrast to the Florida sunshine

Laszlo emailed this picture of our drive way tonight from upstate NY. What a stark contrast to the Florida sunshine

We had an early show today. Since the weather was beautiful, we have decided that after the show, we take the dogs to a newly discovered giant dog park with a big lake only 15 minutes from the exhibition site.  (I am not telling you the name of the park and where it is because I do not want to see your crowd of fancy dogs or your barking Pumis there…)

As soon as we entered the park we let the dogs off leash. Our redneck farm Pumis were in heaven, running chasing at each other and harassing other dogs. In less than twenty minutes, they discovered the lake and they were in the water, splashing it and swimming to cool down.  After about an hour, we collected everyone and drove back to our motel. While the dogs were stretching on the floor in the room after their exercise, I emailed the photos we took in the park to my husband, Laszlo, to show him what a fun day we had.

and fetch...

and fetch…

I barely pushed the “send” button on my phone, when the phone was ringing.  It was Laszlo. First I did not get it, than he asked me again, wether we did read the sign next to the lake. I opened my phone and looked at the pictures.

On one of the photographs, there was the sign;

“The presence of alligators is likely in this lake. Alligators are drawn toward canine and lake shore activity…!”

Photo Dec 10, 2 38 18 PM

Photo Dec 10, 2 28 27 PM

the dogs, the lake, and the sign

 

and the SIGN!

and the SIGN!

 

 

The ghostly Spanish moss...

The ghostly Spanish moss…

Thanks god nothing happened, however, this incident certainly  added a new note to my northern paranoia about the potentially dangerous fauna of the subtropics.

So please, always read the signs and instructions before engaging anyway in irresponsible behavior…