Tag Archives: Marja-Leena Puranen

Seven Pumis In Seven Days…

May 30, 2015

Hello World, We Are Here

Hello World, We Are Here… We were happy to land on Planet Pumi during Memorial Day weekend, make it sure that everyone will remember us.

FYI, we are more than color coded cute monkeys, we are Pumis with real names… if you think you have speech impediment after reading our names, either ignore it or set up an appointment with your speech pathologist.

So here we go!

Hi, my name is Csucsai Csinszka or Csinszka from Ciucea. I am one of the pups from the Catskill Pumi C-litter. I will be the narrator of our first seven days today.

Sneaky little guys

My name comes from the romantic story (blah blah blah…) that Csinszka was the wife of one of the greatest Hungarian poets, Endre Ady. Unfortunately, he died of syphilis just before penicillin was available in 1919… (Sorry, I am a pup and sometimes not sure about appropriate comments or unnecessary extra information…) Anyway, since I started it, let me finish it… As a new born pup, my take away of this story is, that greatness might shields one from the consequences of getting in to trouble, however, not necessarily from contracting trouble…The wife, Csinszka was from a small town in Transylvania, Ciucea or Csucsai, that is between Oradea where our mistress, Ildiko was born and Cluj Napoca where Ildiko attended her undergraduate studies, so she was riding through Ciucea a lot.

The second girl’s name is “Csendes Csobanka” that translates as “Quiet Shepherdess.” I think this name is self explanatory. We were born into a herding kennel, and while anecdotes say that Pumis must bark when herd, our elder kennel team mates have proven that a good herding dog can work in silence.

“Cseresznyes Cio-Cio-San” is the third girl, that stands for “Cio-Cio-San with Cherries.” This name is a testament that we are from an artsy fartsy family, and supposedly when Laszlo was growing up, his family had permanent annual ticket to the Budapest Opera House… (I hope you got the Cherry connection…)

“Cserfes Csacsogo,” or Gossipy Chatterbox” is the fourth girl’s name. I do not want to be a party pooper, so I cannot identify the person she is named after… Pumis are certainly known about their chattery personality and gossip is also an important social tool getting to know your allies and enemies…

And here come the boys…

AKC’s Most Wanted

“Cifra Csaszar” or “Adorned Emperor.” A name that jumps out from the gilded history of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, folk fables, national operas, Francophile poets and the rest.

“Csipos Csuzli” or “Pinching Slingshot” is the perfect name for the perfect underdog, a peasant underdog I might add, recalling a biblical hero from the Old Testament.

Finally the last of us is “Csatakos Csoma.” His name can be translated as “Soaked or Muddy Csoma.” Either way, when you’ll see him, you know that he is just an adorable lovely dirty Pumi.

We’ve had a busy loud and camera flashy first seven days, so I think I am happy that I cannot hear and see for a few more days, otherwise, I would have a serious headache. We were photographed and showed around the world, I felt like a Kardashian Pumi or one of “AKC’s Seven Most Wanted…”

We also had a visit at the vet office that has become a subject of an international crisis, “dewclaw or not to dewclaw…” However, thanks to the twenty four-hour news cycle, FIFA took the center stage right after us.

dewclaw or not dewclaw an international Pumi crisis

Lately, we are subjected to some weird experiment, created by a person named Dr.Bataglia. Honestly, it is quite uncomfortable. We have to hang upside down, resting on cold surface, they push Q-tips between our paws and other weird stuff. It is supposedly good for us. The only thing I am concerned about is that a few decades from now some revisionist historian might come up with the idea that we were part of some weird Eugenist exercise, the “Post-Letterman Stupid Pet Tricks”.

So what will we become? I do not know. Words go around in the whelping box that they will send us to the four corners of the world, so I guess, we will be missionaries. Wait a second…, can we be Mormon Pumis?

From Planet Mars to Planet Pumi in 62 days…

Announcing Catskill Pumi C-Litter, May 2015

April 3, 2015

We are announcing our upcoming Catskill Pumi C-litter in May, 2015.

Dam: Kaffogo Agyag, Hungarian Junior Champion, CM, PT, JHD, FCI Herding Certificate, Junior World Cup Winner of Hungarian Breeds, Budapest Hungary, 2013)

(D.O.B.03.08.2012),

Color Fawn (Maszkos Fako)

Health Tests: Elbows 0/0, Hips “GOOD” (OFA), PLL Clear (OFA), DM Clear (OFA) Health test certificates are available upon request

Kaffogo Agyag, HPJ, CM, PT, JHD (AHBA), FCI herding Certificate,

Sire: Pustan Helmen Karhunsammal “Daco” Finnish Champion, Estonian Champion (D.O.B. 05.01.2011)

Color Black,

Health Tests: Elbows 0/0, Hips B/B, PLL Clear (OFA), DM Clear (OFA) Health test certificates are available upon request

Pustan Helmen Karhunsammal “Daco”

Home Again…

March 31, 2015

they scanned me, and called Laszlo in New York that I will be home again soon…

Home Again… we said a heartfelt good by with Marja-Leeena and then we checked in with the airline. I could not be happier with the news that Agyag’s fee was only 75 Euro(!) . So I showed Agyag’s receipt from New York. I got a big apology and an even bigger refund for the gross over charge at JFK on the way here. I just love Finnair, I think, they just got a committed new customer. Before boarding, I kept asking one of the flight attendants wether the dog was on the plane yet. She was not too enthusiastic about my persistent inquiry, but finally she called the ground crew. She also asked me what kind of a dog I had. The magic word, “PUMI” finally brought a smile on her face and she told me that one of her colleagues also has a Pumi. “You mean Helena Matilla?” I asked… She said, “yes.” What a small planet to fly the friendly skies…

"Are you ready?" I asked, "are you ready?" she asked.

“Are you ready?” I asked her, “are you ready?” she asked me…

Agyag plans to sign up with FinAir as a sniff sniff dog (we might fly free next year…?)

The plane could not leave for an additional forty minutes. So while we were sitting on the ground, I decoded the airplane charmers’ hand signals on the tarmac watching them through the window.

the airplane charmers code to move those big mechanical beasts on the ground. It is all brain power and focus…

The flight was smooth and dry. It reminded me somewhat the prohibition era. (It took lots of button pushing to get a few glasses of wine out of the flight attendants. )

the airplane charmers’ hand signals to move those giant beasts on the ground…

Finally we landed, and we were home again. While I was enjoying the NYC sunshine in the traffic jam trying to get out of the City en route upstate, the furious periodic mini snow storms in the Catskills made me question the existence of Spring.

New Draconian measures in NYC to collect unpaid traffic tickects. Vialators are burried up to their head in the medians to inhale exhaust fumes so reduce pullution. Look at the heads, it turns out that blond types do not pay their traffic tickets more often than others…

snow flurries March 30, 2015 What is going on Mr. Weather Man?

I hope it will come in the next few days. I am ready…

Dear Abby…

March 26, 2015

Dear Abby,

I am a concerned doggy parent who have always believed and put emphasis on training, education, good manners and behavior. I have provided a strict Catholic training to my doggy kids because I always wanted to be a good shepherd who gives correct directions to her doggies.

However, currently I am facing a crisis. It appears that all my hard work (and those damn expensive cookies) went down the drain. I’ve been traveling with one of my girlies. When we woke up yesterday in the morning, I asked her that what she wanted to do. I was mortified when she answered in front of our host, “mom, I think I want to have sex with Daco…” About half an hour later the boy came over (the second time this week…) I feel paralized, I have anxiety attacks, I do not know what to do.

Dear Abby please advise!

A concerned doggie mom…

WARNING! The video below contains sexually explicit material that might be disturbing to some people. viewer discretion is advised. (hide your kids!)

https://youtu.be/wXOhuUl7Tig <—-click link

An Arranged Marriage, Dip in the Lake, American Ingenuity (sequel two part two)

March 24, 2015

The meditation house at the lake near by…

while I am meditating, Agyag is dreaming about Daco

After we packed into the car at the airport and was driving to Maria-Leena’s house, I had to break the news to Agyag. I told her the truth that we did not really come back to Helsinki to buy more of those delicious smoked fish treats that she got last summer. We flew across half way the world to select a nice dog for her to start a family. As soon as the “arranged” word came up in the context of marriage, she gave me that angry feminist canine real bitch look (pun intended) and started scratching the expensive leather seat in the car. (gosh I hate smart female dogs… when we return home the library room will be off limit for the Pumis the baby gate will go back up.) Since I did not expect her negative reaction, I had no clue what to tell her. I wanted to avoid a ridiculous feminist debate with Agyag in front of Marja-Leena (I wanted to avoid embarrassment, Agyag is a dog after all…)

the church boat house. Marja-Leena with the dogs

the meditation house from a different angle…

Because of lack of a better answer, I stole a quote from a Jarod Kintz book. So I told her, “I had an arranged marriage. If I didn’t, how would anybody know when and where to show up…?”

After a long uncomfortable silence we got to Marja-Leena’s home. Fortunately, Agyag’s melodrama was short lived when Pustan Helmen Karhunsammal, “Daco,” the dashing male Pumi appeared in the doorway…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9LfCcUaN1o click link…

After things calmed down and “Daco” left, we went for a hike so the dogs could stretch and run. The weather was nice as we walked through the empty skanzen of the park with its restored original buildings hiding the sins and joys of history past.

The Skanzen with its ghostly emptiness…

Then we arrived to the lake. Half of the water has been covered with a continuos ice sheet. Suddenly I did not see Marja-Leena. Before I could panic, she reappeared. I could not believe my eyes she was in her bathing suit marching toward the lake in about 35F temperature and the next second, there she was, swimming toward the ice. She started calling me to join her swimming in the icy lake, however, I regrettably had to decline this very inviting opportunity because I had to watch the dogs so they did not get away (as my excuse was).

I can be an unreasonable person sometimes but I do not believe that any "Sampo" or even "Shampoo" would make me lucky or would protect me from hypothermia after a dip in the icy lake...

I can be an unreasonable person sometimes but I would not believe ever that any “Sampo” or even “Shampoo” would make me lucky or would protect me from hypothermia after a dip in the icy lake… Marja-Leena swimming in the ice cold water while I am hoping that she gets out soon and I do not need to jump in the water to rescue her. Still shivering from the idea…

By the way, I often wondered what makes Finnish people to jump into ice covered body of waters? Could it be CIPA (congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis), an inherited national disorder, when an individual cannot feel extreme heat or cold? Or is it a simply superstition of believing in the “Sampo” the prominent national talisman from the “Kalevala” story that supposed to bring fortune and keep anyone who believes in it away from trouble? I imagine ice lake swimmers smear some “Sampo” in liquid form from a bottle on their bodies, hoping to prevent them from heart attack in the cold water…

I simply cannot resist to throw in my theory of American ingenuity in relation to the “Sampo.” Did it ever occur to anyone that perhaps an early American venture capitalist and a shady inventor joined together, after reading the “Kalevala” on a long and boring sailing trip crossing the Ocean to the Colonies in the New World and came up with this crazy idea to sell some magic liquid that brings great fortune and success for its users and simply name it “Shampoo…?”

I've had dozens of scenarios how I could get away getting into the cold water if Marja-Leena needed to be rescued. One idea was that hopefully she would yell for help in Finnish because than I could have the perfect alibi. I do not speak the language...

While I was petrified on the shore watching Marja-Leena swimming, I’ve had dozens of scenarios running thru my head, how could I get away from jumping into the cold water if Marja-Leena needed to be rescued. One idea was that hopefully she would yell for help in Finnish because than I could have the perfect alibi. I do not speak the language…

Shop Talk and and Some Fun in the City

August 5, 2014

The famous Helsinki Cathedral, “Tuomiokirkko”(spelling it correctly and pronounce it, should be a prerequisite for the eucharist…) on Senate Squre in the city center. It is an evangelic Lutheran Church. It can accommodate 1300 people. It is the most recognizable landmark of the city.

Say, "cheese..." it does not really work in Finnish "juusto..." (one of my theories why English has become the lingua franca of the world...)

Say, “cheese…” it does not really work in Finnish “juusto…”
(one of my genius theories why English has become the lingua franca of the world…)

This WDS is also a study trip for me to learn about the mysteries, controversies and also trying to answer some of the open ended questions of the Pumi breed. Therefore, it has been an especially lucky coincident that this global doggie summit has been organized by “Pumi powerhouse” countries in two consecutive years.

strolling in the center of Helsinki. Nina took possession of Agyag. The spoiled opportunistic Pumi has enjoyed the extra attention

Look at that delicious dinner plate. Fresh fish provided from the Baltic Sea.

Last year, I had a chance to spend time in Hungary, the home of the Pumi and this year here in Finland. Earlier, I’ve have talked to breeders, most importantly to the Forsti’s from Fifikus kennel at the Kuopio international show. Yesterday, I’ve spent the day with Marja-Leena Puranen here in Helsinki. Marja-Leena also took me to meet Helena Mattila of Karvakorvan kennel outside of the City.

Thank you both for taking your time and meeting me.

After the Pumi protocol, the fun has begun. Finally, I could hook up with the “Pumericans,” Stacy Lehman, her husband Jon, Taru Parvin and her daughter Nina. We also kidnapped Marja-Leena along for a good time. We have shared our experiences, walked around in the center of the city a bit and finished the evening with a great dinner.

Niina, Jon and Stacy the wine in the forground of course is only for prop to enrich the phtograph...

Marja-Leena, Nina, Jon, Stacy and Taru (the wine in the forground of course is only for prop to enrich the photograph…)

Tuomiokirkko from another angle…

Agyag enjoying her Cyndarella time. She will have have a hard time to become “just one of the Pumis” again when the clock will hit midnight at the end of the week and we return to the U.S.

It is all about the Pumi
Marja-Leena, Ildiko, Taru with Kaffogo Agyag and Stacy

Back in the hotel, I called my husband Laszlo to tell him about my day. We talked until my adrenaline level tanked and I fell in bed to recharge my body for the next day.