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Breeding Plans with Purpose

We Are Excited To Announce The Arrival Of Two New Catskill Pumi Litters

Catskill Becsi Barsony X Catskill Iszkiri Ignac

Catskill Finnyas Fani X MayaLu’s Everet

These litters have been in the making  for years.

Barsony in delirium with her eight new pups

Barsony in delirium with her eight new pups

Fani is a first time mom. protective and extremely detail oriented

Fani is a first time mom.

Catskill Barsony is a once in a lifetime dog, with an exceptional conformation, outstanding temperament, serious drive, and the love for farm work.

She is the daughter of  the “mythical” Nyirsegfia Penge whom everybody has talked about in Europe, however, only a few people have actually seen him. However, we’ve had a privilege to use him as a stud back in 2016. Penge had been a leased  farm dog near the Ukranian border in the sparsely populated “puszta” or prairie part of Hungary at the time of our visit. Unfortunately, soon after to the mating to our bitch, Fruska, he was poisoned.  During the short time between breeding to our Felallo Fulu Fruska,  and before his death he has left several other bitches barren.  His outstanding conformation, dream temperament, working background, relatively unique blood line and the tragic fact that he was bred only twice, has given us a litter that is a rear gem in the Pumi world.

Ignac, the sire of the litter, is one of the offsprings of  two imports, Cseri-Subas Fuvola x Hegyvidek Eke Geszte the foundation sire and bitch of  our “White Pumi Project”  that we’ve inherited from the legendary late Hungarian Gold Standard Breeder,  Istvan Menyhart. He has trusted us with these two wonderful dogs before he’s died.

This “white project” has become the third (an extension) line of our breeding program via Ignac.

Fani is the daughter of our Grand Champion Gold, first ever Best of Breed Winner Pumi at Westminster, and two-time BOB winner of the Annual Royal Canin AKC National Championship (formerly Eukanuba) in Orlando, FL.

Fani has incredible drive with a perfect off switch. She does agility and lure coursing and also work on the farm, herding sheep.

Our Collaboration with MayaLu’s Pumik has been produced some wonderful specimen with great stamina, drive and conformation.  Naturally, we wanted to continue working with MayaLu’s Pumik again.

Everet, the sire of the litter, is the brother of Chuckles whom we’ve already used for another breeding projects. Their father, Krieger has been a US National Agility Team member with Karen Beaty-Massey. We are expecting the pups to become well rounded for sport, conformation shows or to become exceptional pets to enhance their owners’ quality of life.

 

Once a Pumi Always A Pumi…

 

DISCLAIMER: The Pumi is not for everyone.

Pumis are attractive, whimsical creatures. With their “cute ears and funny look” they are real attention getters. It is a breed with an (almost) unbreakable spirit, burning loyalty, and unparalleled work ethic. However, these chivalrous attributes come with a restless, mischievous and vocal terrier type personality. Most Pumis are not the social butterfly types. They don’t do well in small urban dog runs, kenneling outdoor, and going on long road shows with handlers in the company of two dozen other dogs where they might be crated for most of the day. They need their handler’s personal attention in the home and on the road. Most importantly, they need daily physical and mental exercise. Pumis don’t take a raincheck easily.

It is a breed that often generates drama and emotion. If the Pumi was a literary genre, it would belong to tragicomedy. Because of space restrictions, I am not able to explain the palace intrigues, conflicts, revenges, the flawed heroes and a tragic suicide.

“Canis familiaris ovilis villous terrarius Raitsitsi” aka Pumi is a Hungarian terrier type herding dog. It originates from the Puli and a “mix” of various continental European herding dogs and terriers reaching back to the 18th century. The Pumi has served as an all around farm dog; provided a broad spectrum of vermin control from fighting wild boars on the crop fields to catching mice in the barn. He also served as watch dog and most importantly as a herding dog.

This medium size, low maintenance dog from the western part of Hungary, was agile enough to escort the legendary Hungarian Gray Cattle over 800 miles across half of Europe on foot to German slaughter houses yet gentle enough to move a flock of geese back and forth between the common pasture and the barn in its village.

Fast forward two hundred years to the 1950s, soon after the devastation of the second world war. Just barely recovering from virtual extinction, the Pumi suddenly found itself unemployed, as small farms across Hungary were systematically eliminated and replaced by large modern agricultural cooperatives.

In the following two to three decades, a small number of devoted breeders whom I will call “Progressives” cooperated to pick up the breed’s cause. The obvious solution was to compromise by choosing urban popularization of the Pumi. They soon realized, however, that they were fighting an uphill battle because of the Pumi’s somewhat unattractive appearance.Source: “Mi Lesz Veled Pumi?” – What Is Your Fate Pumi? – a discussion about the breed. A Kutya (1984) (Hungarian Canine Magazine).

Apart from the fundamental goal of establishing a distinctly different looking dog from the Puli, the primary concern of breeders and shepherds has been the preservation of the Pumi’s herding ability. Consequently, the aesthetics of the individual dogs was mostly ignored. As late as the 1970s, many of the Pumis were scruffy looking, so to speak, and came in all sizes, hair types, shapes and colors.

To increase the popularity of the breed, around the 1960s the focus turned toward a more aesthetic and more marketable dog within a defined standard. In their search for the ideal Pumi, breeders selected for uniform height, a square body, and a denser (not cording), curlier and more attractive coat. The Puli type anger haired and round headed Pumik, along with the taller, longer Pumis with “Shinka” type hair that is slightly wavy, covering less of the face and legs, and overall shorter on the body fell out of favor along . This despite the fact that based on practical observations of shepherds, Pumis with the latter phenotypical appearance have

proven to be more agile and better suited for herding than the curly haired Pumis. (Source: Mihaly Meszaros in “Current Issues of Pumi Breeding” – A Kutya (1993). The cooperation paid off and within two decades the result was a much more attractive dog with a relatively well preserved herding instinct.

Even though, life behind the iron curtain has improved through political normalization and relative economic prosperity, the “feel good era” that has impacted almost every aspect of society did not reflect on dog fanciers, especially Pumi breeders in Hungary. During the democratic transition in the late1980s and early 1990s, a new informal group whom I will call the “Nativists” emerged. Utilizing the “Open Stud Book” status of the breed, they have sought out the offspring of Pumis from specific lines from the countryside whose registrations lapsed decades ago. These included the offspring of well known Pumis from the past with incomplete pedigrees. These “new” dogs have been introduced or reintroduced to the mainstream gene pool through a carefully designed and controlled program. (The Hungarian Open Stud book has relevance for Pumis imported to the US which, in order to be eligible for AKC registration, must have a minimum three-generation complete(!) pedigree from the dog’s country of origin. It is not a hypothetical situation: there has been at least one known case where the AKC has revoked a registration previously issued for a Pumi with incomplete pedigree.)

“Nativists” have emphasized and lobbied for a higher genetic and phenotypical diversity along with improved working ability and largely ignoring aesthetic uniformity. Some of the more extreme members of this group also opposed exporting the Pumi, because of their conviction even as recently as early 2012 that it is an unfinished breed.

By 2013-14 dialogue between the two opposing Hungarian Pumi “parties” came to a complete halt and the status quo has been frozen since then. Besides their ideological differences about the breed, another cause of the schism that harks back to the 1990s, is a well intentioned but poorly executed government reform of livestock preservation and regulation of small animal breeding. This included purebred dog breeding with a broader oversight of Hungarian breeds.

In protest against the new Pumi Klub rules and government involvement, the “progressives” began to boycott the other group’s dog shows by organizing their own events. Some members went further by registering their Hungarian born litters or some individual dogs in other European countries and in one extreme case, a Hungarian born Pumi litter was falsely registered as US born in violation of Hungarian and FCI dog registration laws and AKC’s provenance rules. After an investigation, the AKC revoked the registration of the entire litter.

The Pumi has gone through its first phase of growing pain relatively smoothly while in the Miscellaneous class here in the US. The parent club has offered substantive public education events. Most Pumi owners knew each other and many have trialled their dogs in various disciplines that helped them to have a greater understanding of the breed. Some of these people went into breeding. They were largely supportive of each other, relatively well versed, in the different lines and different types of the breed and could navigate the bureaucratic maze of the European Pumi world. There have been group trips to Europe by these early breeders to learn about the Pumi (in conjunction with the Bratislava European Dog Show in 2012 and a year later the Hungarian World Dog Show).

When the Pumis were accepted into the Herding Group in 2016, interest in the breed immediately increased. However, at that time there were only a handful of breeders and a relatively small number of Pumis (300+). Entries in conformation nationwide were rare and the number of entries low. In the absence of substantive English language literature about the Pumi and an updated public education program to satisfy the demand, those newly interested

in the breed have chosen to turn to Europe, especially Hungary, with no or little understanding of the breed.

The number of Pumis in the US including domestically bred puppies and imported dogs has more than doubled in the last three years. Unfortunately, a disturbing import pattern has emerged. The “Mail Order Pumis” from overseas have started arriving in increased numbers, sometimes bundles in various combinations of two for one price discounts, pregnant bitches etc. Sadly, some of these dogs have gone to inexperienced hands or to people with outright ill intentions. As a result, the breed is experiencing a temporary setback. Pumi pups have started to show up in shelters in various parts of the country. Puppies and adult Pumis are advertised for free, sometimes with no registrations. When evaluating these events, of course we need to make a clear division between puppy mills and those who started, perhaps with good intentions, but with poor preparation relying only on their previous experience with other breeds.

We cannot emphasize enough that the state of the Pumi is far from a crisis and the “Pumi market” for lack of a better term will simply readjust after shedding the white noise. However, we think that a coordinated effort should be undertaken through education to further safe guard the breed from inexperienced hands and worse, from puppy mills. We also highly recommend to everyone interested in the breed, to take the Pumi for a “test drive” before getting into breeding because the Pumi is not for everyone.

Only collaboration, due diligence and a clear and honest objective can give this breed a realistic chance to thrive in the US.

* because of editorial limitations, some issues might not have been explained in detail. Please contact the authors with any question.

Agility Weekend at High Goal Farm, in Greenwich, NY

May 20, 2019

We had our season opening agility trial this weekend. After our long winter hibernation, we’ve been out in public Saturday and Sunday.  We’ve soaked in the sun and kept running and jumping again.

The first day the girls, Anka and Fani were pretty rusty, however we made a nice recovery Sunday. We had a great RV site where we couldalso enjoy nature before and after our runs.

Congratulations to Catskill Frankie and owner handler Maria Barnum for Frankie’s Open Standard Title!

I captured some funny moments on camera, enjoy… click on the links

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfMOyzYmpms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFNO2z3hxG8

https://youtu.be/3wJcID-E1OQ

our RV site in the dark of the night at High Goal Farm

our RV site in the dark of the night at High Goal Farm

AgilityRV2 1

Catskill Franki and owner handler Maria Barnum after their successful weekend at High Goal Farm. Frankie Completed his Open Standard and Excellent Jumper Titles

Catskill Franki and owner handler Maria Barnum after their successful weekend at High Goal Farm. Frankie Completed his Open Standard and Excellent Jumper Titles

We were rusty after the long winter, however, Anka and Fani have recovered for the second day and saved the weekend

We were rusty after the long winter, however, Anka and Fani have recovered for the second day and saved the weekend

 

Show Time!

June 27, 2018

One of Anka's three written evaluations. It is nice to have them. It can be helpful for exhibitors.

One of Anka’s three written evaluations. It is nice to have them. It can be helpful for exhibitors.

 

The future generation of Hungarian handlers, Virak Mester and Marko Tuncsik

Up and coming young Hungarian handlers, Virag Mester and Marko Tuncsik. Pro-handlers give a big boost to the Hungarian conformation show scene.

Marko Tuncsik Junior Handler with Anka right after the junior handler show. They earned second place.

Marko Tuncsik Junior Handler with Anka after the junior handler show. They earned second place.

During last weekend, I have entered Anka at the HPK (Hungarian Pumi Klub) and Budapest Grand Prix shows in Budapest.  Originally, I signed up Agyag to finish her Hungarian Championship, however, because of the change of airline, I could fly only one dog and I’ve ended up choosing Anka because of her scheduled breeding. Consequently,  I scratched Agyag and showed Anka instead.

 

One of my favorite photos of Anka

One of my favorite photos of Anka

The shows have also given me a chance to eyeball a limited cross section of the Hungarian Pumi stock again during these turbulent days when European Pumis conquering America.

My scope was limited because of the long time ongoing schism… – PU…MI – between Hungarian Pumi breeders. (For beginners, the two major opposing groups do not show at each other’s shows -with a few exceptions… (the two percent…) and a number of breeders, who are opposing the official Pumi Club, rather break the law  and register their Hungarian born dogs in foreign countries than join the Hungarian Kennel Club and Hungarian Pumi Club’s data base. – crazy isn’t it…?

So when you buy a Pumi from Hungary with a NON-Hungarian pedigree (!), watch out, because AKC might do not register your imported dog and you are supporting some crazy illegal Pumi activities.

Anyway…

After all, my Anka did well and has been complimented by both, the natives and the judges too. She’s got Res.CAC Excellent, CAC Excellent 1, and Res.CACIB Excellent. All three of her written evaluations are glowing and I cannot be happier.

Anka and Marko second place at the Junior Handler show, Budapest Grand Prix

Anka and Marko second place at the Junior Handler show, Budapest Grand Prix

Overall, the quality of dog shows in Hungary are slowly getting better. Most importantly, the dogs’ grooming is improving, however, showmanship still needs a bit more push. Exhibitors also pay more attention to their ring attire, that is already a positive commitment. The number of pro-handlers have been steadily increasing and that certainly has a  positive impact on the quality of dog shows.  The venue, “HUNGEXPO,” the international Budapest Fair Center also makes people to take dog shows a bit more seriously.

The quality of judging could be a bit more formal (based on my experience) and less partisan (as I have overheard people talking…), however, the judges’ knowledge of the Pumi is certainly outstanding.

Another graceful Anka photo

Another graceful Anka photo. Remember, NECK NECK NECK…(read the standard..)

I have met about 52%…(?!) of the “Who is Who on the Hungarian Pumi Scene.” People have been nice, open, and curious about the state of the Pumi in the US.

Grooming Queen, Tunde Baloghne Jovanovics also visited the show. She has panned each dog with her laser piercing critical eyes in the grooming area, than has given some pointers to people and the quality of Pumis suddenly increased in no time.

Overall, it was a nice show and I hope to be back sometimes soon.

Anka and Marko with a lavender background. Love my girl!

Anka and Marko with a lavender background. Love my girl!

Mark Walley with Ilka the star of the weekend. Congratulations to Gabriella Kassai, Mark Walley (owners) and Kate Pinches and Budd (Breeders) :-)

Mark Walley the lone British (soon English or  potentially Northumbrian – thanks to Brexit F.C.) soccer fan with Ilka, the star of the Budapest Grand Prix weekend. CONGRATULATIONS!  Mark doesn’t know that he is lucky, because if he decides to prepare for the Hungarian citizenship test, two of the questions coincide in Hungarian and English history; November 25, 1953 and May 23, 1954.  I’ve heard somewhere that these two dates are  automatically tattooed on every new born  English baby boys’ butt in English hospitals to never forget… or… always remember…?  it is cheeky…

 

 

 

 

Ilka and Gabriella in the ring.

Ilka and Gabriella in the ring. Congratulations for the outstanding performance at the Budapest Grand Prix.

with Pumi grooming legend/guru/expert/authority, Tunde, Balogne Jancsovics. The debate is still out there, what was first the Pumi or its grooming by Tunde. She has taught me all the shop secrets...

…with Pumi grooming legend/guru/expert/authority, Tunde, Balogne Jancsovics. The debate is still out there, what was first the Pumi or its grooming instruction by Tunde. She has taught me all the shop secrets (almost…) over the years

 

Julia Szurdoki, one of my mentors, and main sources of "Everything Pumi One by One."

Julia Szurdok, one of my super mentors, and owner/creator of one of the most extensive collection of  written private records on the breed “Everything Pumi One by One…” So…watch out.

Mobile Vendor at the Budapest Grand Prix

Mobile Vendor at the Budapest Grand Prix

With Piroska Nagy and her Pumi Gomolya. He was BOB Friday at the HPK club show. Congratulations!

With Piroska Nagy and her Pumi Gomolya. Gomolya was BOB Friday at the HPK club show. Congratulations!

 

Yeah… World Cupcake…, the new online baking course…

June 24, 2018

Finally I could reach Laszlo Thursday night. He is off the grid, so to speak.  He said that he signed up for a live streaming baking course, called “World Cupcake,” or something like that, if I remembered correctly. Supposedly,  he is really busy  to watch it to be able to keep up with the demanding curriculum.  So I did not bother him too much. He’s sent a few pictures that everything is ok at home…

Laszlo watching his baking course...

Laszlo is watching his online baking course…

Laszlo's online classmates...it is an interactive course

Laszlo’s online classmates…it is an interactive course

he told me that he feeds the dogs and they are ok

The dogs seem ok, so Laszlo has not forgotten to feed them – hopefully…

can you see the plants from the puppy? Scarlett has staying with us until July 2, when she can move in with her new owner to their newly restored home.

can you see the plants from the puppy? Scarlett is staying with us until July 2, when she’ll move in with her new owner to their newly restored home.

Even the newly planted veggies are green, unless he photoshopped them...

Even the newly planted veggies are green, unless Laszlo photoshopped the picture…

The Schengen Terrier….

June 20, 2018

The Schengen Terrier

A composite picture of the elusive Schengen Terrier…No one has ever really seen it and no one has ever cleaned up after him…

I have a bad news for U.S. puppy millers, there is no such a breed as the Schengen Terrier on the AKC’s FSS list.  Also, the Schengen Terrier is not an umbrella term for liberal European dog laws allowing dogs pretty much do anything on the continent.

Countries covered by the Schengen Agreement

Countries covered by the Schengen Agreement

Well, yes, it is true, dog laws are pretty relaxed across the pond, comparing to the United States.  Some of the crazy stories what you’ve heard that pooches are allowed in restaurants, on public transportation and beaches are partially also true, however, they are controlled by no-nonsense animal  laws.

So than what is this Schengen thing anyway? Actually, it has nothing to do with dogs, however, by now, I think you are curious enough to read about it. http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/european-union-schengen-area-and-re-introduction-of-border-controls/

The point is that the  Schengen Agreement is like an European dog law.  It spells out where you and your dog are permitted to go under the laws of the Union, however, it might be too generous and generates more mess than expected…

It is really upto the store owner what pet is allowed in the store

It is really upto the store owner what pet is allowed in the store or restaurant.

So I am back at the original crime scene with Anka for over a week now. Have checked in with some friends and family, visited government offices and other public places always taking Anka along.

Anka in the restaurant evidently she is covered under the Schengen Terrier Agreement

Anka in the restaurant. Evidently she is covered under the Schengen Terrier Agreement

 

Did you know that…

…in Hungary, a three months old pup needs to be registered whithin its local jurisdiction? Vets have to report each dog’s microchip and vaccinations to a central  national database. TO complicate matters however, local governments can have their own additional “dog laws.”

Dogs are allowed free in back yards, only, if it is fenced in.

Dogs must be leashed in public, dogs cannot enter to play grounds, untrained and vicious dogs must be muzzled in public.

Doggy Esperanto

Doggy Esperanto

Dogs can run free in designated areas, however, untrained, vicious dogs must have their muzzle kept on while off leash.

Every dogs must be leashed and muzzled(!)  on public transportations. (They can take public transportation)

Dogs cannot bother neighbors, (good luck with your Pumi that is kept outside) and one’s property must be fenced in if dogs kept outside. Small dogs have to have a minimum 10m2 area and no shorter than 6 meters long chain  and a dog house. Larger dogs have to be kept within a minimum 15m2 area. with no shorter than an 8 meters long chain and a dry shelter.

If  one owns a “mean breed,” a clearly visible sign must be posted at the entrance of the property that there are guard dogs on the premises.

To recover lost dogs from shelters, the owners must present proof of vaccinations and microchip.  Dogs are allowed to put down by law if no one claims or adopts them after two weeks.

Breeders need the local major’s office permission to start a kennel.

Sandboxes at playgrounds are regularly checked for toxicity... One of the most frequent complaint is dog poop in the sand box

Sandboxes at playgrounds are regularly checked for toxicity… According to official surveys, one of the most frequent complaints is dog poop in sand boxes.

Dogs are strictly prohibited to enter…  schools, daycare centers, social and cultural facilities,  government offices that are open for the public (e.g. DMV)

In the same time, dogs cannot be tied up outside (in front of stores, government offices etc. (while the owner takes care of business) without supervision.

If you are planning to buy a coop in Hungary, the good news is that the  coop board cannot oppose keeping dogs in your apartment.

…and do not forget to pick up after your dog!

Penalties: No registration 165 Euro, no leash 35 Euro Your dog kills another dog and you are a no show at the court, your penalty is 350 Euro. Beyond that, no-one really cares and you cannot be jailed.

Why do I bother to tell you all about these things? Because I’ve been visiting a bunch of government offices, banks and other public places in Budapest and I’ve been taking Anka along. The good thing is that no one really cares about pet laws and restriction as long as you have such a cute and well behaving dog as Anka.

farm dog visiting big city dwelling...

farm dog visiting big city dwelling…

I’ve also taken her to stores and restaurants, (where she was even fed,) The waiters and clerks at all locations have given in to the “Anka Pressure” and let her to come in. Of course, Anka’s behavior has always been exemplary at any establishments.

After we’ve finished all the official stuff I had to take care of, we’ve had some serious dog fun in the City. We also had some quiet… agility time at the  “Pilisi Kutya Iskola” training facility. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yswtxyX8kl0

To be continued…

 

What a small world. It was funny to read about St Elisabeth, a Hungarian Saint. I was commissioned to build a mural for the Chicago St Elisabeth Church back in the early 1990's

Went to see an outdoor exhibition in Budapest. What a small world… It was funny to read about St Elisabeth, the Hungarian Saint.  I was commissioned to build a ceramics mural for the Chicago St Elisabeth Church back in 1991

It can happen only in America

It can happen only in America…a Hungarian ethnic German former Catholic nun’s daughter originally from Transylvania is commissioned to design and build an exterior mural for a black Catholic church in Chicago,  named after a Hungarian Saint, Saint Elizabeth

 

 

Fun with the dogs...went for a hike to the popular "Harmashaterhegy" hiking area on the outskirt of Budapest. It is actually part of Budapest with Metro Area transportation to and from the City

Fun with the dogs…went for a hike to the popular “Harmashaterhegy” hiking area on the outskirt of Budapest. It is actually part of Budapest’s 2nd and 3rd district  with Metro Area transportation to and from the City

The mobile and police communication tower at "Harmashatar-hegy"

The major transmission tower for mobile carriers and police communication at “Harmashatar-hegy”

Cannot remember the leash laws...

Cannot remember the leash laws…

Andrea teaching geology and rock formation to the dogs.

Andrea teaches geology and rock formation to the dogs.

"Harmashater-hegy is home of the "glider plane's airport for many decades

“Harmashater-hegy is home of the “glider plane’s airport for 50-60 years

the popular cogwheel train taking tourists and their dogs up to the popular hiking area.

the popular cogwheel train taking tourists and their dogs up to the popular hiking area, the “Harmashatar Hegy.”

Andrea Csilla Szabo and her dog Sio at the

Andrea Csilla Szabo and her dog Sio at the “Pilisi Kutya Iskola”

 

 

 

 

 

An der schönen blauen Donau (Blue Danube)

June 16, 2018

As I was driving in the afternoon Budapest traffic jam along the riverbank of the Danube River, an old pleasant memory popped into my head.  https://youtu.be/9dYLEI3lrUg

The cover of Johann Strauss II's

The cover of Johann Strauss II’s “An der schönen blauen Donau

When I was a kid and even later in life, it has been a family tradition to watch the Vienese Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance on television in the  morning of January 1 each year. Many people whom I’ve known,  got up in the morning of the first day of the new year and  watched the concert regardless of how sleepy or hangover they were after their new year parties.

As a kid, the “Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II was the highlight of the televised new year’s day concert.  I guess, for no particular reason. Of course it has catchy  tunes that has turned  into a lifetime jingle (especially when driving along the Danube in Budapest in an afternoon traffic jam…), because my mother always talked about it during the concert and overtime the stories she said has built up my expectations. Also, because of the waltz’s dreamy title, “The Blue Danube…” and the awesome superimposed photos of the cities along the Danube’s 1770 miles banks, Ulm, Linz, Vienna, Bratislava Budapest, Novi Sad… as they slowly floated across the black and white television monitor to the tunes of the music.  It has made me dreaming of distant lands along the river.

The ultimate Kodak moment of the Blue Danube.

The ultimate Kodak moment of the Blue Danube.

There is one memorable photo, easily the  signature picture of  Budapest split by the mighty Danube, taken high up from the great distance of the Castle hill.  The picture shows the Parliament building, the famous Chain Bridge, and the calm mirror like magnificent river below.  It has been the perfect and sanitized Kodak moment of the “Blue Danube.”

But how blue, and how calm and how perfect is the Danube anyway?  It is the second longest river in Europe about 1770 miles long. Its headwater in the Black Forest in Germany and it enters into the Black Sea somewhere near the Romanian Bulgarian border after rolling through 10 different countries.

The Danube's River monster, the Huchen or Danube Salmon it can go about four feet long and weight 110lbs.

The Danube’s River monster, the Huchen or Danube Salmon it can grow up to four feet long and weight 110lbs.

It is one of the most important major transportation water-ways on the continent, has its own unique fauna and flora, including its own river monster, the Danube Salmone or Huchen, that can grow as big as 4 feet and weight 110 lbs.  Last, but not the least, the Danube is also a much feared and respected river in large parts of Europe. People along its river valley have a personal, relationship with the river.  On the one hand, the river has  provided jobs, irreplaceable drinking water, food, helped in building wealth, contributed to prosperity and inspired arts and cultures. On the other hand, its floods have also been the most destructive events that have taken thousands of lives, destroyed crops and wiped out communities over the centuries.

As the results of the repeated devastating floods, Budapest's Danube river bank infrastructure has been rebuilt and improved over the last 200 years.

As the results of the repeated devastating floods, the river banks of the Danube in Budapest  has been repeatedly rebuilt, expanded and improved over the last 200 years.

Uniquely, there has been no major superstitions and biblical prophecies applied to the Danube over hundreds of years, as Christian Rohr explains in his study of meteorological history, “The Danube Floods and The Human Response and Perception (14th to 17th Century) “. In fact, there has been a very sober and rational relationship between the river and its human inhabitants as Rohr describes it. People have learned to ignore god and his alleged doings during major devastations and instead of  trying to appease God,  they have focused on rebuilding and developing more effective flood prevention technics and river control methods . Oddly, the church has shared this approach and has provided generous financial support after each flood to help rebuilding  the destroyed lives and communities.

the old riverbank of Budapest around the turn of the 20th century. It had failed to protect the city from floods over and over again.

the old unenforced riverbanks of Budapest around the turn of the 20th century.They had failed to protect the city from floods over and over again.

It’s been a constant armwrestling between the river and its people throughout history. Budapest has also experienced its fair share of devastating floods during its existence. In the 1800’s, 23 major floods ravaged the City (not counting smaller ones) that have generated repeated severe humanitarian disasters.  If you think about it, it is a very disturbing number. It means that people have experienced a devastating flood every four years in one century. Countless iives have been lost,  tens of thousands of people have been displaced, properties destroyed and food supplies wiped out when major floods hit Budapest 23 times in a hundred year time period. For instance, during the flood of 1838, 150 people had lost their lives, 50,000(!) had become homeless. That number was about 1/3 of the entire population of Buda and Pest in the 1830-40s.  (the two cities, Buda and Pest was not integrated that time.)  The Danube effected real estate fortunes, impacted infrastructure over the centuries and  the City kept  defending itself from the destructive power of the river. People have not moved…

However, the mighty river cannot be blamed as the single culprit for all the pains and sufferings of its inhabitants. The river is also a long time witness and a passive conduit of its people’s lifestyle, biases, cultural, religious differences, and hubris, especially in the 20th Century.

Military personnel in protective gear searching for survivals at the Ajka Aluminum chemical waste product escape disaster. The toxic sludge ultimately ended up in the Danube.

Military personnel in protective gear searches for survivals of  the Ajka Aluminum chemical waste product disaster. The toxic sludge ultimately ended up in the Danube.

contaminated creek carrying chemical waste toward the Danube after the Ajka disaster

contaminated creek carrying chemical waste toward the Danube after the Ajka disaster

The Danube has often been used  as industrial  waste dump, harnessed for its energy in harmful and devastating ways, and used to hide humanity’s sinister acts as a mass grave for people and war machines. It has also swallowed up cultures that were nihilated in the name of progress.

The Ada Kaleh, the tiny Turkish island on the Romanian section of the Danube River was sank to give way to the hydroelectric power plant on the Danube. a 300 year old thriving ethnic culture was eliminated in the name of progress

Ada Kaleh, the tiny Turkish island on the Romanian section of the Danube River was flooded to give way to the hydroelectric power plant on the Danube. A 300 year-old thriving ethnic community was uprooted in the name of progress

the island under water on a satellite photo

the island fo Ade Kaleh under water on a satellite photo

The tragic fate of the frequently romanticized “Turkish island,” Ada Kaleh,  or the “Ottoman Atlantis,” as historians named it, on the Danube’s Romanian section has been a longtime Austrian outpost for the Habsburg Empire until  it was seceded to the Turks, in the 1600’s.  The Ottoman inhabitants of the tiny island, have established a thriving economic and cultural life during their close to 300 years of existence, until the Romanian communist government decided to built the infamous Iron Gate  hydro-electric power plant on the Danube in the 1970’s.  The newly built  dam flooded the island that simply disappeared under water like the city of Atlantis with its buildings and entire unique muslim history and culture.

The infamous Iron Gate hydroelectric power plant. Its dam system flooded the island of Ada Kaleh.

The infamous Iron Gate hydroelectric power plant. Its dam system flooded the island of Ada Kaleh.

When Central Europe’s multicultural melting pot have over boiled time to time, it has brought violence, destruction, ethnic cleansing and suffering for the area along the Danube’s river valley. Two world wars have been started in the region, in which the river has always played an important strategic role.  Near the end of WWII hundreds of Nazi river warships were sunken by the Germans to avoid the Soviets to seize and use them against the retreating forces of the Third Reich. These boats have never been lifted from the bottom of the river and during excessive droughts, the gost ships break  though the surface of the water and can be seen from passing boats and from the shores.

During the 2003 drought the water level has lowered so much that sunken german warships broke the surface of the river. this event has opened a new research projects for historians

During the 2003 drought the water level has lowered so much that sunken german warships broke the surface of the river. this event has opened a new research projects for historians

The monument on the waterfront of the Danube remembering the jewish victims of the holocaust

The monument on the waterfront of the Danube remembering the jewish victims of the holocaust

One of the most shameful WWII atrocities along the Danube is memorialized by the abandoned shoes memorial on the river bank of the Danube in the center of Budapest. Between 1944-1945 the henchmen of the Naci sympatizer Hungarian government, executed twenty thousand  Jews on the river front of the Danube. The memorial is a chilling testament about one of the darkest moments of humanity.

Disasters and tragedies in more recent memories were the cyanid pollution of the Danube from the Romanian gold mines in 2000 and the infamous toxic sludge river pollution from the caustic byproducts of aluminum production from Ajka, Hungary. The heavy sludge  broke the levees of the giant storage pools and polluted over 15 sq miles of lands, creeks, displacing and killing wildlife, and livestock.  More than 10 people have died and hundreds were seriously injured. Towns and villages in the area have been abandoned and never rebuilt. The chemical sludge ended up in the Danube that has carried the devastating pollution further downriver to other communities.

What is the takeaway of these stories?  I do not know. Perhaps that the “Blue Danube Syndrome” is really not an isolated chain of events specific to a certain geographic area or its people.  While we tend to dismiss our hubris and the plentiful cautionary biblical prophecies, we cannot escape to be repeatedly reminded of our not too bright future.  In a twisted way, the entertainment industry and cinema have taken charge of the delivery of prophetic messages by way of rolling out apocalyptic action movies and stories that depicts mankind’s potential gloomy fate in response to our arrogance.

Has the cinema industry replaced the role of religion or it has become "the religion? Do movies take over the role of scripture and the diminished impact of prophecies?

Has the cinema industry replaced the role of institutionalized religion or it has become “a religion?” Do movies become the ultimate delivery platforms  of biblical prophecies?

Budapest and the Danube also have their very own apocalyptic film now, produced in 2017. It is titled, “DVNA” (Danube). Tamas Yvan Topolanszky, the young Hungarian director in his nightmarish movie,  depicts life in Budapest, immediately after  the Danube disappears from its river bed overnight.

What is the outcome of the movie? I won’t be able to tell you because the traffic has finally started moving along the river bank and I am not supposed to write on my phone while driving the car.

Instead, I start doodling the “Blue Danube” again.

To be continued…

 

.

Jet Lag and the Urban Folklore Green Project

June 14, 2018

you are the bartender of your body's Circadian Rhythm and Blues bar.

you are the bartender of your own body’s Circadian Rhythm and Blues bar so use your mixology expertise wisely.(image credit: Catherine Streeter)

According to The National Sleep Foundation, traveling to distant locations across several time zones, “you are likely to experience the phenomenon of jet lag which can have profound effects on your sleep and alertness.” What was believed as a state of mind for a long time (jet lag), today is a scientifically proven imbalance in the body’s “biological clock”  the foundation explains.

bang...! you might be able to say no to drugs but you would miserably fail when trying to say no for an echte Hungarian "csiken paprikas..."

bang…! you might be able to say no to drugs but you would miserably fail when trying to say no to an echte Hungarian “chicken paprikas…”

As it turns out, studies by Northwestern University and Harvard’s Medical Chronobiology Program, have also proven that messing too much and especially long term with one’s Circadian Rhythm and Blues, one might encounter complications of high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, weight gain and other health problems due to excessive eating in response to the mixed signals of one’s body.

My sister, Zsuzsanna, the Csiken Paprikas Lady with Anka. Anka is wearing her cooler because of the unusual heat (at least for us upstate NY farmers

My sister, Zsuzsanna, the “Chicken Paprikas Lady” with Anka. Anka is wearing her cooler because of the unusual hot weather in Budapest (at least for us, upstate NY farmers)

To avoid a potential jet lag nightmare after my arrival to Budapest, I’ve decided to decline to eat all the delicious greasy, salty, sweet and fattening Hungarian culinary wonders that I was offered at my sister’s home. But than I realized that good manners are essential and it would be absolutely pointless to hurt my family by refusing to eat. I’ve decided to compromise, (basically sacrificed myself)  and did eat all the goodies they served and more…

To get rid of my guilt, the extra weight and also to give Anka a break, we took her to a nearby park with my sister Zsuzsanna, where she has shown me an interesting green project.  In the park, all the different newly planted trees are accompanied with large signs explaining not only the particular tree’s botanical description, but also its potential industrial use and function in folklore.

if you suffer of ophiophobia, than you want to sit and rest under the shades of ash trees as Slavic legends say

if you suffer of ophiophobia, than you want to sit and rest under the shades of ash trees to avoid snakes as Slavic legends say

Did you know for instance that Ash is used in the furniture and sport  industry? Also, according to Slavic folklore, it is safe to sit under ash trees, because snakes avoid the shadows of ash reflected on the ground.

Or, have you ever heard that in Pomerania and Mecklenburg, (German principalities) wooden pegs made of maple and sycamore trees were used by the medieval building industry to reenforce doors, door frames and thresholds to keep witches out from the homes?

Sycamore, the anti witch tree according to german folklore.

Sycamore, the anti witch tree according to german folklore.

After reading the signs, I was not entirely sure that what was such a big deal about witches? But than the more I was thinking about it and tried to rationalizing it,  I realized that I shouldn’t  rush to judgment, because what would I know about superstitions and supernatural creatures? After all I am not from some North-eastern German province, I am just a Transylvanian.

To be continued…

 

CCCC or the Catskill Climate Change Chronicle…

June 13, 2018

blogdry

Bad planning or bad execution?

Man plans, God executes … (or corrects what man keeps screwing up…) I am back in Hungary again, at this time with Anka.  Even though, this trip has been planned in advance, our departure date has been seriously circumvented by climate change.  As it turns out, climate change manifests not only in rising sea levels, more frequent and more intense weather events or dying coral reefs, it also effects my dogs’ physiology.  To be precise, my bitches’ heat cycle have turned on like clock work in the past, however, this year, because of the unusual long winter (I believe…), everyone has been late. 

When the tension is high enough, we are ready to travel,

When the tension is high enough, we are ready to travel,

Ironically, it was a relief to see the sudden growing tension between my girls, as their hormones finally started kicking in. It was the long awaited signal to set preparations in motion for my trip. Veterinary certificate, USDA papers and most importantly the airplane ticket with two dogs in the cargo hold.  ( FYI I also planned to take  Agyag along to give her a chance to finish her Hungarian Championship at the Budapest Grand Prix.) 

Well, instead of " yes," I've got a middle finger from Luftwaffe - the second time...

Well, instead of saying ” yes,” and correcting the botched booking, I’ve got a middle finger from Luftwaffe – the second time…

I am not lucky with Lufthansa – to say the least. Back in 2013, Lufthansa have lost Fruska and Agyag for close to a full day that has created some major complications to reach the Budapest WDS,  my destination at the time.  Booking my ticket and two dogs in the cargo hold with the airline, has seemed unusually easy at this time. Once ticket purchase was out of the way (or so I thought), based on my flight schedule, I went ahead to plan my entire itinerary. However, as it has turned out, Luftwaffe not only friendly fired my plans and screwed up my ticket with the two dogs in the busiest traveling season, they also refused to honor my original reservation.

 

Since my trip has been time sensitive, I had no time to run after my loss. I had to look for a another airline that could accommodate two dogs and flew me to Hungary for a reasonable price. While I’ve managed to secure a ticket, unfortunately, they could accommodate only one dog.  Obviously I took Anka.

My least favorite Hungarian road sign

My least favorite Hungarian traffic sign

So we made it to Budapest where I am staying with my sister and planning to see many friends and acquaintances while managing Anka’s dating schedule. 

To be continued…

Catskill Pumis Behind the Case of Southern Discomfort

August 2, 2017

Csinszka's new grand champion ribbon

Csinszka’s new grand champion ribbon

I had a busy six days last week.  I have traveled with the small contingent of three Catskill Pumis, Anka, Csinszka and Otter,  to Greenville South Carolina, to participate at the Carolina Foothills Cluster, sponsored by Purina Proplan.

It was a relatively large entry for the breed, 14 Pumis have been present including us,  to showcase  a cross segment of the breed in the US. I also had a chance to meet some of the new Pumi owners and reconnect with old ones.

Jan and Anka

Jan and Anka

The venue, the TD Convention Center was a comfortable place to exhibit and seek shelter from the scorching southern heat. The heat and humidity south of the Mason Dixon line is  drastically different  than our mild summer temperature  Upstate NY.

I was pleased with the strong performance of my Pumis. Anka is gradually regaining her pre pregnancy condition. Her hair is also coming back without complications. Seeing her rebounding so fast after her first litter reassures me that my dogs’ BARF diet is working well and that her body has  handled the burdens and challenges of pregnancy beautifully.

our weekend result

our weekend result

Jan and Csinszka in the Ring

Me and Csinszka in the Ring

Csinszka is maturing by the day and she is turning into a beautiful proportional bitch with well balanced movements. She is one of the lightest movers, barely touching the ground.

Otter, the well kept Catskill Pumi secret is out now in the open and keeps winning hearts and minds of those who are looking for quality males.  He needs to be traveling and shown more to gain confidence and to become more comfortable in the ring.

Overall, my Catskill Pumis have delivered a steady and successful performance.

 

Catskill Apacatancos Anka got one “Select,” two BOS and one BOB placements.

Catskill Csucsai Csinszka has earned three “Selects” and one BOS.  Csinszka also finished her Grand Championship over the weekend!

Catskill Otter has received two “Select” placements.

This successful week could not have been possible without Jan Kolnik, Anka’s handler, Eryn Glenn who showed Otter, and Marilyn Funke who has shown her group of Pumis and we shared the hotel room and an enormous amount of gossips for four days.

Otter

Otter