May 13, 2014
After a long stretch of cold and rainy weather, we had a truly beautiful day today, so we took the pups for their first real hike.
Now everyone sleeps like a sand bag. The house has not been so quiet for a while…
Watch how they did…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfwSwBUC0YE <——Click here…
May 8, 2014
The Catskill Pumi B-litter will be six weeks old Sunday. They are not only healthy and good looking, they have also turned out to be very atlethic. Mama Fruska and Papa Penge can be proud of their offsprings.
As the Catskills’ three-season weather (Winter, Summer and Fall) has been forcing us spending lots of time inside in April and May, we’ve had to come up with ideas to compensate for the lack of warm weather and keep the pups not only growing but also getting creatively engaged and mentally stimulated indoor.
Since we have given up the office cubicle and teaching podium during the last millenium to be able to sit in the symbolic animal pan and play with dogs, chickens, goats, sheep, donkeys and horses, (etc.) it was not difficult to figure out, how we can keep seven Pumi pups to be engaged, curious and stimulated.
Check it out…
http://youtu.be/TtslqQw1hQ4 <——- Click here…
May 4, 2014
The weather is pretty chilly outside, so the pups have to resort to indoor activities…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fUIeCsEqDg <——Click here…..
May 1, 2014
It is May! The grass is getting greener, the sky is blue and the pups are growing. All activity levels have been increasing as the weather is turning nicer. We still on break with herding because the lambs have not been weaned from the ewes so we’ve been waiting for the pastures to get stronger and help the lambs gradually become independent from their moms.
To bridge the gap and provide more creative activities, we’ve decided to add agility for fun and versatility. For years, we’ve been trying to learn agility with the dogs but it is hard to find a place and instructor when you live far away from everything on the dark side of the moon. It is a big demand in our area for organized dog activities. Because many friends, neighbors and other dog people are interested to have some fun with their dogs and the nearest agility place we know of is close to two hours away, we’ve decided to set up an agility course in addition to the herding practice available to others to join us. And last weekend some of the stuff arrived… When the dogs saw the new doggie play ground they just went wild…
“If you build it, they will come…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61TixYd5bis <—-Click here…
April 27, 2014
In 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition has started its historic and quasi secret journey to the Pacific NorthWest. The main reason to the secrecy was to avoid the Spaniards and their allies to intercept the American explorers. Part of the preparation of the Corps of Discovery was a language code that operated with a password that they used to send messages back to the East.
As of today, pretty much we have more information about Seaman, Lewis’ dog from 1804 than about the Pumis of Pumifest 2014.
Jumping two hundred and some years ahead to 2014, not far from the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, Pumifest 2014 has taken place in Washington State. Among many things, there have been three days of competitions, exploration of new disciplines, health checks and bondings on the agenda of the annual North American Pumi Summit.
Those of us, who could not make it, have hungrily hung on the internet waiting for continuos flow of news, chronicles, small stories, photo streams and short videos in real time, because we hoped to be at least in spirit in Washington and celebrate with our Pumifriends in proxy. Instead, in the age of the internet and instant communication, (with a few exception), we have experienced a Pumifest 2014 “news brownout. ”
I am not looking for conspiracy theories and yes, I admit, it certainly sounds a bit exaggerated to draw a parallel between The Lewis and Clark Expedition’s shroud of secrecy and Pumifest 2014’s lack of continuos news update but what will I tell to the pups now…?
Where are the pictures? videos? stories? where is the news…?
April 25, 2014
It is THAT time of the year again in April, the annual North American Pumi Olympics, Pumifest, 2014. For three days, most Pumis and their owners’ eyes and attention around the Globe will focus on the “New World Pumi.” Love it or hate it, let’s admit it, no one can ignore it.
Pumifest is the greatest annual summit of the Pumi Americanus in North America, where the most Pumis supposed to congregate to demonstrate their skills in herding, agility, obedience and of course to select the Prettiest One amongst them.
The event is also designed for exchanging ideas, skills, learning about health issues and the latest domestic and foreign scoops. Last and not least, Pumifest is also the ultimate annual event to celebrate this unique breed while breaking bread with other owners, breeders and all participating Pumi aficionados at the symbolic Big Round Pumi Table.
the pups are debating in front of the big screen wether they will ever have fair chance to participite at Pumifest every year instead of remaning limited to go only every second year…
Sadly, Pumifest also divides us, as the Fest alternates between East and West Coast annually. Because of distance, time and most importantly the cost, (it is pretty expensive to fly 2-5 Pumis these days) usually most Pumis of the non-host coast do not make it across the Great Continental Divide (pun intended).
I am just wondering what would it take to follow other breed clubs and try to move the event to a more central location where Pumis of both coasts in higher numbers could participate, sniff butt and share united the motto of the annual Pumi olympics, ( in Pumi Lingo of course…) “Herdier, Agiler, Barkier..”
April 19, 2014
OMG this outside thing is so stressing…
Hey, the pups have been outside the first time. Sunshine, 50 some F temperature, a bit of wind, but not too bad for 15-20 minutes or so. We climbed the hill, just above the house. It is not exactly Mount Calvary, but for the pups it was dramatic enough. To be more comfortable, we took two of the stuffed bunnies outside with them, (No they were not Dismas and Gesmas…)
Heelp! what happened to the walls and the ceiling…?
Although, the pups were a bit overwhelmed by the infinity of space after the confinement of the puppy pan, the presence of Mama Fruska soon pacified them.
It is 6 PM now and the sun is slowly sinking behind the hills, forming a glowing crown on the perimeter of its core. It is a quiet and somber day and the Seven Apostles are sleeping inside after their dramatic journey.
What…? There have been more than seven Apostles…? Well, sorry but in my opinion, seven Pumis should be loud enough to spread the gospel…
Uuugh… what happened? Where am I?
green dog on the green…
Mama Fruska watching like a hawk to scare away the hawks…
April 14, 2014
So you saw the Catskill Pumi girls napping in the Keukenhof yesterday. While they were enjoying the tulips and the sunshine, the boys sneaked into a dutch pub and stole the moment by singing Franz Lehar’s “Vagyom Egy No Utan” (Dein ist mein ganzes Herz) song during the happy hour.
What else would some Hungarian Pumis sing after a few beers anyway…
April 13, 2014
It is Sunday morning and we slept longer a bit, got up at 7:30 AM instead of the usual 6AM. After letting the dogs out, went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the dogs. Fruska was so inpatient (and hungry of course) that she did not wait until I could finish preparing her breakfast and has decided to get the breakfast of her own.
See what can happen if you do not feed your lactating hungry Pumi on time.
C’mon Fruska you make me to be embarrassed…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwVNOZi-Rvg <—–Click here…
April 12, 2014
Spring is here!!! We have been so excited. The pups have been developing beautifully and the weather is fantastic. We have been talking on FB about the stunning Dutch Keukenhof and it has inspired us to make a faux “Keukenhof photo shoot” with our super model B-litter girls. Enjoy…