Flashback to last Weekend!

On this sunny Tuesday, which unfortunately has TOO cold temperatures for this time of year, I like to think back to last weekend. A sun-drenched weekend, temperatures inviting you to put on shorts, and nothing else on the agenda but crafting together at home and relaxing with the dogs in the backyard. As everyone knows by now, we are blessed with three wonderful dogs that brighten up our lives every day, and sometimes make it unnecessarily complicated. LOL.

In any case, last weekend it was time for cheerfulness and summer activities in the garden. And Skipper, Lana and Myla always enjoy that. Each in their own way.

Wagging tails

The sun was shining brightly in the sky as we started the day with a morning coffee, where we were treated to the daily sparrow chirping. Our furry friends already had their tails wagging as they sniffed around the garden with gusto. Each in his / her own way busy to start the day. And it is always a pleasure to see them enjoying the backyard.

We have to be creative with our backyard

I am not always happy with our backyard, because it is completely paved, and we are not allowed to change this. So we have to look for alternative ways to create a green oasis of peace for us and a challenge for the dogs. Then we also want to have the necessary productive plants to save some money in the supermarket, so that is sometimes a challenge in itself. But don't worry... there are options. At least we have a nice space, and that's something not everyone can say.

Skipper

So when we went out so early in the morning last weekend, Skipper, our energetic German Shepherd, was there right away. He is now 4 years old, and although he is not a dog that can handle all kinds of impressions, he is a great dog for us. He is always happy, likes to be with us and loves to be busy outside. Unfortunately I can't easily take long relaxed walks with him. He walks well that's not the problem, but he reacts to everything he sees, if dogs can have autism then Skipper is absolutely blessed with that. Which in turn ensures that every walk with Skipper also demands a lot of my energy, and the walks instead of relaxation for both, turn into energy-guzzling activities for both of us, and top sport for me. Just stop a 50 kilo dog if he has it in his head that he wants to run after a passing cyclist or run towards an oncoming car. I swear to you, that's not easy.

So the recipe for him is unfortunately more frequent and shorter walks, and also running out of energy in the garden, with mental activities such as games that require him to think. He has learned a lot in the 3 years that we have him in our house now, but there are also things that we don't want and where we have to accept that he is the way he is. Of course he was not for nothing a rehoming person who was taken care of by us because he had problems. Those problems still exist, we have been able to improve them with a lot of patience, but he has not suddenly become an example dog who always listens 100%. Unfortunately! So we will continue with him cheerfully and patiently, and hope that he can learn even more, and above all, will be able to handle more stimuli in the future.

Lana

Lana, our dear Dutch Shepherd, runs out energetically. She is already an elderly lady, but her energy is still that of a young dog. Unbelievable, as soon as she is allowed outside she is in 'action mode', a ball in her mouth that is immediately thrown at my feet. Her muzzle down to the ground, tense, ready to run after the ball. The gentle appearance of Myla is missing from this lady. But she is just as special in her way. She does not enjoy quiet moments in the garden, only one thing is possible for her, and that is ACTION. Run, play and be active when you are outside. Inside you can laze and sleep, but outside you're for the action, and Lana makes sure she gets it. With her boundless energy she just keeps going as long as we are outside. Whether it's an hour or a whole day, Lana is ready for the action and won't go back to sleep until she comes in. And while she's outside, she only sees one thing, her ball!

Myla

And then of course there is Myla, my faithful Malinois Shepherd. Her body no longer always cooperates the way she wants it to. Old age has certainly slowed down her body, but her love and devotion are unchanged. She is always around to protect me and I am just grateful and happy every day for her presence. She prefers to nestle in the sun next to the chair where I sit, she looks at me with her trusty gray snout and when I look around, Skipper sitting next to my chair against my leg, Lana holding her ball in front of my feet has thrown and is right in front of me, and Myla that next When my chair is in the sun, I feel surrounded by a warmth and affection that only dogs can provide.

Priceless moments

As I sit there, surrounded by my four-legged friends, I realize that these moments in our garden are priceless. It's a time when I disconnect from the worries of everyday life, a time when I disconnect from the feeling of having to do everything, a time when I relax and can fully focus on what really matters: love, friendship and cherishing precious moments.

My partner comes out with the morning coffee and as we quietly drink it our eyes look at us with their faithful eyes, full of trust and affection. I know they will always support us no matter what. Together we form a team, a family.

Playtime

When we finally throw that ball through the garden, we enjoy the sight of the dogs. Skipper and Lana who run after it in full action mode, and Myla who has moved to a spot under the trees, watching all the action calmly. They each enjoy themselves in their own way, run, jump, play, sleep ... they live as if they don't have a care in the world and I feel happy that they are part of our lives, and we get to be part of their life. They may be 'just dogs' to some people...but I feel blessed to have these beautiful dogs.

They are my 'everything'.