Zane and Arran are, by and large, a lot easier going than their predecessors, Flea and MacGregor, were.  They don’t bark or bay as much as Flea and MacGregor did, and they tend to nap more.  Still, it’s stressful being in Germany with dogs because our dogs haven’t been trained the way most German dogs have.  I’m in a hotel right now, trying very hard to keep them quiet and contained.  The hotel is in a rather busy area compared to the hotel we were in last time we moved here.  There aren’t as many places to walk them in peace.  I just took two laps around a relatively busy city block to give the maid time to clean the room.  I’m glad that’s over with, since I’m always afraid they’re going to do something offensive.

Hell, just a little while ago, Zane took a dump outside.  I cleaned it up, then hesitated before I threw it away.  Germans are very particular about trash.  I think it was alright to put the crap in the outdoor trash receptacle, but I’m always afraid someone is going to yell at me in German.  We also seem to have chosen a hotel that is not long on English speakers.  It’s actually a pretty nice hotel and somewhat reasonably priced, but it’s not ideal for pets.  Zane pitches a fit whenever both of us leave him alone, so that makes it hard for me to get things done.

We ran out of dog food yesterday, so I’m hoping Bill will be able to stop at the commissary and pick up some more.  This morning, they’ve had pizza crusts and peanuts to eat.  Poor things.

Some lady at the Frankfurt airport had a beautiful daughter and an equally beautiful beagle.  She approached me yesterday and started speaking German.  I answered that I am American.  She told me about her dog, then expressed concern about mine, since they were in their carriers whimpering.  I explained that they had been in their carriers for about twelve hours and wanted to get out, but otherwise they were really fine.  I think many Germans can’t fathom bringing animals with them on such long trips, but the alternative is to be jobless or rehome the dogs, which Bill and I weren’t willing to do.  We love our dogs and want them with us.

Ironically, since a lot of American servicemembers abandon their pets in Germany, a lot of German dog pounds don’t allow Americans to adopt their animals unless a German friend can vouch for them.  We all get painted with the same broad brush.  Bill and I are devoted dog lovers, though we probably should have spent more time in hunde schule with our pooches.  😉

Arran passed out in our German hotel room…