Rottweilers were used as butcher and draught dogs. Here some pictures 'Mr Google' found on behalf of me:





Considering this I bought a harness and now we are learning how to tow me down the gravel road! I will try to take some pictures (without falling off the bike - fingers crossed).

This morning temperatures dropped by 10*C (todays maximum 'only' 24*C). The magpies are enjoying the fresh air.



Clare prolongs her beauty sleep.



Meanwhile Kitty arrives and demands her breakfast.



And this event won't be missed by Clare.

But on the shallow Thompson Beach there are no dolphins. This dog has had more luck:

not my body temperature, it's the temperature outside at 9.30 a.m. Another hot day ahead. The night was not refreshing because of the lack of power from 10 p.m. on. No aircondition! Sigh.



Clare loves to play with the water hose

One of the hottest New Year's Eve since a decade - or so. Clare knows how to manage it:




http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/get-ready-for-a-scorching-new-years-eve/story-e6frea6u-1226233597475

I prefer to stay inside ( -> aircondition, cold drinks, ...)

HAPPY NEW YEAR. YEAH!

Clare has mercy on her stupid mistress!

Because I'm hitting her the whole day Clare is looking for some love - and Kitty usually starts licking her face.

about healthy food!



Although I added a decent amount of sour cream - each single piece of carrots has been licked properly. Spoiled dog.

...I decided to purchase a puppy.



I have been at the RSPCA shelter too, but there was nothing for me. Around 50 % American Staffordshire Terrier (or AmStaff cross): beautiful dogs if they are the solely animal at home - I know what I'm talking about. Because of the chooks and the horses next door I couldn't risk to take a terrier. Similar with the other breeds available: 25 % Kelpies and Heeler (absolute working dogs - I'm too old for entertaining a bored dog) and the rest lap dogs (and there mostly Tenterfield/ Jack Russel Terrier). But I needed a guard dog. The only larger breed: Labrador and Retriever: again hunting dogs, nothing for me. [I remember a guest dog, black Labrador 'Cloe' who chased and killed one of my hens. The comment of the owner: "She never ever did this before!" This didn't help.] The other difficulty: you never know what you get if you choose an adult dog. In the beginning they may be okay, but as soon as they settle in they may show their real character (there always is a reason for ending up in a shelter). Okay, I have kind of a bad conscience not to 'rescue' a dog from a shelter but I can be sure that the average stay for them is not too long. The real problem dogs do not find their way to a shelter anyway - they end up ... in nirvana.

Today I sent some photos of Clare to her breeder and I wrote about her sometimes exhausting behaviour. His response:

"Hi,
Thanks for photo she is a stunning dog
Stubborn that is the Rottie for the first three
Years after that they mellow
cheers"

Only two years to go!