Rainy Weather and Lazy Dog

I seem to have spent most of the day sleeping today. It's raining outside and my bed is warm and cozy. Also, I seem to feel a bit dopey in the morning and feel like I'm moving in slow motion. Yesterday a woman on the train told Bracha, "You're dog looks sick." Bracha knows I'm not sick and I know she'll always take care of me, but I think those little pills she is putting in my food are making me a little sleepy. We'll try them for a few more days and see.
And now there is what I guess is another Emma, only this one is a boy, and is called Tommy! I didn't get to see him yet because I had to stay on the terrace of Itai and Hilla's house, but Bracha helped me buy him a present - a little jump suit with a picture of a dog all across the front! I was so pleased! So I guess Bracha will have to cuddle this Tommy together with Emma, and I know there will always be room for me.

A Little Sick and a Little Curious

Today I am spending the day sleeping. I really had a bad night and made Bracha have a bad night, too. I woke up feeling very strange and went and woke Bracha up, too. She immediately got up to help me and took me outside. It was dark, cold, and rainy, and I was glad to get back inside, but I knew things were not right with me. So I woke Bracha up again. THis time when she took me outside I was sick, and then I guess I had another seez-your, because the next thing I remember I was standing in the yard barking at Bracha - something I never do. Bracha took me back inside and helped me get back to sleep. I felt so bad, and I know that we need some help. Bracha told me everything would be OK and that she would buy me medicine that Dr. Allison prescribed so that I wouldn't have any more epileptic attacks. So we will begin tomorrow. And now I think we both need a little sleep.
But before I stretch out in front ot the stove, I have to tell you that last week we met a man named Nadav. He has a white golden retriever named Merlin, and Merlin is a champion breeding dog. Nadav took one look at me and told Bracha that he things Merlin is my father! o we will have to check this out! And he did say that I was beautiful. ANd I know that even though I kept Bracha up half the night last night, she thinks so, too.
52

To the Dead Sea and Back

I think after two days I've recuperated enough from all our travels to write about our trip to many different places. We started out with some challenging walks through the grottos at Rosh Hanikra, where it was very dark inside and rather slippery. We had to ride down in a cable car, but I've done that before. At one point I jumped up onto the stone wall and was about to leap into the lovely blue water when Bracha held me back. Why is it that every time I want to go swimming Bracha doesn't let me?

We went on to see the fortress at Yehiam and Acco. I had to lead Bracha down a long tunnel. It was dark inside and there were lighted places in the floor that looked like they were big deep holes, so I lead Bracha around them very carefully. Then we walked back along the tunnel again, and down and up lots of stairs. It was hard work, but I knew I could handle it. We also walked through Zfat and Bracha said we would not go into the old synagogue, but surprisingly a nice man stepped outside and insisted that Bracha go inside with me. I walked carefully around in there and had a good rest in the car, but soon we were climbing all over more stairs and steps in Beit Sean.
In the evening we got to a strange sea. There were no waves in it, and it had a strange smell. The next morning we went down to the water and Bracha and everyone went in. Now I'm not sure why, but Bracha told me I could not swim in this sea. She said it would not be good to get the water in my eyes because it's very salty. So I had to lie on the shore and watch. What strange things people do!

South and Back Again

Well, we really did go to Eilat and back again. So many friends! Petel, of course, and Larry, Tango, Turner, Nellie, Disney, Hero, Rega, Yvonna, and a brand new dog Paris who came all the way from America. She's fulll of pepper, piss and vinegar - even more than me. And I ran away twice at the hotel, too. Yep, I got into my share of mischief, but I was really well-behaved in the dining room and on the bus, and worked very hard in the mall and on the hikes outside. Petel and I, of course, were ever so pleased to see each other. And Bracha bought us both bones and treats.

Now I have to tell you about this airplane thing. It really wasn't much after all. It looked like a large bus high in the air standing on wheels with wings. But inside it was sort of like a bus or a train. I just curled up at Bracha's feet, felt the engines start and the whole thing move, and dozed off. Everyone asked Bracha if she had given me something to sedate me. Nope, she explained, I was just doing my usual thing when I am traveling and don't need to work...sleeping! But when we got to the airport Bracha was very confused and didn't know where to go. Some nice people helped us and even found a little spot of grass for me to do busy. And then we were on the train and on the way home!

Now Bracha is back at work and riding that bike with her friend Nir. I like the doggie footprints on the pretty shirt Bracha got, but I don't think much of Bracha going out riding and I can't come.

Hey Daroma! (Hey, Southward)

When I saw Bracha putting several little bags of dog food and two brand new bones and two treats that they gave us at the pet store into a suitcase, I knew something big was up. Yep, we are going to Eilat for four days! And Petel and I get to be in a room together! ANd on the way back we get to go on a plane! I'm so excited I can hardly sit down. I think it will be lots of fun, and Bracha has promised me that being on a plane will be just like riding on a train or bus.
We have lots to do before we leave. First of all, the hair on my paws needs to be trimmed. It is so long that it is liable to get caught in escalators or cracks, so we need to go out into the orchard and lay down and have a good grooming session. ANd then we will be all set!

Keeping up Our Old Agreement

Ever since the last time I got ill and had a sees your last Friday Bracha has been very watchful of me and reassuring. We still do everything together as we always do, and yesterday I worked beautifully – taking Bracha all over Tel Aviv and right to the bus that takes us to Rotem's school.

But on the way Bracha took me on the bus to a place where we had never been before. As soon as Bracha told me to turn right and go into the entrance to a building with a pretty little garden in front and a sign that had the names of several doctors on it, I knew right away that this was undoubtedly a veterinary clinic. Don't ask how I knew. I just knew. I did my best to plant all four feet on the sidewalk just like I do in front of Avi's clinic in Nahariya, but Bracha told me we had to go in and said there was no choice. When we got inside everyone was very good to me and admired me a lot. But I did have to have a needle poked in me and the doctor took some of my blood out. I was scared, but Bracha held me and reassured me, and then gave me a treat. The rest didn't hurt. The nice vet looked in my ears, felt me all over, and turned off the lights and shone a little flashlight in my eyes. Then she took me into the next room and weighed me. And then she and Bracha sat down to talk. Bracha reassured me afterwards and told me that there is a kind of medicine that will help me and keep me from having any more sees yours. I really don't like them. They make me feel funny beforehand and afterwards I'm very confused. So we have to wait and see what happens. I know that Bracha still loves me and will take care of me. She might even love me more now that she knows that I might have to take medicine, and if I do she promised she'd give it to me every day. That way we can keep up our agreement – I take care of Bracha and she takes care of me! And best of all – when we got back from Tel Aviv I was covered in yucky black soot from the sidewalks and I really needed a bath. So off to the river we went! And it's running with lots of water now! Just the way I like it!

Is that me under the table?

I never had such a week. Evening after evening Bracha would take me out and all I ended up doing was sitting under the table. There were a lot of people around. There was a lot of excitement, kissing and hugging and shouting and laughing and I admit I did get petted and admired a lot. but mostly I ended up under the table and not being allowed to have food. Finally on Friday I lost it. There were two cakes on the table, and let's just say that when I got through there were one and two thirds cakes on the table. By that time Bracha had understood that I was having a rough time. All that partying and none for me. It was the kibbutz reunion and I was new to everyone. But Bracha didn't get too angry at me. That was because she was concerned because I had, or I think I had, another sees your. So that makes two.
So I have epilepsy. Bracha and I discussed it and she reassured me that I was still her dog and that she would make sure we will work together like always. I know she'll help me. I felt so confused and unhappy afterwards. So we will talk with a special vet who knows about these things. He'll know what to do.