Another day at the lake and another dog story.

The captain anchored the boat in the open water to let the people and dogs swim around. After a while when all persons were on board, the captain started towards the dock that was approximately 300 yards away.

All German shepherds but mine strenuously followed the boat. Belladonna swam to the shore instead and disappeared in the woods.

That act caused comments like: “Poor WV shepherd, getting lost because of being afraid of swimming”... I anxiously proceeded to dock in order to run to the woods and search for my furry friend.

"Look!” screamed someone. On the dock, in a triumphant pose, was standing my dog and I could swear, she was smiling. Hey, Belladonna, I'm honored to be your mistress. :) :) 

I've learned a new lesson. What is the biggest danger when you go with your dog for a swim?

It is not the depth of a lake, not the sunburn, not even the Loch Ness Monster...  It is your dog that wants  

to swim as close as possible to the beloved master and as a result its claws cut the skin on your arms 

and back.

I just drove into my garage, got out of the car                                       

when I suddenly faced - Max, my neighbors Terra and Jimmy's dog

with a rose between his teeth. 

It was a Valentine's Day and the rose was clearly for me.

I looked around but there was no one, just Max and me.

  I cleared my throut, took a picture and said: "Thank you!"

I consider my German shepherds very smart but they never bring me flowers. 

For Max, I opened a cane of meat.

Today, I put a piece of Janet's cake into the oven to broil it, as I always do in order to make it more crispy. In that moment, a friend called and I engaged myself in a lovely Christmas conversation.

Suddenly a horrible sound blared out and a loud voice rumbled: “Fire! Leave immediately!”

The noise upset the dogs; they started to bay.

“What is THAT?!” I called out scared and confused.

“FIRE!” the omnipresent voice continued.

My friend on the phone kept saying something but I couldn't hear her.

“LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!" sounded from the walls.

“Stop it!” I shouted back.

“Wuff! Wuff!” the dogs went crazy.

I noticed blue smoke billowed over the oven where I have forgotten my piece of cake.

“FIRE!”

“There is no fire!” I made a poor attempt to calm the almighty voice.

“Ruff! Ruff!”

“LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!” the voice was drilling itself into my brain.

How to turn it off? I couldn't concentrate.

“Owoooo!!!” the dogs started to howl.

When I finally composed myself enough to deactivate the alarm system, I heard someone pounding at the door.

I opened and got blinded by flashing police and fire truck lights. I took a deep breath. That was a moment when I needed to apply my best English...

“What about a cup of tea?” I asked and smiled at seven men in uniforms.

Janet's Christmas cake is in the meantime entirely gone and I must say they all liked it.

I was crossing the Coal River Bridge in St. Albans when all of a sudden pink sunshine appeared through the fog causing enchanting reflections in the water. Since I was alone in the middle of the bridge, I decided to stop for five seconds and take a picture. I jumped out of the car, took perhaps two steps toward the railing; then it happened! From out of nowhere, cars appeared from both directions and stopped. I gave up on taking the picture of course, placed a hand on my heart and bowed my head in a gesture of apology. I felt stressed imagining what the drivers thought, seeing a lunatic with an iPhone in hand standing in the middle of a busy bridge. My beloved city of Vienna came to mind where the people as fine and honorable would still punish me with irritated looks, angry honking or even calling: “Hey lady! What do you think you’re doing?!” I took a deep breath and looked up to those West Virginia drivers. What I saw again took my breath away. Not a single angry face. Everybody was smiling wide and showing their teeth like rows of pearls, some even waving at me. What kind and generous hearts! I smiled back, got into the car and unblocked the traffic. I felt gifted by those people. Gifted and happy. Merry Christmas! ❤️

Two days ago, I was trying to take my tea on the deck. Ten second later, I got unexpected company. As lovely as the were, I refused to give them their own tea cups. 😀

Today, since it’s 28 F and a freezing rain I made myself comfortable in front of the fire place. Suddenly Miss Roxie appeared in the window, watched me for some seconds and went to the table on the deck where I had recently drunk my morning tea. She straightened up putting her front paws on the table, gave me a bark and waited. It was so clear what she wanted that I directly felt overwhelmed.