A "Sandmännchen"
for
Sam's Giardino
Since September 2009, our Internet connection,
telephone and fax lines were running hot from "dog talks" - it
proved impossible to trace a Bernese puppy in our part of the world! With the very
kind help of Marion Brown, the breeder of Einstein and Ornella, as well
as another Bernese fan in South Africa, we got
lucky in Germany and today proudly introduce the latest addition to the
Giardino team: Björn vom Sandmännchenhof.
Update July 2010: After some more nerve-racking months of waiting
for Björn's arrival, he finally landed safely and in good spirits with
us in Swakopmund, in January 2010 - what a relief!
And what a cute bundle of fun and energy he
was! The Giardino team and our premises were "conquered" in no time at
all, rough 'n tumble soon became the favourite sport, with each of four
paws and two ears flying in all directions - no problem for him to work
up a healthy appetite. But, as expected, he also has got a more serious,
rather philosophical side to him and so we stuck to our chosen name:
Beethoven.
Thanks to the wonderful support of the
breeder, the Sandmann Family, we
were able to follow developments since the birth of Björn/Beethoven and his
siblings.
So here comes a short history, which we will keep updating too:
May 2010
"This ball thing
just doesn't want to play with me. Hot tip, anyone?" |
"Oh, sweet easy
life - I feel a nap coming on. Are our guests contagious?"
|
 Only
24 hours later ...
Beethoven welcomed his
first new canine friend and soon the two of them chased around the
Giardino garden, until legs went all wobbly and tongues were hanging
out.
"What do you think, Speedy, ready to go again or are you
getting too old for this?" |
... then a quick first dip in the
goldfish pond,
... finding a juicy shoe to nibble on,
and learning what a cactus does ...
... and Beethoven immediately
felt at home.
"Hi Guys, I'm in Namibia - life is great here!
Got my own swimming pool
and toys to die for, the sun is shining, food is plenty, super
people everywhere, the garden is huge with nice plants flowering all
year round ... well, some are just prickly but it doesn't matter.
And I'm learning Swiss German and English, can you believe it?! Hope
to see you soon." |
Week
12 (13.-18.01.2010):
In Namibia at last - and
finally at home in Swakopmund!
After getting
Beethoven used to the transport box, Mr Sandmann, the breeder, took
it upon himself to drive our puppy from to the check-in at Frankfurt
Airport, on 12 Jan 2010 - a long exhausting trip under the worst
winter conditions Germany had seen in decades.
Air Namibia and their crew fortunately were able to stick to
schedule too and ensured that our precious cargo slept safe and
sound through the 10-hour flight.
The vet and ground crew at Windhoek's Hosea Kutako Airport also
spared no effort in making the immigration procedures as painless as
possible.
And last but not least, friends in Windhoek and Swakopmund provided
Beethoven with an opportunity to stretch legs on Namibian soil for
the first time as well as with a comfortable ride to Swakopmund
together with his new "Dad", Sam.
In the afternoon of 13 January 2010, Beethoven had finally arrived
at home!
THANK YOU ALL for your support in giving this adventure a happy
ending. |
 Week
6 (15.12.2009):
A confident little fellow,
it seems!
Even though most of
Björn's siblings with lower birth weights caught up by now, he
remained one of the sturdiest built in the litter and looks set to
become a big boy. This week's adventure highlight was the first
outing into the breeder's garden and the first experience of snow
(13.12.09).
 | |
 We just
heard that Björn's brother Brian will live rather close to us, in South Africa
- that's exciting news too. Thanks a lot, Christel & family,
for getting us in touch with the Sandmann Kennel! We hope to meet you
some time, may be even at a "Bernese Reunion" in
Namibia... |
And then came the
BIG DAY (29.11.) -
the very first family
excursion into the open air. How exciting!
Around the same time, some of the pups started exercising barks
and growls.
 |
Nearing 4 weeks of
age (22.11.), the
boisterous youngsters have to get used to swapping mom's "milk
bar" for more solid puppy food.
In the meantime, "Mr. Blue" was officially registered under the
name "Björn vom Sandmännchenhof" and became a fully paid up
member of the Giardino team.
 |
At
9 days of age (7.11.),
Mr. Blue's eyes were open and
he took his first steps (left). By 15.11.2009,
his world had gotten
more noisy and colourful (right).
  |
1 week later
(4.11.2009) ...
eyes still closed and sticking together closely.
Our "Mr. Blue" (left) with
his brother "Mr. Green"
|
2 days young
(30.10.2009): Mister Blue
On 28 October
2009, a litter of 2 boys & 5 girls was born at the
Sandmännchenhof Kennel in Markranstädt near Leipzig, Germany.
Proud parents are Yukon-Buddy vom Oberholzer Forst and Gladys
vom Kaltenborner Wäldchen.
Our "Mr. Blue" was born 09h05 in the morning and weight 543
grams, the 2nd heaviest of them all.
 |
|
