The paw gang, not a pack, I don’t like this term, because it is shaped by nature. I prefer to call them family or group because man has brought them together and joined them. Young and old, team players and loners. It’s just like in real life. Life with them is far less unspectacular than you might think. My dogs are like other living beings, sometimes in a bad mood, sometimes cheerful, cheeky, unwilling, in need of cuddling, whiny, affectionate, anxious, lovable, and sometimes incomprehensible.
The real work with them lies in being able to reassess them again and again, to redirect problems, because no two days are the same. I have to be attentive, if I am not, the group develops its own dynamics. There are days when everything goes smoothly. There I can enjoy the walks, there is peace in the group. There are other days when I want to give them all to the next best and have my peace.
Very important when living with many dogs is a clear structure, clear rules, good time management, and good friends who also step in an emergency.
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“The normal day is unspectacular”
The normal day is unspectacular. Waking up, getting up – every dog is different. One jumps up immediately, the other uses the bed as a bouncy castle and the dwarf pinschers crawl out very slowly under their blankets. The cockers run through the stairwell with roars, so that everyone gets to know “Hello, new day, we are here”. Pointer girl Tammy (re. more about Tammy’s story you can find out here) is lost on the stairs, surely there is again somewhere a monster that frightened her, I have to help her. Then out into the garden and immediately all mucksmäuschen are silent. One of the moments when I am proud of my educational attempts.
Education: One or the other can sit, sit, stay. More important to me, however, is the social competence that they can cope with humans and animals. They don’t jump over the table and benches, so they’re well-behaved.
“Who likes what, who gets which medications”
The first walk of the day is not very long. On the one hand, all dogs are a bit older and on the other hand, I am of the opinion that romping together in the garden is more than tapping through streets on a leash. Breakfast – is always exciting. Everyone is hobbling and pays close attention so that I don’t forget anyone. Who likes what, who gets which medications. Cocker girl Bixy (below) doesn’t like it today. She’s too old and sick to sit out, so she gets something especially delicious.
Everyone else eats and controls each other’s bowls. Zwergpinscher Puck puts his innocent expression on “my bowl was empty, I didn’t get anything”, his ball belly says otherwise. For me, a coffee, then another garden round, dogs divide who can stay alone with whom. Since Theo is blind and demented, a bit of caution is required. He doesn’t like too much hustle and bustle and can get into trouble. Quickly collect the dog blankets for the laundry and wipe briefly through the apartment. And while I earn the food money, my son goes for a walk with the second group of dogs.
“It is very clear to see that together they are stronger, louder, cheekier”
Lunch break – the dogs are fun in the garden and for one or the other, there are educational attempts. Theo (below) plays with the rubber animal (Skippy), he orients himself on the smell, throws it up, and looks for it. He is in a good mood. But sometimes he also lives in his demented world, then he does not find his way around, stops, calls for me, and does not like the closeness of the others. In the afternoon we go back to the forest or to the field, often friends go here with their dogs because together it is more fun. We go in separate groups, the old can not keep up with the pace of the young and one or the other sometimes prefers to cuddle. It can be clearly seen that together they are stronger, louder, and cheekier and sometimes stumble.
Stress only arises when we encounter dog owners who do not understand that it is not a good idea to let their dog run into a group of leashed dogs “just let go of them”. Yes, no, that’s for sure. Fear dog Tammy alone in the forest – a terrible idea. Or the blind Theo.
“At least one dog always comes along”
The paw gang has to look for the food in the evening later in the garden. Only the special cases get something extra. And then everyone lies comfortably on their blankets, pillows and yes, also on the sofa. Pub visits are not in it for me, honestly, I don’t attach any importance to that. Friends like to come because “with you, there is always something to cuddle”. Visiting friends, never alone. At least one dog always comes along. The visits are planned so that there is always someone on the spot who can look after the dogs. The girls (Honey, Toni and Bixy, left) always come along when I visit an old 92 year old lady. She loves the dogs and the dogs love them.
“It’s just as much their home as mine“
In our home, there are dog baskets everywhere, dog pillows, blankets on the sofas. Where I am are the dogs. Everything is somehow dog-friendly but still cozy. What should not go unmentioned is that it is not possible without a garden. And since neither I nor the dogs have a green thumb and the paw gang is great at destroying small plants, we understand each other there too. Fruit is also there for the dogs. Many strawberries, raspberries, and other berries are eaten. They even get the peaches directly from the tree – but what the heck? It is just as much their home like mine and that’s why they have their own apple tree from which they can pick and eat the apples. So everything is quite normal. Actually 🙂
“I chose it myself”
Life with 7, yes 7 dogs is never boring. And it is not self-sacrificing either. Some may now look astonished, incredulous, pitiful. I chose it myself. 4 of the dogs were foster dogs and stayed with me. It fit. And anyone who sees them all, who walks with them, enjoys nature with them, feels their love, and feels how one or the other pushes his nose under his armor into his hand, will understand it. Oh yes, there is still the eighth place. But it is currently unoccupied. This is the place where a new foster dog will eventually move. A former foster dog is Beagle Rubi, who has been accommodated by the paw gang for a while. Here you can find their story. But at the moment I have fear dog Tammy, the blind Theo, and the old sick Bixy. As well as Toni, Honey, Oscar, and Puck (photo below: Oscar and Puck). And how could it be otherwise, there are still the cats Pinuu and Tiffy.
