Saturday morning we met with Fenna, Moët's sister, who lives in Amsterdam, for a nice, long walk around Gasperplass. It is so nice to see the sister's together. They look alike but still very different. Fenna is a very happy and sweet dog, with much energy. But when it comes to speed, noone seems to conquer Moët - she is sooo fast! 

Dear Saartje turned 14 years this week! Margot made a yummie cake with a little bit of everything on it and the dogs, who all got their own plate, were thrilled. Yatzie started barking from excitement before the cake was served. Saartje, just like very old people, needs to take a lot of pills every day to be able to walk. She has artrosis and some problems with her hips too. Lately she falls on her knees as we are out walking and sometimes she has a hard time getting up from a laying position. Every three months or so we give her an injection that gives her muscles strength. She is still very happy and eats well, so we hope we can enjoy her for yet some time, even though we know that the end might be here soon....

That is what people say when they see my newly shaved Moët! I mistakenly used the wrong shaving head... Once I realized it was too late to change so she is almost naked! 2 mm it was... The long haired teddy bear now looks more like an athletic antilope or some exotic djungle animal with a huge head and fluffy tail! It is nice though to see her well formed body and her gracious movements! So let the summer arrive! She is happy as ever, moving so easily around and staying longer to be cuddled in our laps. With all that hair she otherwise quickly gets hot and prefers to lay down on the floor by the balcony door.

Yatzie is also shaved, though not as short, and we are used to seeing her short haired. During her first years I always shaved her in the summer. Now it was two years ago, since I have tried to learn to handle the scissor. Now the dogs are ready for our vacation in Italy coming up in a few weeks!

Yatzie likes icecream and so do I! So we share. Yatzie eats from the bottom and I from the top! Margot and I had taken the bus to the city of Utrecht together with Yatzie and Moët this sunny Sunday. In the video we are sitting by the central canal, where we enjoyed watching the crowd and listening to a choir. Suddenly I hear them snging in Swedish! It was some international choir day and this Dutch choir performed songs from many countries. This video gives you a good feeling of what Utrecht is like, as well as of how simple it is to bring barbets along everywhere. They just relax and enjoy!

In our neighbourhood a dog playground was recently arranged/built. It is just a simple fenced in area where the dogs can play. A lot of dogs gather there and this day a wild wresteling game took place between Yatzie and Moët. Other dogs wanted to join in the fun but when the two barbets start playing noone else can get into the game!