Old Visitor, New Year

Quickly the events since New Years Eve: Angie has not yet got back to her normal hyperactive state and simply didn't feel up to having anyone over. So a quiet evening, animals protection measures at 23:45 then to the front gate to try and spot the village fireworks through the fog and drizzle.There did seem to be more this year but the weather made it rather subdued. We then had a private display put on by the "B's" on the hill (bump) opposite the house. Thanks B&P. I had a floodlight at the gate and at one point put it down with it shining directlyin to the sky & trees above and then saw a poor liitle bird, maybe a sparrow, robin or tit sitting on a branch and not moving a milimeter. Poor thing!

Today: Old young friend Maria and her boyfriend came by on their way to a hotel an hour from here to spend a day or two with friends including Angie's niece Steffi who should have been travelling with them but was still trying to find the starting blocks.

Maria has been part of our life since 1995. I think I have written about her several times so will spare you all the tales. Suffice to say Rosie & Asyr the horses are always pleased to see her - Flash loses 10 years when she appears and doesn't leave her side. Poor Luna flees from his over active, puppy like jumping around.

Thought it might be interesting to Back-Blip Maria back in 1998 with Rosie (maybe I will find an older photo one day) and one in 2003 with Flash when he had just come to us as a puppy.

Great to see them both and sad to see them have to go so quickly again.

In the evening I took the dogs for a walk near the village lakes. Ten minutes in to the walk with the sun just set, some fireworks were set off nearby - Flash dashed for cover, Luna was weary. Retrieved Flash and continued when in the semi darkness a largish dog ran up to us but put off by Lunas dreadful jealous snapping and my telling her off, dashed off again in the direction of the main road and after that the railway tracks.

Trying to shout in a calm voice, managed to get the dog back and grabbed its collar. No lead so was dragged a kilometer back to car, mine in the back and refugee on the back seat. Then a cruise around the village, several in fact but not a sign of a hysteric welly wearer, in our village no sign of anyone. Had just pulled up at MrB's to see if he, as one of the local hunters, recognised the dog, when the other official hunter pulled up, Bello who knows everyone and everything  - No idea. Then to Farmer Christian who was just finishing milking - no idea, not from here, I know all the dogs. Set off to next village and although appearing to be strolling very calmly I did ask two ladies if they were missing a dog - No, but why? Having taken a photo they continued to the local pizzeria for the planned meet with three other friends, all dog owners. As I later saw, they also posted the photo in Facebook.

I gave up and went home forcing Angie to break her sauna routine to phone police in Mindelheim, our vet in Ottobeuren, our friend Michael who runs the animal rescue in Memmingen (and thus automatically the police there). She went back to sauna and I posted on Facebook and Ebay small classifieds. Not having a clue as to what to do on Facebook sent a help message to friend Kathi in Memmingen and then it all happened at rapid speed. Farmer Franz called as he had heard the news, he might know something and would get back.

Eventually the call cam and Pollux, a 6 year old, Greece rescued, Lab Mix was reunited at 10:00pm with his owners who were indeed from our village. Relief all around but especially from Luna who was the worst host would could imagine (extra photo).

Have to give a big compliment to all who helped especially the countless young Facebookers who spread the world like wildfire (obver 600 shares in a very rural area) "Hat off", as they say here, to you all.

Good Deed done for the year (I pledged to Blip last year).