Did I mention I was fast?

Oh, and while the parents walk the route, you can see that I'm doing my share of running around.

Did I mention I was fast? Yep, very fast. In fact, I'm something like 'Speedy Gonzales' ... the fastest Hund in all of Deutschland

Volksmarching machine

Well, we are really getting into the Volksmarching thing. Another day, another 11 km!

And while it looks pretty cold and foreboding out there, at least it was nice and sunny.

Check me out -- I'm such a noble beasty.

Silky Smooth

Oh boy, don't I look well groomed?

Well, perhaps my hair has not been cut (hey, the parents are still working up to that, and OBTW, it's freezing outside ;-)

But I certainly look very handsome and silky smooth, right? See how my butterscotch-colored hair just glistens?

Do you know why I look so silky smooth? Well check this out, and look how much I revel in being brushed.

Hair dryer? We don't need no stinkin' hairdryer!

OK, the bath is done, and I've been quickly buffed to get off some of the bath water. But now I need to take matters into my own hands, er, paws.

Time to do some rollin'. Watch my video and see how it's done. You really have to be ready for some vigorous exercise. Just imagine if this was your technique to dry off each morning -- boy, you'd get into great shape (like me ;-) in no time.

My own German spa

Well, now, there you go. I used to get my bath in the kitchen sink. I mean, really.

Now take a look at my luxurious bath tub. And it's all mine -- those crazy humans just use the shower.

This bath was after my long, wet Volksmarch, so it felt particularly nice and warm. Just like Dara's Doggie Day Spaw.

Though Mom and Alpha don't use a blow-dryer. They just towel me off and then ...

Well, you'll see tomorrow ;-)

Casting a long shadow

Who is that dashing and studly looking Yorkie?

Oh wait, that's moi (hee, hee).

Hey, what can I say -- when you've got it, flaunt it.

Now come on you guys, let's go catch those walkers up ahead. I need some more adoration.

Knee-deep in the white stuff

Once again, I note for the record, that Alpha will do *anything* to capture a Frito-a-Day picture.

And you know what that means ... the things I do for my fans!

Come on, Alpha, my knees are getting cold! ;-)

Not just fair-weather walkers

Sometimes it's sunny ....

.... and sometimes is cold, raining, muddy, slushy, icy and treacherously slippery!

But that just shows our level of dedication (on Day #2 of our Volksmarching opportunity).

I finished up just like a wet, cold rat. But Mom and Alpha had towels in the car, and they gave me a vigourous rub-down to make sure I was dry and warm. They are too good to me ;-)

Walking on air

Check this out. I'm having so much fun on my Volksmarch that, I'm actually walking on air!

Can you see it? Yep, that's me levitating ... just an amazing pooch!

Guess what we did?

It was soooo cool. We went Volksmarching! What is that, you ask?

Well, each weekend, in a different town somewhere in Germany (actually, in other countries as well), the IVV lays out some courses through the fields and woods (usually 5K, 10K, and 20K). Then you meet at the designated location and time, buy your ticket, and then take a walk (or some people run). Lots of people do this in Germany. It's a family activity, and a good way to get exercise (not that I need that, mind you).

Then at the end, you get little booklets stamped, and eventually after you've done lots of Volksmarches and/or lots of kilometers, you get a pin or badge or something -- we don't really know. But that's what my parents are after. They are pin collectors.

So hurry up Alpha -- you are holding up the show! (BTW, today we walked 11 km.)

Double layer, snowy chin

Sometimes when it's cold and snowy, Mom first puts on a sweater, and then follows that with my orange safety vest.

See what I mean? That was pretty wise in this case because I was bounding through the snow, sniffing and snuffling all along the way.

See my little snowy goatee? Like, crazy, man ;-)

We've got sledders

Right at the end of our street is a pretty steep path that takes us up to the road.

That's how we got to that field walk I showed you a few days ago.

But on this day, right after some snowfall, we had kids building jumps and sledding right down the path.

I was a good boy, though. I could have chased him, but I didn't ;-)

Did I mention it was cold?

I mean *really cold*. As in no sun cold, but still clear skies to let all the day's heat escape.

Ya see, we're on the north side of the trail. And ya see that trail marker in the foreground?


Well here is a close-up. It's been clear skies all day, yet take a look at those ice crystals.

Brrrr, makes me cold just looking at it. Hey, can I get a hot toddy when we get home?

Even better -- Mom's scarf

Actually, maybe I am just a little spoiled.

Ya see, Mom didn't just warm up my paws this time. She actually took off her scarf and wrapped it around me.

Awwww, that's why I love my Mommy! 'Cause she spoi..., er, takes really good care of me!

A little too cold and icy

It was frizzin' on this walk. The sun was no where to be found as we were on the north side of the trail.

After walking for a while, I got some ice stuck in my paws, so I just kinda stopped and looked pitiful.


That's when Mom picks me up and cleans off my paws for me. Then she carries me for a while, just to make sure I'm OK.

What would you call that: pampered or spoiled? Oh come on, so I'm a little bit pampered. Whadya expect -- did you see how cute I am?

Another drive, another walk

Ya see, even though I have great walks right out my back door, Mom and Alpha like to show me some sites too.

So we load up the little Honda Fit, and just take a drive. Alpha sets the TomTom for "avoid highways" and we just cruise all the country roads.

Then eventually, when it's time for a stop, they look for some cool woodland path. Like this one.

Now tell me ... am I a lucky dog or what?

Up on the ridge

How's this for a view. Right across the street from where we live. We can see this ridge (well, not quite this point) out our living room window.

What's great about it is that it is all fields (or little garden plots), and therefore gets full sun. Which is partcularly appreciated on these cold winter days.

Adding a little color

The forests around here -- in the winter anyways -- can be a little ... well ... brown (when they are not white ;-).

So I am quite sure that everyone appreciates the color I bring to the landscape. Don't you think?

That must be why they almost always smile when the see me. I'm very popular donchaknow.

Cool window

Here we are at another cool place -- Burg Hohenzollern -- just a short drive from our house.

Takes a little effort getting up here (get ready for an uphill walk), but it's pretty cool, and you get exercise too!


Take a look at the cool fortress, and get a partial glimpse of the amazing views from this place, high on a hill.

Also, you can tell these guys must be OK -- check out their coat of arms below. That's one of my ancestors there (though obviously not a particularly attractive one ;-)

Visiting Bebenhausen

Here's another cool photo from our walk around Bebenhausen. It's really a neat place.

Though upon some further research, it appears that this was an old Abbey used as a Cistercian monastey, and was probably built in 1183 (pssst, that's OLD).