Martin Daraby Chambon-Marques

Happy family

2011-06-12T11:32:00.002+02:00

Martin is becoming more and more of a nice dog. Exceptionnally sweet and cuddly, even if sometimes he's forcing people in the street to give him cuddles. We call him a « cuddle slut », he seems to see from afar who will give him attention and goes to them, looking cute. I wish I had the same people skills!

Martin and Philippe seem quite happy together. Philippe is almost an adult, he's 37kg and is becoming also sweet. He is even starting to listen. They play a lot together, sleep together, lick each other and even the cat sleeps with them at night.

In the garden

2011-06-02T11:30:00.000+02:00

We closed the garden so the dogs can go in it and not run away everywhere on the island. They love it.

Me so sexy

2011-03-20T11:44:00.004+01:00

At the sea

2011-01-15T11:46:00.002+01:00

Cuddles

2010-08-19T23:12:00.000+02:00

Cuddle with Lewis

2010-08-18T22:46:00.000+02:00

Grey hair

2010-08-03T13:10:00.003+02:00

Martin is around his fifth year of existence. He's growing grey hair around his mouth, which is a typical grown up Labrador thing. It makes him cute.

At the same time, it also means that Martin is more or less at the half of his life (8 years for the unlucky ones, 14 years for the lucky ones). It makes me a little sad already, because you suddenly realize that the best dog you've ever met isn't here forever.

Dogs are like people in many aspects. Also in the sense that some are good dogs, some are bad dogs, and a few are quite exceptional. Martin belongs to the exceptional category: most people remember him, his name (more than mine!) and actually ask for his company. They know that he may be masculine and muscled, but that he's also very sweet and full of attention.

He cheers up people, also in bad situation, including junkies and hobos, but I noticed that bad people don't like him. They're not nice to other people, they're not nice to animals either. And Martin is very sensitive to that.

Travel

When I travel I miss him more than family and friends. Mostly because we can't have this body language thing, the cuddles and because he can't read emails.

Even though Lewis thinks the dogs shouldn't be separated, I'd like to travel with Martin again. He's a nice and obedient companion, in an intelligent way: I don't have to have him leashed all the time, he mostly knows what to do and when to follow.

I took him to the Gay Pride in the Province, he managed to become the mascot of the Schiphol Marechaussee and get cuddles from more or less anyone. I wish I had his social skills, sometimes...

Martin is a lovely dog

2010-08-01T12:55:00.001+02:00

It's been a while since we posted something here. It's just that there is nothing spectacular happening in Martin's life. He's a sweat dog, very loving and listening (almost) all the time. We moved to the Western Islands in Amsterdam (Westelijke Eilanden), so he gets to swim in the IJ river quite often and/or play at the Westerpark.

His little brother Philippe is now almost completely grown up. Although Philippe is bigger than Martin, Martin feels like he's responsible for the pack. He's very protective and is not afraid of bigger dogs when it comes to defending "the little one".

Martin's biggest problems are small dogs. Many of them are not socialized properly and are very very agressive, barking whenever a bigger dog come along. Sometimes it goes wrong because these little dogs attack Martin and Philippe and Martin attacks back. Afterwards it looks like Martin butchered the poor little dogs but for real it's more the other way round.

Another of Martin's problems is that he likes human attention. He sometimes enters people's homes to get cuddles and not everyone likes that. We are trying to punish him and make clear that it's not something we want, but he's such a cuddle slut that he doesn't listen. Fortunately, most people who have no problems with Lab cuddles remember him and are actually looking for his company...

Day with Friends @ Wijk aan Zee

2009-05-18T21:11:00.003+02:00

Update ...

2009-05-18T21:02:00.002+02:00

Martin's daily schedule is currently boring; sleeping, eating and tiny walks in the area. It is difficult for Martin to be socially exclused but it is for the best. He is doing a lot better and is aware of the fact that his leg is slowly improving. In a few weeks time I am sure he will be running, swimming and jumping around again as if nothing happened.

Think twice ...

2009-05-16T10:39:00.002+02:00

Martin seems to be less bothered by with the fact that he does not have full control over his leg.

The Vet was happily surprised to see a major improvement in Martin's situation and prescribed Prednoral (Prednisone) or simply "steroids" for short. This drug helps to decrease inflammation and it seems to be working. The only downside may include weight gain and this is for a Labrador not what you call a welcome side effect.

Update ...

2009-05-15T12:04:00.004+02:00

Today Martin is doing much better. He seems to be aware of the fact that his left hind leg is not working properly. What injury triggered this sudden semi paralyzed leg? My guess is a good as any so-called vet and/or Orthopedic doctor so it seems.

We decided to let nature take its course, giving the fact that endless tests does not benefit Martin nor our nerves. I honestly think that the only party benefiting from stressful (needless) tests are those whom decided to make a living of clueless pet owners.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

2009-05-14T16:51:00.020+02:00

Two days ago Martin misstepped himself and is now currently limping with his left hind leg. A visit to the Vet seemed to be the next logical thing to do. Since the Vet could not diagnose the cause of Martin limping, we made an appointment with Orthopedic doctor. An orthopedic doctor is a surgeon who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and skeleton-related problems.

After thoroughly examining Martin two X-rays were made. For the untrained eye there is not much to see other than a few bulging spinal discs. (see picture) It is still unsure what is causing Martin to limp, leaving us restless and worried.

In order to find out what is wrong with Martin, the Orthopedic doctor suggested a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) total cost EUR 850. Since no one really knows what's causing Martin to limp, I am hesitant to make Martin go through endless examinations leaving us with nothing to show for. Our insurance is covering most of the expenses but that is not what we are after. Lots of Vetinarians and other specialists seem to push you in undergoing unnecessary examinations, just so they can make an extra buck or two. Out of love for your pets we are ready to do just about anything for them. Nevertheless, this money making businesses are abusing and taking advantage of those owning pets, telling you indirectly that you do not love your pet unless you are willing to do everything necessary to make your pet healthy again.

Sunny days

2009-04-02T20:41:00.002+02:00

Fun in Schoorl

2009-02-23T20:12:00.007+01:00

Martin in Schoorl

2009-02-22T20:59:00.002+01:00

Pic by Alix.

A little brother ...

2008-12-31T18:55:00.029+01:00

Totally unaware of the fact that we are currently in the process of getting Martin a little brother, we are slowly trying to familiarize Martin with new toys and drop the puppy's name every now and then. Of course another male choc Labrador, what else *smile*

May I introduce ...

Philippe Duponant Chambon-Marques

Born November 17th at Breeder IJsven Bergeijk - Netherlands

PHILIPPE - A personal name, derived from the Greek Philippos (Φίλιππος), meaning "lover of horses" or "friend of horses".

DUPONANT - Meaning "from the west" In French it is an old navy word for west (in opposite to Levant).

MARQUES - The name Marques comes from the ancient culture of France. It was a Norman name for a nobleman who ranked just below the level of an Earl and is derived from the Old French word Marquis which signified this lofty position.

CHAMBON - as family name, Chambon comes from the Frank "ham" (strong), gallicized in "chamb", easier to pronounce for Gallo-Roman populations, to which the case subject -on was added. It is a very old French family name. Most of the Chambon names come from Auvergne.

Philippe will make his grand appearance on Saturday January 3rd 2009. He will be having his own blog then, so do not forget to go to check it out @ philippeduponant.blogspot.com.

Martin, Nr. 1 Fetcher

2008-12-28T16:37:00.002+01:00

After I had enough of the fetching game, Martin still manages to bring the ball back to me.

Wrong Body Syndrome?

2008-12-28T15:21:00.005+01:00

Many times I have asked myself; when we got Martin 3 years ago ... did we in fact get a dog or a Beaver? Labradors are known to be water rats but Martin takes the cake.

Martin showing off his good side, being a model ...

2008-12-28T14:58:00.008+01:00

Martin @ Normandie

2008-12-28T14:43:00.007+01:00

If there is one thing Martin loves more than anything in the world ... it's acting like a true rebel,showing muscle and his ability to be one with nature.

Weekend at the Veluwe

2008-11-30T21:49:00.005+01:00

Temperature: 1°c
Humidity: 99%
State of Martin, the daddies and the clothes after the weekend: tired and muddy.
But happy.

Martin + friends @ Sea

2008-04-27T19:04:00.001+02:00

Two and a half

2008-04-15T13:24:00.007+02:00

Martin is now two and a half years old. In six month he will be a full grown adult. Obviously he will remain quite a short Lab, and also a cute one. For French standard he is alright. For Dutch standards, he is on the short side. He was the smallest of the nest.
We know him quite well now. He has a mind of his own, cannot resist playing with colourful objects or other dogs. He loves children and water, need a lot of affection, listens quite well and loves to hunt for objects or cats. He never bites, unless he is attacked by another dog. He has a good dog étiquette: sits before meeting, greets properly, never agressive... We're really proud of him.

It's a lovelee dae

2008-04-15T13:20:00.006+02:00

On a nice sunny spring day in North Poitou, Émilie made nice pix of Martin...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilie-bm/

On the road again

2008-04-15T13:17:00.006+02:00

Martin loves to fetch sticks. Émilie made pictures of Martin waiting for the stick to be thrown somewhere on the road to Mousseau... Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilie-bm/

Martin @ Bussum

2008-04-15T13:16:00.001+02:00

A friend took Martin to Bussum, near Amsterdam, where he had loads of fun with kids...

On Daddy's lap

2008-01-06T00:35:00.000+01:00

After a long day in Paris, Martin needs special attention. So he gets a cuddle on Daddy's lap. Looks weird, I know, but he loves being treated like a small baby.

Ice ice, baby

2008-01-04T00:39:00.000+01:00

While we were in Paris's suburb (Massy to be exact), it froze like hell. Or just not, actually. Anyway. Martin loved it and didn't miss one opportunity to go play outside, day or night.
He tried to jump in the lake... to find himself on decimeters of ice, sliding. He then tried to make it melt by licking it. He didn't work but all the passers by did laugh a lot. Clown as he is, he stayed on the ice, sliding, happy to get everyone's attention.

Martin @ the beach

2007-12-04T17:14:00.000+01:00

In the forest

2007-11-05T17:15:00.001+01:00

Bloemendaal

2007-09-29T11:19:00.001+02:00

Who's got a nice cushion?

2007-09-26T12:13:00.000+02:00

Lovin' the rain

2007-08-26T23:22:00.001+02:00

Taking the train

2007-08-26T12:06:00.000+02:00

Martin took the Thalys with me to Paris and back to Amsterdam and did behave really well for such a young and enthusiastic dog. He mostly slept and cuddled. He also showed his sniffing talents by spotting a couple of mice in a little cage at the other end of the wagon. Wow, that's a sense of smell!
Martin even had his own ticket. Thalys is not getting poor from the dogs: no special space, no water, nothing, but they do have to have a ticket, not even cheap. Check on the ticket, it says "chien" ("dog" in French), and 2nd class.

Fontaine des Innocents

2007-08-26T12:00:00.001+02:00

I took Martin with me to Paris. He behaved really well and got really popular in the métro, especially with girls. What a chick magnet! Since he had been so nice the whole day, I took him to the Fontaine des Innocents, near les Halles. He had loads of fun there, and made tourists happy by acting weird in the fontain so they could take cool pictures. At some point, he jumped on the fontain and found himself so far from the ground that he didn't dare jumping back. He tried a lot of possibilities, cried a bit, tried to look cute to get help from people, but finally just jumped and survived it. What a clown!

"Reading the newspapers makes me sleep"

2007-08-26T11:59:00.001+02:00

In Poitou

2007-08-11T17:32:00.000+02:00

Martin is having fun in Poitou (here in Angles-sur-l'Anglin): so many rivers, so many lakes... (photos: Émilie Broudy-Masson)

Gros dodo

2007-08-01T10:45:00.002+02:00

This morning Martin played like crazy at the park and, of course, plunged in the lake. So afterwards it was time for a "gros dodo" (big nappie) in all positions possible. Isn't he growing?

Fredriksplein

2007-07-30T11:56:00.000+02:00

One day, I was walking with Martin unleashed (not allowed but it's a good exercise) near the Dutch National Bank (Nederlandsche Bank) when suddenly he ran away like crazy. I ran after him and found him in a fountain I didn't even know existed. Martin, Labrador as he is, had spotted the place from afar, even hidden behind trees. Ever since, he's completely in love with the place and I take him regularly there if he's been a goof boy.
The other day we came back from the far suburb, out of the metro, and I decided to take him there. It was late, so the fountain was beautifully lit.

Jean-Louis's refuge

2007-07-28T15:24:00.001+02:00

When Martin is too buzy following his masters around the house, Jean-Louis the cat can do what he likes best. Enjoy the bed and be deliciously warm.

Loulou dancing with Martin

2007-07-13T18:41:00.000+02:00

Nap time

2007-07-11T18:05:00.001+02:00

Sometimes it's nap time. And Martin joins very actively. He's a very relaxed dog, changing position regularly.

Cuddles

2007-07-11T17:57:00.001+02:00

When he's been a good doggie, Martin is allowed on the bed. He really loves it.

Martin in Limousin...

2007-05-05T22:43:00.000+02:00

Martin's gay secret boyfriend

2007-04-13T22:40:00.000+02:00

There is a dog at the park who is gay and completely head over heels in love with Martin. Some people (including his owner) think it's embarrassing, but it's actually quite cute. When Martin comes along, this dog tries to mount him (OK, that's not always cute), but also wants to be with Martin all the time. He even follows him in the water (even though he's no Labrador and doesn't have a double fur). He barks at other male dogs approaching him too much. In doggy language it should be something like "Keep off of my man!"...
His owner told me that when he sees Martin he doesn't eat of the whole day and looks a bit weird, like he's lost in his thoughts. Isn't that cute?

Martin loves kids

2007-03-11T11:12:00.000+01:00

It's not very clear on these pics (send by my parents) but Martin is learning to deal with kids (here my nephew Marie, almost 2 years old). He loves kids but has to learn how to control himself around them, since he's so big (he's a biiiiig puppy). Good doggie, Martin!

From outer space

2007-03-08T11:15:00.000+01:00

We never knew Martin was from another planet, untill we got this picture made by a friend in Brussels... Now I'm scared.

October / Brussels

2007-02-04T19:02:00.000+01:00

Some pix Mehmet took in Brussels and that I forgot to put online...

Back on track

2007-01-25T01:29:00.000+01:00

Martin's shoulder seems to be fixed. He's jumping, running and swimming again...

Cuddles in bed

2007-01-05T18:37:00.000+01:00

Grounded

2007-01-03T18:43:00.000+01:00

Poor Martin hurt his paw/ellebow/shoulder and has to stay inside 2 weeks longs. So he's sleeping a lot... and growing!

Portrait

2006-11-17T19:47:00.000+01:00

Martin's Official Pedigree

2006-11-14T15:51:00.000+01:00

Now that Martin celebrated his 1st birthday, I couldn't resist placing his Pedigree online.
As you can see, his father's name is Loewis; "What a coincidence!"

I want to relax, please...

2006-11-08T17:40:00.000+01:00

Chaos = fun

2006-11-06T14:39:00.000+01:00

Our neighbourhood is a big chaos. It's always been, but now that they are building new appartments, the chaos level is really incredible. humans don't like it. Dogs do, obviously. All these objects to sniff, to bite and destroy... But also all this sand one can run in and dig, it's fantastic if you believe Martin...

The House of Relaxed Pets

2006-11-06T14:33:00.000+01:00

It seems like pets in the Laurent & Lewis house tend to get quite relaxed. While Jean-Louis (the grey, pardon, the "blue" one) and Guillaume (the bitchy-looking one) like high places, possibly with highly uncomfortable books and technology, Martin (the dog) is more into comfy places (here the Fatboy, but other places includes the highly forbidden bed or dirty laundry). Although, sometimes, a highly uncomfortable human foot (but socially so warm) will do...

Summerpic

2006-10-21T00:23:00.000+02:00

Made by Emilie in Senlis (50km North of Paris), August 2006.

By mail

2006-10-18T00:23:00.000+02:00

A pic of Martin we got by email from a friend...

First ER for Martin

2006-10-09T12:43:00.000+02:00

Yesterday Martin fell on a stick and got badly hurt. Lewis will tell you the whole story. Anyway... we ended up in the doggie ER where he had to be operated to remove pieces of the stick still stuck in his mouth... Poor doggie, he had so much pain, even when he was sedated he was barking from pain when we got near his mouth. The surgeon was very nice (and obviously made us a friendly price, since the 500 euro bill is obviously quite low... Thank God we're insured) and today martin is feeling well and running after the cats...

WARNING: some pictures might not be suited for children and sensitive people... / ATTENTION: certaines photos peuvent choquer les enfants et les personnes sensibles

Martin got sedated for inspection. His daddy was very stressed...

He finally got completely sleepy and got hung by the teeth so that the vet could get a good view of the dammage...

The was a big hole and the vet got a few splinters away...

And now the only thing one can see is a shaved paw where he got the needle...

Martin harrassing the laundry box

2006-10-06T13:03:00.000+02:00

Martin jumping like a rabbit

2006-10-02T12:54:00.000+02:00

At the beach, again...

2006-10-02T12:05:00.000+02:00

Yesterday Lewis took Martin to the beach, with Art(thur) and his two "daughters" (two cute French bulldogs that snore all the time).

At the beach in video

2006-10-01T13:22:00.000+02:00

Martin in Achterhoek

2006-09-29T11:34:00.000+02:00

While I was in Paris working, Lewis took martin to the Achterhoek, a rural area in the East of the country, near the German border. They walked around, visited some friends at their farm (on the pic: René on the left, Marjan in the middle), and even ended in Germany while walking through a forest. That's how small the Netherlands are: if you're not carefull, you end up warking/driving/riding in another country without noticing.

Walk in the Hoge Veluwe

2006-09-28T12:43:00.000+02:00

Not an adult yet

2006-09-25T12:23:00.000+02:00

It's funny to see martin becoming slowly adult. He will be growing in the next two years (Labs become fully grown around their 3rd birthday), but you can already see the beautiful male in him. His chest is becoming bigger, his head is slowly changing. He still acts like a puppy but is already becoming a big boy...

A nice FatBoy for Martin

2006-09-22T12:17:00.000+02:00

Martin is a luxury doggie, we all know that. He got is new doggie bed, a FatBoy "DoggyLounge" for dogs. I wanted camouflage but Lewis opted for "Sand". Too bad...
Link: http://www.fatboy.nl/

Big Bad Wolf

2006-09-02T11:25:00.000+02:00

When Martin is playing (usually on his back), he looks familiar. Sometimes like Björk, sometimes like the Big Bad Wolf, sometimes just like a crazy young doggie who likes to play... And if his teeth are so white, it's because Lewis is brushing them quite regularly with an electric toothbrush. "No comment" is what Philips answered to the following question: "Are you aware of the fact that your electric toothbrushes are also used on non-human mamals?"

Fetching (2)

2006-08-28T19:57:00.001+02:00

Fetching (1)

2006-08-28T19:55:00.000+02:00

Yes, a happy doggie

2006-08-02T11:18:00.000+02:00

In September, Martin will go to the next course. Still so much more to learn...

Schooldiploma for Martin

2006-08-02T11:16:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, Martin had an important event: his first grade doggieschool exam. He passed quite well, and got an official diploma... Isn't he a good puppy?

Kidz+puke=yeah!

2006-07-28T18:53:00.001+02:00

Martin loves kids. Lately, it's very hot in Amsterdam, so we go swim regularly in all the fontains in the neighbourhood (the lakes and canals are considered dangerous: botulism, blue alg, you name it). Martin loves to play with a special ball that can hardly float: whenever he pushes it, it disappears under water and floats again after a few seconds, but not always at the same place. It keeps him very busy, diving trying to catch it...
What he loved the most though, is the fact that kids play with him in the water, throwing a ball or whatever object they have. They all rush to get it, Martin swims/jumps around them. They scream, they pet the dog, he licks back. They run and scream, he loves it, jump some more... During all this, Martin usually swallows lots of water: one cannot at the same time be in the water and have an object in its mouth without swallowing some liquid.
The other day, after having played quite a lot, suddenly Martin stopped, and vomited the extra water his stomach couldn't take. Kids screamed, disgusted. Everyone laughed. Martin looked around, not knowing what was causing all this noise. The kids may have acted disgusted, but two minutes later they were in the very same water, playing again.

The Big Splash

2006-07-28T18:48:00.000+02:00

"VIES!"

2006-07-25T11:41:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I was strolling along the Albert Cuyp Market with Martin. Usually I am very keen on him eating rubbish and nasty carcasses from the street but yesterday (heatstroke I guess) Martin was picking up stuff only every other meter. The command we are using is "VIES" which literally means foul. Since I had been trying to be one step ahead of Martin, politely asking him to drop whatever had had in his mouth, (yes mouth) I blurred out "VIES", just as we passed a friendly black guy enjoying this afternoon coffee. (Hot coffee with 32 degrees?!?! Just the thought of it makes me want to barf). Anyway, I could see the look on this guy's face, not sure whether he should get up and break my face or kick the dog for bothering him. I was so embarrassed! Instead of saying NO I accidentally yelled VIES. To make things worse I pretended trying to get something (that wasn't there) out of Martin's month. The poor dog had no clue what was going on and was even more clueless why he was punished.

Draw the moral from this story; "Think before you speak!"

Big baby

2006-07-25T10:54:00.000+02:00

Martin is now above the 30kg. He still has to gain 10kg in the next year. At the end he should be 5cm taller, but the 10kg will be mostly about getting bigger muscles and a bigger head. He's now a big baby. He acts like a puppy and still looks not finished, but for most people it's not that obvious: they just see a nice big dog.
He's still a sweet dog, even though he's being difficult: not listening, giving more attentions to kids and other dogs than to us... But that's adolescent behaviour. He's getting more and more obsessed with water, but I'm falling in love. I had no idea I could love my dog so much. Scary, he?

Calling his friends...

2006-07-25T10:50:00.000+02:00

Martin was, the other night, trying to call his friends. In the morning, Lewis found my beautiful new telephone completely destroyed. Typing numbers with one's teeth is obviously not easy. My beautiful Motorola Pebl didn't make it more than a big week. :o(

In the water

2006-07-21T18:51:00.000+02:00

Luxury beast

2006-06-23T13:19:00.000+02:00

Martin has a new taxi service... a "bakfiets". It's very cool and chic in Amsterdam. All the bobo families have one to transport their children all over town. Right now it's only black with a wooden "bak" but Lewis is planning to decorate it appropriately... There is even a little transparent tent for when it rains. Isn't he a luxury beast, this Martin?
The official link: http://www.bakfiets.nl/

Stinky 2

2006-06-18T00:13:00.000+02:00

This morning I had a doctors appointment with Martin, this for a general checkup and this awful smell he's been carrying around for quite some time now.
Turns out that it's not because of his hormonal inbalance ... Seems that this stinky sweatsocks smell comes from the fact that he's been swimming in the the park nearby. Due to the filthy water he now has an earinfection and has been giving antibiotics for the next 7 days. How do you tell a 7 month old dog that for the next 7 days swimming is no longer allowed?! -- We wish him all the best! --

Stinky

2006-06-14T17:09:00.000+02:00

Martin is in his teenage period. You know it from his interest for sex, because he doesn't listen as good as he should, but mostly because he stinks! We thought that nasty smell was from one of the lakes he swam in, but after a good shampoo (with cat shampoo, actually), he got to stink even more. Something animal, a bit rotten, a bit sour. And the smell stays on your clothes (we still have to carry him from and to the second floor to prevent him from hurting his hip).
Lewis read that it comes from hormonal inbalance that is very normal at his age. He's sweet and beautiful, but I can't wait to have him smell less bad.

At the Museumplein

2006-06-06T17:10:00.000+02:00

The Museumplein, near our house, is Martin's secret place: there is a great fontain where he can jump and play in clean water. At least there he runs no risk to drawn, plus all the American tourists encourage him and clap...

Get on with it ...

2006-06-05T13:34:00.000+02:00

We first hand have experienced what food can do to a dog like Martin. He's more than willing and able to do whatever we ask of him. Problem with Martin is that just before his meal, he only gets two servings a day, he thinks it's necessary to set a new world record, each time we go through his training schedule.
Instead of waiting for a specific command, he goes on autopilot and works his way through sit, down, next, foot and come ... all with in 5 seconds. It's hilarious to see Martin getting totally confused, awaiting his new command. You can see him think; "Just get on with it, I am ready to eat!"

And some pix just because M is so beautiful...

2006-06-04T18:09:00.000+02:00

Especially when he comes out of the water. But, honnestly, it has to be seen live: this mix of beautiful dog, strong power and nature is just too much. Especially for a city kid like me...

"Plonge et rapporte!"

2006-06-04T18:02:00.000+02:00

Martin's biggest passion is to plundge and fetch a ball or a stick in the lake of the Beatrix Park, near our house. He loves it so much he ignores yummy bits we usually give him when he's doing something good. Who cares about the food when he gets to terrorize ducks and make everyone wet?

Crossing roads

2006-06-04T17:58:00.000+02:00

Martin has to learn that a city is not a playfield, but also dangerous. We're now busy teaching him jow to behave with the traffic: crossing roads, stopping at the red light, etc.

Working / Growing / Sleeping

2006-06-04T00:32:00.000+02:00

Martin is very busy growing and becoming a beautiful doggie. He's a bit under 30kg (feels like a ton when you have to carry him to the 2nd floor), a little more than 7 months old, and already on diet. At noon we skip a meal and he gets a carrot. His favourite activity? Well, he's got a few: eat, play, plundge into the water (even when it's very dirty), destroy wallpaper and expansive cables, run after the cats, get cuddles, not listen too much, food... and sleep. While Lewis is slaving in the house getting the clothes in order (having a young dog is, clothe-wise, like having a baby: it's detroyed or dirty), Mr. Martin sleeps and looks bitchy if you wake him up...

Food and jealousy

2006-06-03T07:38:00.000+02:00

Cats can jump on the sofa, ask for cuddles, lay in bed with the humans. They get to eat when they want, as much as they want. How fait is that? Well, Martin finds that it's far from fair. He's just plain jaleous.
Bark bark!
(Notice the eaten-away wallpaper on the right side; this side of the wall seems really yummy, probably full of Calcium)

Still getting bigger

2006-05-08T15:58:00.000+02:00

Almost 25kg and still growing. Martin's daddies are tired of walking him up the stairs (it's not good for his joints)! He might be big but he's a really sweet dog! Even my parents, usually terrified by dogs, got to the point of cuddling him. In Brussels, in the middle of nowhere, we started a "cuddle workshop" for young terrorised kids (dogs are not well seen in the Arabic culture): they were affraid, and then we showed them that, if he had big teeth, he was sweet and only wanted to lick and play, and, at the end, they were touching him everywhere, checking how soft his ears are, calling him "Martin, Martin, assis, bisou, couché!" and kissing him goodbye!

M. vs Poitiers

2006-05-08T15:54:00.000+02:00

Martin honoured Poitier's ground. Poitiers is the capital city of... Poitou. The inhabitants are the Poitevins, but before the Romans arrived in 52 BC, they were called Pictons. The story says the Charles Martel stopped the "Maures" (Arabo-Moslim conquerers) there in 732. Gorgeous roman cathedral, but M was disappointed: no fountain to splash in, like in Châtellerault...

Guard dog?

2006-05-08T15:48:00.000+02:00

Yeah, you wish! He likes everyone and wants to lick anyone passing by.

From grass to parasite

2006-05-08T15:35:00.000+02:00

Martin discovered nature at its fullest! Poitou in early May is just about growing, blooming and... sucking blood. Yes, we got a few ticks from Martin's fur. We had to go to the local vet (who must be rich if we judge by how expensive he was) to buy protecting products and an anti-flea and tick collar.

"Let me in!"

2006-05-08T15:33:00.000+02:00

...the door of the kitchen

"My first horse"

2006-05-08T15:27:00.000+02:00

Lewis went horse riding and passed by the house with the horse. Martin had never seen a horse before. He just lost it and ran around him like crazy...

Martin in Brussels

2006-05-08T15:20:00.000+02:00

What a travelling doggie!

Sarphati, Vondel or Beatrix?

2006-04-27T12:17:00.000+02:00

Where we live, we're at a walking distance of 3 parks: the little Sarphatipark (5 minutes walking), the modern and wild Beatripark (15-20 minutes walking) and the infamous Vondelpark (10-15 minutes walking).
The Sarphatipark is very near, but some people are a bit weird, not to say dangerous sometimes. Some dogs are monsters, and most of them ugly. The Beatrixpark is in a rich area, it's huge and full of nature, but it's a little far and most people are really pretentious with only pedigree dogs with attitude. The Vondelpark is nice, and not too far, but it's really really busy, full of tourists, and sometimes really dirty. Which one should we go to?
That said, our good friend Alper (also in the Labour party) is now in charge of the Sarphati and Vondelpark, so when it comes to tidiness and infrastructure, we know who to call from now on!

No go area

2006-04-25T23:05:00.000+02:00

Martin is not allowed in our room and he knows it. Still, he cannot help it. Especially when we're doing the laundry, he HAS to go sleep on dirty towels (this time), or underwear, or socks, or sheets... Ah là là!

Wash it!

2006-04-25T21:56:00.000+02:00

If you think a dog is self cleaning, think again. After a day at the beach you can clean the dog, but also his harness, the car, and of course the whole house. Oh yes, and your hands (twice!), your shoes, your pants, your coat, and if you have time the stairs of the whole building. Not forgetting to clean everything again the day after, because somehow there is some dirt/sand/salt left.

Feeling guilty

2006-04-25T21:36:00.000+02:00

Martin is becoming big and strong. Today at the vet he was officially 22kg (a fullgrown adult male should be around 35-40 kg). Before that, I was walking in the street with him, not really paying attention (I was talking to a friend) when I heard a bark and a guy scream. He had barked at some guy in front of the Maroccan café near our place. The guy screamed "Control your monster!". I was really surprised: Martin is beyond sweet, licking everyone and liking absolutely anyone. I don't know what happened, but the fact that he barked is a big surprise: he's barked twice so far, and that would be his third time. In 6 months.
But I have to add this: many kids of Turkish, but mostly of Maroccan origin, are completely terrorised by dogs. Kids are almost crying when the dog looks at them. You even see aggressive young men walking on the other side of the street when they see a dog. I know that in Arabic countries there are not so many dog, but come on, this is Holland, Martin is not the first dog they see, is he?
I know it sounds very cliché, the master saying about his muscled and barking monster "oh he's a sweet baby, he never bites, he just wants to play!" when you know he's just going to eat you alive. But in that very case it's true. Has there ever been anyone bitten by a Labrador puppy? Everyone told me it has never ever happened so far. And I'm pretty sure Martin barked either because the guy somehow pushed him away or he actually smelled his terror. But I can't help feeling guilty. What if my cute sweet baby really is a monster?

Later I was on the little place near my house, at the café/fries shop. Martin was playing with the daughter of the family, and he was attached to my leg. There was another guy of Maroccan origin. Martin just collapsed at his feet, trying to lick his shoes (Martin does have a bit of a shoe fetish). The guy jumped as if a snake was climbing on his chair, apparently panicked. "Can you keep your dog away?" he asked in French (I was talking to that friend in French), trying to sound as butch as he could. I just made sure Martin was not too much near him. But that made me feel better. It's probably not Martin the problem. We need some doggie cuddle therapy in the neighbourhood, trust me. Because there are loads of people with doggie issues.