Rufus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rufus and Cooper Take Mom for a Birthday Weekend

2009-03-22T06:52:00.001-07:00

Kelly recently had a birthday, and the boys and I agreed to to take mom away for a celebratory roadtrip. Some friends of ours had recommended Abbaye de la Bussière in La Bussiere-sur-Ouche, France. Founded in 1131 by a an Englishman, the facility was recently converted into a lovely hotel. Its restaurant received a Michelin star in 2007 (which would allow Kelly and I to indulge our "foodiness"), and they allow dogs (which meant that the boys could come along)!

We all loaded up and headed south from Luxembourg. We spent the night near Nancy at a dog friendly hotel. The following morning, we drove the rest of the way south, stopping briefly in Dijon for a brief stroll around a book fair in the old part of the city.

After a bit more driving, we arrived in the tiny town and came to the imposing gate of the Abbaye

We all became increasingly excited as we pass though and into the grounds, along a long curved driveway, past a small beautiful lake before coming to a huge lawn and the stately buildings at the end of it.

As we reached the last curve in the drive, both we and the boys were excited to see a pair of massive Pyrenees dogs lounging before one of the buildings (it later turned out that the stairs behind him lead up to our room).

After passing in front of the main building, we turned and entered through an arch into the courtyard where we parked the car.

We approached the beautiful facade and entered into the imposing main hall of the Abbaye to check in.

After collecting our key, we walked with the dogs around to our suite, which was in a different building on the grounds, upstairs above the crypt of the old chapel. It was called the 'Ermitage. We were not disappointed.

After getting settled in, we went down to meet the other in habitants of the Abbaye: the two Pyrenees, a Bernese Mountain Dog, a shepherd mix, and two miniature ponies.

We were originally concerned that our boys would chase the horses, but it ended up that the horses ended up spending most of the weekend chasing Cooper, who they found fascinating.

Cooper quickly made friends with the Bernese, who was also two years old, and they started a breathless game of chase around a monster fir tree on the lawn.

Late in the afternoon, Kelly and I with for a walk around the grounds with the boys, enjoying its beautiful vistas.

Kelly wandered into the wine cellar of the old pressing building, where vintners from the surrounding countryside would bring their grapes to be pressed and the resulting juice fermented into wine.

The day had grown chilling as the afternoon drew to a close. We had a few more hours to kill before dinner, so Kelly and I decided to explore the Abbey.

This is a view from the second floor down into the dining room of the Abbaye's restaurant (Cooper is peering through the rail).

Rufus took all this in with his usual calm demeanor.

We decided to retire into the library, where Kelly taught me backgammon and the boys took their afternoon nap.

Kelly and I then went back to get cleaned up and prepare the boys' dinner. We then returned to the main Abbaye for an AMAZING dinner. The menu for our six course feast is on the right.

The next morning, we got up and saw that our new friend the Pyrenees was out in front of his owners' residence.

We went down to say hello, and then explored the rest of the grounds, including the crypt of the old chapel.

Cooper's friend the Bernese did not make an appearance, so Cooper improvised a game of chase with Kelly.

We then went to relax and play some chess in one of the rooms of the Abbaye.

Late in the afternoon, we loaded up, big farewell, and headed home, Cooper's ears flapping in the wind.

All the pictures and videos from this trip are here.

Cooper Grows Up

2008-12-21T01:29:00.001-08:00

It seems only yesterday that we brought home a little black and white peanut and called him Cooper.

From 2007-04-30 Cooper

Since then, he has grown a bit... Recently, we've attached a command to having him jump up (such that he does it only on command), and these pictures give you a sense of scale.

I'm 6'5", and Cooper is basically as tall as me... Given that he is still only eighteen months old, we hope that he has no more growth spurts to go through...

Winter Monkeys

2008-12-14T01:13:00.000-08:00

Kelly's idea of stacking the pet beds continues to be a popular one. Both Max and Nikita are fans.

After seeing the kids get so much enjoyment out of this arrangement, Kelly decided to try it out for herself, and got a bit of quality time with Rufus and Cooper into the bargain.

Cooper decided that Kelly needed protecting, and applied his standard technique of sitting on her.

Rufus's Feline Family

2008-12-09T08:24:00.001-08:00

Winter has arrived with a vengeance, and the weather here has been consistently cold and nasty. The critters have decided that now is the time catch up on their sleep (as if they were running low before). Rufus has finally reconciled himself to the fact that sleeping with the cats is not such a bad thing, as they are WARM. Before, he used to grump and move when they tried to snuggle up to them. Now, he still grumps, but only momentarily before going back to sleep

Sunday Muddy Sunday...

2008-12-07T06:46:00.001-08:00

Today we met up with another couple we know here in Luxembourg and took our boys for walk with Nadja, their female Akita. It has been pretty damp here recently, and the trail along the river was exceptionally mucky. However, this did not prevent a good time from being had by all...

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Rollingergrund Run

2008-12-06T07:16:00.001-08:00

Today the boys were getting a bit ansy from having been inside for too long, so we went for a trail run in the forest behind our house (which is the Rollingergrund neighborhood of Luxembourg City). I took this opportunity to try out a new app for my iPhone called EveryTrail, which allowed me to both record our run and take geotagged pictures along the way. Very fun!

However, Rufus and Cooper kept getting frustrated that I was continually stopping taking to take pictures...

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUFUS!

2008-12-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Rufus turned three today. Where does the time go...

Rufus the day I picked him up (nine weeks old)

Rufus on a recent walk in the woods

The Battle for the Bed

2008-11-30T00:21:00.001-08:00

Kelly recently discovered that one way to keep the dogs off the couch when we weren't in the room was to make their beds even more comfortable. She did this by piling a second dog bed on top of the first.

This was an immediate hit. However, it turned out to be a hit with both the dogs and the cats, and a bit of a power struggle ensued over who would get to lay on them. Unfortunately for Nikita, the reality of pet politics is that size does matter...

Fortunately, Nikita has discovered that Cooper puts off a lot of heat, and that sharing a dog bed with him is not the worst thing..

Rufus the Lap Dog

2008-11-23T00:28:00.000-08:00

Cooper and Rufus visit Aunt Tammy and Uncle Mike

2008-11-05T03:34:00.001-08:00

Cooper and Rufus recently went with us for a visit to my cousin Tammy and her husband Mike who live near us in Kindsbach, Germany.

Cooper took an immediate liking to Mike (who used to be owned by a Great Dane himself).

Rufus seemed a bit forlorn that Cooper was getting all the attention (again), so Kelly pulled him onto her lap for some lovin'.

This thrilled him...

When it came time to go, Cooper felt compelled to give Mike a big hug, and extracted a promise that Mike and Tammy would come and visit us in Luxembourg soon with their two children.

All the excitement of the trip resulted in two VERY tired puppies.

A Walk in the Woods

2008-10-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

We had some spectacular weather recently.

The boys convinced me to take them on a nice long trail run in the forest behind our house. Kelly agreed to come along and take pictures.

First, we had to everyone leashed up using their Gentle Leaders.

When we got up to our usual place in the woods, I let them both off leash, and they went tearing down the trail toward Kelly.

They boys, as always, had a great time chasing each other through the woods, enjoying the crisp Autumn air.

After we got back, Kelly and I gave the boys a bath (for which they were long overdue). Cooper, in particular, finds the process of getting a bath not at all enjoyable. However, it always leaves him feeling giddy.

Rufus and Cooper's parents get married!

2008-10-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

After much planning and preparations (with a move from Seattle to Luxembourg between the proposal and the actual event), Cooper and Rufus's parent finally got married. The boys were sad they could not be there. However, they do not have found memories of the last time they had to take an airplane trip across the Atlantic, so the decided to settle for pictures.

Rufus's dad was kind enough to put together a video montage of pictures from the wedding

The wedding

The reception

Finally, all the pictures from all the guests are in an online gallery here:

Cooper the "Ridge - Dane"

2008-09-27T17:32:00.001-07:00

Although Great Danes have a reputation as being mellow "couch potatoes", no one told Cooper this. He has always idolized Rufus, his big brother, and we suspect that Cooper considers himself an honorary Rhodesian Ridgeback. We regularly take the boys for walks in the woods behind our house, and they invariably spend the first half hour or so playing chase among the trees. This starts with us putting the boys in a "sit - stay", taking the boys off leash, and then releasing them to play.

Both Kelly and I love watching them bound through the trees, all athleticism and grace...

There usually a session of Rufus chasing Cooper, followed by Cooper chasing Rufus.

Missing Max

2008-09-23T11:57:00.001-07:00

Max, our 1 1/2 year old Savannah recently went missing. After much debate, Kelly and I had decided to start letting him and Nikita, his "sister" outside. They were MUCH happier (and so were we, as Max had begun to be quite a brat). However, Max failed to come home one evening about two weeks ago. Kelly is in the US getting ready for our wedding, and I put off telling her for a four days hoping Max would show up. Finally, I had to break the news to her and start posting fliers all over our neighborhood. I also posted fliers along several of the many trails that crisscross the woods behind our house.

After almost a week and a half and still no Max, I had begun to fear the worst. As a last ditch effort, I posted more fliers even farther into the woods, and even dropped one off at the local animal shelter. That evening, I got a call on my cell phone from a woman with a British accent who said simply "I just saw your cat". I almost jumped out of my skin! I got the details of where she had seen him last (about a mile or so from our house near a riding stable), and jumped in the car to find him. When I got there, walked up into the woods calling his name, but nothing... However, a few minutes later I got a call from the same woman saying that she was right behind him on the road not far from where I was! I sprinted down there, and sure enough, he was in the bushes on the other side of a tall chain link fence. I called his name, and he began meowing loudly. I managed to find a hole and track him down.

With him safe in my arms, I now had to maneuver him a half mile up the road to the car. He was happy to see me, but a bit freaked out and not that happy about being held. About half way to the car, another vehicle drove by, and he bolted into the woods again. However, I was able to walk up behind him and call his name. He hesitated, and then walked over and began rubbing on my leg. I was then able to pick him up, get him to the car, and take him home.

Our house is the dot on the right, where the woman first saw max is the dot on the far left, and where I found him is the dot in the middle

Since his return, he has been SO affectionate, both with me and with the other animals, especially the dogs (whose favorite inside game used to be "Let's Chase Max"). This is a picture of him curled up asleep with Cooper today.

Doggy Playdate with Akila

2008-09-08T05:28:00.001-07:00

Rufus and Cooper enjoyed the very last day of August with their friend Akila.

Monkey Madness!

2008-08-25T02:30:00.001-07:00

We LOVE Animoto (http://www.animoto.com). Here is a video Kelly made of her favorite "monkey" pictures.

Rufus and Cooper in Lux

2008-08-25T01:57:00.001-07:00

I'm still trying to find time to finish up the blog posts from our Great American Road Trip this past June, as well as provide updates on the boys' adventures here in Europe. However, here is a fun video from some of their recent outings with their new friend, Akila.

Ruedebuhr Road Rage–Day Twenty

2008-06-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

Today we began a 700 mile mad dash for home. We were departing for Europe in two days, so we had to get back, return the RV, and get our four legged family ready to be shipped with us on our flight to Frankfurt.

We started the day with a brief walk, and the boys made a new friend. Rufus asked if something this prissy could really be counted as a dog…

We then loaded up and started eating up the miles…

We crossed the boarder into Idaho in a snowstorm. What do you call a winter storm warning when it is issued in June?

The boys killed time by wrestling in the back.

This so exhausted Cooper that he decided to take a nap in the back.

Miles and miles and miles of highway rolled past.

We finally started seeing familiar territory, passing through Spokane, and over the Columbia River.

When we finally arrived in Seattle late that night, Cooper could not contain his excitement to be done.

We were a bit sad the trip was over, but looked forward to heading off to start the next chapter of our life in Luxembourg.

Ruedebuhr Road Rage–Day Nineteen

2008-06-03T18:58:00.000-07:00

We woke early and I took the boys for a walk, during which expressed an intense interest in meeting the horses who were also staying at the same RV park.

We loaded up and Rufus assumed his usual spot just behind the driver (to insure that we took no wrong turns).

We drove into the Wyoming Rockies, and the scenery began to get increasingly dramatic.

After we crossed the Continental Divide, we caught our first glimpse of the Grand Tetons.

We drove into the valley of the Snake River, the views continued to be jaw dropping.

We also started to see buffalo along the road. The boys expressed intense interest in these, and we promised to see if we could arrange a closer inspection.

We arrived in Jackson, WY and took in the famous elk horn arch on the main square. Rufus wondered where the owners of all these sets of horns had gone.

The boys also got to inspect a stuffed buffalo.

After a walk around town, we loaded up and drove north, past Jackson Lake.

We arrived at the gates of Yellowstone, and drove path Lewis Lake, still partially frozen even in early June.

We arrived at the National Park complex at Old Faithful just in time to see the geyser erupt.

As we continued to drive through the park, we continued to see lots of wildlife. It being calving season, there were lots of buffalo calves to enjoy.

Kelly even got an up close picture of an elk cow before we exited the park and continued our drive home to Seattle.

RuedeBuhr Road Rage–Day Eighteen

2008-06-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

Today we loaded up and started the long drive from Fort Collins, CO back to Seattle, WA, via Yellowstone National Park. The day turned hot, and we draped damp towels over both dogs to keep them cool.

I drove, and Kelly lounged in the back of the RV enjoying the amazing western vistas that opened before us.

After about four hours on the road, we stopped at a spectacular outcropping of rock near Split Rock, WY. We unloaded the boys and started up to take in the view.

Along the way, the boys paused for a drink at a sink hole in the rock.

The view from the top was indeed spectacular.

The boys found a grassy area in which to wrestle.

We paused to reflect on how much we were enjoying the trip and each other.

As the wind was howling over the prairie, we decided to make our way back to the RV through the maze of house sized boulders.

Once back in the parking lot, we loaded up and I drove us into the sunset with Cooper riding shotgun.

Ruedebuhr Road Rage–Day Seventeen

2008-06-01T22:05:00.000-07:00

Today was Dave and Paula’s BIG DAY! I reflected on the fact that our wedding was only a few months away…

I shared this fact with Kelly, and we shared a moment.

Dave showed up to the venue looking tightly wound…

Ginger, on the other hand, seemed relieved that nothing had exploded to this point.

Before things kicked off, Kelly took some time to hang with Cory and Vihn.

Kelly also had a chance to catch up with Papa (aka Grandpa Ruedebusch)

Kelly and I had our picture snapped just before everyone moved to the lawn where the ceremony would be held.

Finally, we were all seated, and Dave walked his mother to her seat.

After the bridesmaids were escorted in, Paula made her appearance, looking every inch the bride.

The ceremony was presided over by the director of the summer camp where Dave and Paula met. This was also the camp that all three Ruedebusch kids attended as children.

We quickly go to the “..do you…” part. Everyone held their breath, but Paula grinned and came through with flying colors. The happy couple made a big finish and were pronounced man and wife.

We adjourned for group pictures.

Ginger (Kelly’s mom) took the opportunity to have a picture taken with all her siblings (Diane, Alan, Ginger, and Joan).

Vihn took all this in from his knee high vantage point.

The reception kicked off with the traditional bride and groom dance. Not a dry eye in the house…

Then, while Dave and Paula worked the room and caught up with all their guests, Kelly caught up with her parents and grandfather.

RuedeBuhr Road Rage–Day Sixteen

2008-05-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

Today, both Dave and Paula’s families gathered in a local park to plant a tree to commemorate their wedding.

The boys enjoyed all the attention they got.

Cooper enjoyed the warm sun.

It was great to see Kelly’s family.

Four generations of Ruedebusch men (left to right: Vihn, Dave, Gary, and Burnel)

Later in the afternoon, Vihn and I took a nap in the shade.

Ginger cracked jokes, Gary made subtle editorial comments.

Later in the afternoon, the wedding party headed out for the rehearsal.

The happy couple took a dry run at going through their vows.

Dave seemed pleased with how everything came together.

Afterwards, we all headed out to the rehearsal dinner.

Ginger and Gary toasted the happy couple.

After a couple of glasses of line, Ginger expressed her feelings on the meaning of life and marriage.

RuedeBuhr Road Rage–Day Fifteen

2008-05-30T22:07:00.000-07:00

Now that we were in Fort Collins for the wedding of Kelly’s brother, the boys were excited to meet Cassy. Rufus, ever the old soul, made a formal bow of introduction.

Cooper cut right to the chase.

Soon both Cassy and Cooper were exhausted.

Rufus took this opportunity to get to know Cassy a bit better.

It was a warm summer day, and everyone seemed inclined to wander into the back yard.

Dave took a dry run at being a papa, and hung out with Baby Vihn for a bit.

Rufus had a hard time understanding why he was not allowed inside.

That evening, Kelly headed out for Paula’s (her future sister in law) bachelorette party.

Ruedebuhr Road Rage – Day Fourteen

2008-05-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

In Taos, we first explored the old downtown area. The boys got to show off their Gentle Leaders.

Cooper drew a crowd, as usual…

We then went to see the ancient adobe pueblos.

We happened to be there on bread day, and the earthen ovens were closed and cooking.

Kelly wandered through the buildings taking pictures and absorbing the history.

It was particularly interesting to see the stock pens, which were still in use (although patched here and there in unusual ways)

On the way out, we checked out the old church and the cemetery next to it.

We returned to the RV and found Cooper fast asleep waiting for us.

We drove north on ruler straight roads, eventually crossing into Colorado.

The vistas grew increasingly spectacular, as snow covered mountains rose out of the arid plains.

Kelly worked on our wedding invitations until she was too carsick to continue, and then took breaks to enjoy the scenery.

All the while, Cooper helped me navigate.

Late that evening, we stopped briefly at a dog part in Colorado Springs so the boys could stretch their legs, before continuing on to Fort Collins.

RuedeBuhr Road Rage - Day Thirteen

2008-05-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Today we woke up at the RV park, had breakfast, and then then drove into Santa Fe to find the Frank S Ortiz park, which has a reputation as being a great off-leash area. After parking Harvey the RV, Rufus and Cooper set out to explore.

The area was laced with a network of trails through the sandy chaparral and the boys had a great time chasing each other and looking for rabbits (the local population wisely chose to make themselves scarce).

Kelly and I came along too, poop bags in hand.

Cooper made new friends along the way (although everyone was a bit intimidated by his size at first).

Kelly and I walked around a bit, checking out the local shops and artists. Kelly found a lovely necklace to take with her as a souvenir.

We then started the drive to Taos New Mexico. Along the way, we saw some amazing vistas as thunderstorms rolled over the plains.