So my dear husband and I have been in Stuttgart, Germany since September. It took us six weeks to find and move into our house. So far, I think we're the only Americans in our neighborhood. At least I haven't run into any others yet. Then again, I've been so busy getting all of our stuff unpacked and in place that I haven't had time to look.

One of the paradoxes I've discovered about living in Germany so far is that dogs are welcome everywhere... as long as they're super well-behaved. My husband and I brought two beagles with us and so far, we've only seen one other beagle. The beagle we saw was very well behaved, running ahead of her mistress, yet not running off. And she certainly wasn't baying, which is something that both of our dogs do and loudly. While we were staying in the German hotel, I walked our dogs every day through a field. Invariably, they'd get on a scent and start baying to beat the band. I can't tell you how many strange looks we've gotten from German folks.

There's not much we can do about the baying. It's instinct. Even if I thought I could train my dogs to be quieter, they'd have to be able to hear me over the baying! I'll admit, the baying sometimes annoys me too. On the other hand, it's pretty cool to watch my dogs working as a team, picking up scents and letting every other dog in the neighborhood about them. That's exactly what they were born to do.

I'd love to take our dogs with us shopping or out to eat. At this point, it's too risky. They just don't know how to take the world outside. Sometimes I look at them and marvel at how much of my life is taken up taking care of them. Then I notice Flea napping next to me, contentedly snoring and looking just plain adorable. Or MacGregor finds me, toy duck in mouth, braying a demand that I play with him. They make life a challenge sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way.