Cassie aquired me in May 2007. I say "aquired me" as the first time I saw her she was already 12 wks old. I spent a couple of hours waiting for Helen (Evans) return from a show, sitting in a field surrounded by about 20 Munsterlanders trying to make my choice from 3 remaining bitches. The decision was taken out of my hands as Cassie seemed to feel that the top of my head or around my neck was the best place to be in the world. Some hours later I was introducing her to my two GSDs in her
new home.Right from the start she challenged her lowly position in the pack, and still is, even though she hasn't succeeded. My determination to ensure that she would sleep downstairs was very quickly worn down by the constant wailing, howling and singing! She apparently takes after her mother in the noise department but has the additional talent of being able to "trill", like a bird. Thankfully she was never a chewer, but does, like all munsters love to carry around various items of my clothing, socks, pants, bras......usually to greet a visitor with! Learning to swim came early, and, as I live on the banks of the River Severn she manages to get herself wet almost every day, at least once a day. Cassie is lucky enough to have a holiday home, on my dad's farm in France. The last time she was there she discovered the joy of cow poo, every single night! She also discovered her hunting instincts. My father's cross breed, rescue hunting dog, found a willing partner in crime and they had to be watched like hawks or they would be off for an hour long trek, always returning on their own before they were found - causing me numerous nervous break-downs!
Cassie is very loving and affectionate. She likes to cuddle people by placing her feet on their shoulders and snuggling into their necks, whilst giving them lots of kisses. She always needs to feel the touch of human contact. Very friendly to every dog she meets, but in her element when in the company of other munsters - strange how they recognise their own breed. I've managed to get most bad habits trained out of her, but they are quick to return. My sister's lurcher cross tends to steal, dig, empty bins, open doors (knock the latch down to lock me out) and Cassie is quick to learn, or re-learn these tricks.I do plan to work her in some way or another, but it has been difficult due to my back problems, hopefully the operation I had last week will sort it out and I can get something sorted. Her introduction in the show hasn't been that successful, a 2nd and 3rd in the local gymkana and VHC at Paignton, but I'm told she's a late developer so maybe things will improve in the future. At the moment she seems happy to be just a pet, but that could be because I haven't been at work since April!
I now only have one GSD, Louis, who trys to keep Cassie in check, and normally manages it, although she is a lot quicker and more agile than him. He will "tell her off" when he thinks shes out of order and she does have a strange habit of standing one side of the room and barking at me when he's in the way, almost as if she's scared of going past him. All fear is forgotten if she thinks that there's food the other side of him though! Louis is my 4th GSD, I never thought I would find another breed that I loved so much - until the Large Munsterlander - now I can't wait until next year, when I hope to get one from Summer's litter!
