Dempsey....the after quarantine story

After piles of paperwork, 6 vet appointments in the U.S., 6 vet appointments in NZ, and 5 visits in his 10ftx30ft kennel I was able to just walk into the quarantine facility and walk out with Dempsey this past Sunday! Demps was a bit apprehensive about where I was taking him and he slept the entire car ride home. He did a grand effort to ignore me most of yesterday but was thrilled to be able to roll around in the grass and lay in the sunshine OUTSIDE!

Demps had his first official NZ walk this morning and other than chasing Short-legs (if you saw this cat you'd know why we named it Short-legs) it was just like old times. However, after about a 10 minute walk he needs a nap for about 2 hours.... after 30 days of just lying around his stamina is down from his normal spaz time. This works out perfectly given my fitness level is barely above that of the caged animal I think we'll try and get into shape together. We may try and go explore the beach tonight for his first ocean induction. (dogs are allowed off leash on any public beach in Auckland after 6:30pm and before 9am during the summer)

In these pics he is enjoying his new yard with his new fence that poor Brendan slaved over the few days before his flight to Vancouver.

Dempsey loves being outside-Hates the houseflies and is following me around everywhere but overall he seems like the same dog. After the long flight and long kennel time I worried he'd be traumatized for life. But dogs may be better than humans in that once they have some food and regular company they forget all their worries. :-)

Best Christmas Present....More time off

Many people remark that Kiwis seem to be more relaxed, better traveled and have more hobbies than the average American. I would agree and contribute some of their culture to the additional time off from work that the average Kiwi has. As of April 1, 2007 Kiwis UNDER LAW are required to have at least 4 weeks of paid holiday time. Many take additional "unpaid leave" throughout the year as well. In cope with these vacations most businesses close for 2-4 weeks over the Christmas Holiday time. It is not uncommon to find a shop, cafe or bakery closed this time of year with a handwritten sign stating "Closed for School Holidays" Christmas marks the official beginning of summer here in NZ and most Kiwis head for the beach and fill their vacation days with water sports and barbeques.

Many Kiwis think that I'm exaggerating when I tell them in America there is no legal right to any sick or vacation time and those companies that do grant leave usually do 5 days up to 21 days depending on seniority in the company. NZ employees also receive 12 months of maternity leave where they paid partially for the time off but their job is held til the end of their 12 month leave. Kiwis laugh when I tell them Americans get 12 weeks off for having a baby (usually unpaid) and many only take a few weeks off.

All this time off must explain why they all have great gardens, are really fit and enjoy plenty of family time. I think I could get used to this!

We rang in the New Year with some friends in Northland. (see pics). There are amazing beaches around every corner and we drove all the way to the North tip of the North Island to Cape Reinga. The views are amazing. I also will never get used to how many farms are close to these white sandy beaches. It's so funny to see livestock across the street from where you just body-surfed. Wed had a great time kayaking, relaxing and playing scrabble! There may have been a few bottles of Sauv Blanc for entertainment as well. 2008 brought lots of changes and I'm excited to see what 2009 in NZ will bring. Happy New Year to you all!

If you don't believe me on the time off see this excerpt from the actual law......

Four weeks paid holidays
From 1 April 2007, all employees are entitled to at least four weeks paid annual holidays a year.
The increase from three weeks to four weeks paid holidays or leave is being introduced gradually during the 12 months from that date – it applies to different people on different dates.
An individual employee becomes entitled to four weeks paid annual holidays on the anniversary of the date they started their current job. The anniversary date has to fall after 1 April, 2007.
For example if an employee started work on the 1st of June 2006, they will be entitled to four weeks holidays on 1 June, 2007. Or if they started on the 3rd of February 2007, they will be entitled to four weeks holidays on 3 February, 2008.
For all employees who receive “pay as you go” holiday pay, the payment rises on 1 April, 2007 to 8% of their pay, up from 6%.
The right to four weeks minimum paid annual holidays applies to all workers, of all ages, in all industries. It is against the law for an employer to give less than the minimum