Well, my new home in my new country is very nice but - boy, is it HOT here!!
And there is also a lot of something my humans call humidity, which means that the air has a lot of water in it and it makes you sweat a lot and feel like you are swimming around in a sticky rain all the time…doing anything is hard work! My humans say that I need to do something called ‘acclimatise’ and then I will feel better but in the meantime, I spend most of my waking hours doing this:
But we are lucky ‘coz our new home has special cold air which comes out of a machine, called AC, and so when it gets too bad, my humans shut all the windows and make the cold air come on – and then it feels wonderful! But Hsin-Yi does not like the AC – she likes the fresh, natural air better – and so she always tries to open the windows every morning and keep them open for as long as possible.
(Thank you to all my friends for your ideas on how to cope with hotness - I will definitely try them!)
Because it is super hot, I can only go for a walk before the sun comes out in the sky or after it has gone away – and even then, I can’t walk for very long before I get so hot that my tongue is nearly dragging on the ground! Guess I can’t go on my 1 hour powerwalks anymore, like I used to in Auckland! 
Checking out my new neighbourhood...
So my human, Hsin-Yi, has been getting up very early to take me for a short (15-20mins) walk before it gets too sunny, and then they take me for another short walk (20mins) in the evening, just before it gets dark. Hsin-Yi was so happy when it was grey and rainy for a few days because then she could get up later but it was still cool enough to take me out! 
By the way, in case you’re wondering – no, us Dane don’t need tons of exercises and 1hr powerwalks everyday. This is a common mistake – a lot of people think that because we are giant dogs, we need lots of exercise. Actually, Danes are pretty low-energy, placid dogs and I’m quite happy with a 20min stroll every day but my humans like to walk and they don’t think it’s a ‘proper’ walk unless it is nearly one hour and they have walked quite far (and in Hsin-Yi’s case, walked very fast! Hsin-Yi likes to do everything fast).
This is one reason they chose a Great Dane – because us Danes are really flexible when it comes to exercise: when my humans are busy, they can just give me a 20 min stroll around the block and I’m satisfied with that – I won’t be chewing up the house or digging up the garden, like some other more active, hyper breeds…but when they want to go on a 3 hr trek in the mountains on the weekends, I’m up for that too! 
Also, a lot of people think bored, hyper dogs need more physical exercise when actually what they need is more mental stimulation (ie. training & games), so because Hsin-Yi does a lot of training & activities with me, I need even less exercise. Remember, 20 minutes of Obedience training can equal to 2 hrs of running! Us doggies build up stamina faster than humans can give us the exercise – so if we’re hyper & destructive and getting into trouble, it is more useful if our humans spend 5-10mins making us “work” and do training exercises, than taking us for yet another walk!
OK, many of you were interested to know if I still sleep with my head hanging off the bed, even with my new GINORMOUS beanbag bed! Well, I have to confess…yes I do! Even though Hsin-Yi is horrified – she thought a bigger bed would stop me doing that but…guess us doggies just like to sleep that way! Hee! Hee!
But I have to tell you about my new bed! Well, it’s a “Pet Futon” actually, made by the Snooza company. You see, my humans were worried that my beanbag bed – with its furry cover – would be too hot for me to sleep on in Brisbane and so they also got me a lovely Pet Futon, which is cooler to lie on.
At first, I wasn’t very sure about it – I’m very fussy about my beds, you know - ever since I first snuggled into my humans’ beanbag by mistake when I was a baby puppy, I have loved that “beany” feeling and refused to sleep on anything else. Once my humans even bought me a very expensive “orthpaedic bed” and took my beanbag bed away to try and make me sleep on that - but they found me sleeping on the floor next to the ‘orthopaedic’ bed! So they gave up and gave me my beanbag bed back…
…so my humans are very happy because this is the first time I have liked anything other than my beanbag bed! My new Pet Futon is lovely and cushiony, even though it is not very puffy, and it has a cool, cotton cover which feels nice to lie on (and is washable too!) and it is very light and much easier to move around than my huge beanbag bed. And so during the day, when it is hot, I like to sleep on my Futon (but at night, for my big sleep, I still like to go back to my beanbag bed…!)
Here are some pictures of me enjoying my new Futon
My humans have been very impressed by the Snooza company and the things they make – so if any of you Australian doggies are looking for a new bed, do check them out!
My humans are still very busy and they still haven’t got much time to help me do blog stuff – so it’s taking me a long time to get around and visit you all again – sorry! Please bear with me! 
Hi Honey,
I sleep that way as well sometimes with my head hanging off the bed and mom freaks out a bit…she trys to put a pillow under my head when she sees it hanging that way…must be a Dane thing.
Australia looks lovely so far but boy it sure does look hot…take it easy and drink lots of water Honey and tell mom to turn the air conditioner on for you all the time. I know when it’s summer here my humans can’t sleep if its hot in the house so the AC gets put on and I get to snuggle under the blankets.
AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane
Ah I see that you sleep with your head hanging off the bed, I do that too that’s why I can’t sleep with my mom ’cause she is afraid of me falling out of the bed.
I hope your family will enjoy the new place.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010, SWEET HONEY AND FAMILY!
May it be the start to a pawsome new year.
Love ya lots!
We can’t say too much about sleeping funny, cause us cats sleep in very strange positions sometimes. We are glad you have a cooler bed for the day time. And just think, when it is winter there, you will also have your furry bed to keep you warm.
We hope you get acclimated soon and are able to enjoy more time outside.
Happy New Year Honey and family! We will just be staying home and staying warm to celebrate. Our electricity was out last night in our neighborhood, our electrical CO-OP is still here fixing it so for the last couple of hours it has been on and off and the house is only 13°C. We live in the desert in eastern Washington state in the US. So we get very hot weather too. Lots of days over 38°C during our summers, plenty in the 40-46°C range.
Momma suggests you wear one of those cooling bandana’s (with the gel in them) during your walks. Momma puts them in the freezer and wears them when she does outside stuff for work. If you can’t get them in AUS Momma said she can send some.
Purrs and smooches,
Rufus, Ruby and Juneau the Great
Hi Honey!
It’s actually snowing where we are right now, so the heat sounds really good!
And you have such a looooooong neck lying like that on your beanie!
Yer pals,
Sketcher and Angel
Happy new Year! When is it winter there?
Happy New Year, Honey and Humans! I had 6″ of snow today, and am enjoying eating the snow.We mastiffs are very large and low energy, too. I think people don’t realize how much effort it takes to move such a large critter as us.
ooohhh I think I hear a NEW dance routine coming on!
I know how you feel with the hot weather. Sometimes I go out in the very hot sun and bake and momma has to make me come inside because she says that I am so, er, intellectually challenged that I would stay out until my brain fried. I must admit that I do feel better when I come in to the cool house and lay on the floor.
Momma likes to go walkies too and she says that she absolutely cannot walk without a dog. Lucky for her PeeWee is always game for a walk regardless of the weather.
We got snow today on top of the ice so my backyard is most dangerous right now because I cannot tell where to step without slipping so I think I am just going to stay in and meditate.
Slobbers,
Mango
P.S. Nothing wrong with hanging your head of the bed. Goodness! It is most comfortable for sure.
Hi Honey
I also like to sleep with my head off the side of my beds -- both my lovely plumpy cushion on the floor, and my big one that I let my human share with me at night, because I’m such a generous puppy. My human thinks I look very funny with my head off the side of the big bed!
We had very hot weather here the last couple of days -- my human wheeled out the big AC machine into the lounge room yesterday, so the temperature was very comfortable compared to the rest of the place.
But then we had big thundery rain last night, with lots of lights in the sky, and this morning we had a long walk in the park in the rain, followed by a towel-monster fight and breakfast. Time for a nap, I think!
Puppy kisses
Sasha
Wow Honey! You can sure stretch your neck out (and I know you do hehee!). Thanks for the nice comments the other day, especially when you’re so busy acclimatizing. Hot wet air is yucky and for you, with your fur coat, I can imagine that it’s very uncomfy. Love how you look on the smaller bed too! I totally agree with you about training energy. I’m one of the raucous doggie types and need a lot of exercise, but when I do 20 to 30 mins of obedience training, I’m beat!!! Well… hope your body learns to deal with the weather soon and we all here wish you a very Happy New Year in your new digs, dear Honey.
Big Hugs xo
Sammie
Happy New Year Honey! That is great that your people got you another great bed. Agatha and Archie will be so jealous. I am sorry it is too hot for you in Australia. Eat lots of ice cubes and beg Hsin-Yi to turn on the air. My person likes open windows too but enough fresh air is enough!
Your friends,
Niamh and Ambrose
Woo, Honey. We’re supposed to get some more snow on Saturday; I could send you some of the snow we have now! That might help cool you off!
Luv,
Dave
Oh THAT H is a horrible H to have!
It makes all the difFURence in being able to handle warm weather!
No khanine should be without a husky khool air machine!
Happy New Year to ALL of WOO!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Honey, your weather sounds a lot like the summers here in Kansas. We stay inside with the a/c too when it is hot and humid. We try to walk early in the morning or late at night too. But right now we have bitter cold AND snow, glorious snow, finally. We are happy you are all settling in to your new home.
Happy New Year to you and wishes from us to you for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.
Woos, Phantom and Thunder
Honey, mommy thinks I sleep strange ways too. Sometimes I curl up real tight, and others I spread out. Where we live it is a little chilly right now, but during a time called “some mer” it gets real hot and I cant keep my tongue in my mouth too. Mommy gives me lots of sweet ice to lick on. Mommy can only walk with me too, but good for her I walk fast, so she can too. Daddy learned real fast the first walk we went on, how little energy I have. I slipped out of my collar and ran around trying to find the dogs behind fences. Daddy and his friend chased me, and he said he was so glad when I pooped out in 10 minutes. That is all I need reall. So mommy takes 1/2 hour walks with me in the morning while it is still cool.
BARK! Sasha the Princess
PS- Mommy is drooling over the pictures of your new territory.
I was going to offer to send you some of the snow from my backyard to help cool you off but I see that The Army of Four has already suggested it.
Wish it was hot here. I HATE winter cuz I stay cold the whole season.
Your neighborhood is beautiful! My neighborhood looks much different and no where near as pretty.
Happy New Year!
Oh, I hope you get a cool spell soon. Oreo sleeps with his head hanging off the side of his bed too
♫HAPPY NEW YEAR♫ PAWty ON
Here’s to another year of friendship and smiles and holding up each other through the trials. Over the past year you have brought us many giggles, some laughter and always a feeling that the world is a better place because you are in it.
We are hoping that things get better in the hot department and that your momma doesn’t make you sweat too long for the AC. That is not good on your heart -- and ours -- because we HATE to sweat!
hello honey its dennis the vizsla dog hay tucker tels me it yoozd to git verry hot and hyoomid in the summer wen he livd in the mithical land of noo york he sez the way to handel it is to krawl into mamas lap and go to sleep but thats wot he sez abowt evrything!!! ok bye
I hate hot weather, Honey, so I can really sympathize with you! Happy New Year!
We’ll send you a little bit of our snow and freezing cold temperatures if that would help!
Hope you get more used to the hot weather soon!
The new bed looks great.
take care
Clive
A very Happy New year to you and your family Honey!
Happy New Year Honey and Family!
I can see it is really hot there!
I hope you get used to it soon!
Glad you are enjoying your new bed!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
I’m behind on reading blogs too as you can see.
I’m sorry you had to learn about that uncomfortable thing called humidity. We get it really bad here too. I actually can’t wait for it to get warmer. I’m so tired of the cold. Good thing you have that thing called AC. My humans run it all summer because it filters the air and without that my mom would be sneezing and miserable all day! She does like it 80F in the house though, which I’m okay with. It’s good to hear from you. My mom said she’s going to start blogging more soon. We’ll see how that goes.
Jackal
hi honey,
Glad your enjoying our beautiful country, youll soon get used to our hot weather, we boys pant allot like you, and our mummy puts the ac on for us too. You can also try a product called a cool coat from silver eagle here in australia, its great, our mummy is getting us new ones especially for when were at shows.
your new snooza futon looks comfy, we got new snooza beds for christmas also, and we loves them.
dont worry about your humans being busy to update your blog, my humans are super busy working their busy period of work also.
stay cool beautiful girl
licks n leans
Stripe n nitro n their mummy
hi honey!!
what a nice country!!! and love your new bed
its a bid coler than that nice furry one
icey kissslobbers
El’bow & Hauwii
Hi Honey! Happy Noo Yeer!! Yer wether is jest loverly. I wish it wuz hot here. I does not like the cold and rane.
Yer pal Dozer
Hello Honey,
It looks like a nice neighborhood where you live now in Brisbane *wiggles* Our country -- Indonesia is also very hot and very high humid.
Licks,
Adele, Vincent & Bella
Oh my goodness! I was so hoping you would read my post and offer some advice. Indeed you did. You really are the expert when it comes to dogs thank you so much. I was afraid it was too late. When I tried to lead her to the spot the first time all day she never ever went. So then my husband was concerned that we were messing up with her system physically so I was scared to try again. She is just being stubborn right? When I take her to the spot should I just stand there or walk around within the spot. If I stand there she just sits and looks at me wondering what we are doing there. Thank you thank you! You give me hope!
Kasha
Hi Honey!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I’m so glad you and your humans have settled in nicely!
And that you’ve been exploring your new home lots!
I’m sure you’ll get used to the hot weather soon enough!
I’m very happy as the beaches on the NorthShore are back to normal, so I’m able to go walking down there now -- though I still have to spit stuff out if i eat something (My people dpn’t like it)!
hehe and I’m the biggest doggie on the beach now -- if you were hear i would be a great size to play with you now
Anyway I’v ebeen very slack with my blog, to much stuff going on -- but hopefully my people will help me update it soon
Licks,
Lexi
That’s great you have air-conditioning Honey … every Brisbane doggie should have it. And/or a pool! Looks like you are enjoying exploring the neighbourhood.
Hi Honey,
Look at that sun in the first pic! You must feel like being sunbaked… Chill out in an air-conditioned room and keep out of the heat while the sun is out.
Thanks for your advice on how to learn to sleep in my crate alone again. Now I can sleep in my crate quietly in my humans’ bed room.
Love,
Cinnamon
Happy New Year,Honey!!
You made it!! You made it!! We’re happy that you are doing well after arrival to a new country! It’s great to see you and your humans were reunited. Hey, you got a new bed!! That looks very cozy. Yay!!
We can’t imagine the HOT weather right now. For a past few days, we had -15C temperature!! ahhhhh.. gotta move to Brisbane. Oh my mom’s friend was visiting there over the Christmas. She said a wild koala bear almost visited her bedroom!!!
Momo & Pinot
Well I hope you adjust to your new home as quickly as possible. We could use a little heat here. It has been in the 40′s and 50′s here for a while and it gets down into the 30′s at night. Houston, Texas is supposed to be warmer than this. Lucy had a bath outside today and she was a huge fan of the colder water and weather.
huh! we sleep with our heal off the bed too! glad to hear it Honey!
We understand about hot & humid. We have lots of that here. Just not now. We’re freezing instead.
I like to lay with my head lower than my body too. It must be a sign of intellegence!
And this is why I liuke ibghoneydog.com. Awesome posts.
ms honey thank you for sharing : I too sleep with my head over the side of my bed. It looks like you have your own bedroom and a cool pocket book purse. I wish we were neighbors we wd be bff. lot of love and be good to hsin-yi.
Oh Honey, thank you so much for showing us that you also sleep with your head hanging off the bed!! I freak out my humans by sleeping the same way……… my humans have put a human size futon on the balcony and it gets great breezes so this is where I sleep most of the time. I got a brand new night time bed the other day, just like my doggy brother (german shepherd) Jack -- we both have Hound Houses -- XL (the biggest they have), it is great, they are cool in summer and warm in winter! My humans tell me that I am really spoilt
I just know that I am really comfy!!
Cheers
Abby (great dane x mastiff) and Jack (GSD)