Gerplu Máni Herakles

In mid-November 2020, we got ourselves a little Icelandic puppy. His character quickly revealed itself; he was curious, cheerful, and a sweet bundle of energy. He was also adventurous and quite stubborn. Later in his life, stubbornness remained, becoming a trait that saved the puppy's life. Máni joined a household where two cats, Mom Þoka and her son Moli, were already living. At the time, Moli was 1½ years old. They quickly became good friends, engaging in playful chasing and rolling around on the floor.

Máni and Moli

Máni and the dog crate

We were advised that dogs benefit from getting used to crates right away. They would be calmer and sleep in the crate when the owner was away. Our family decided to try this method immediately when he was still a puppy, so we bought a large steel crate with a plastic bottom and a cushion. The crate was placed in the bedroom. Every night, Máni went into his crate and slept. This routine worked well. During the day, the crate was always open in the hallway. One day, I decided to experiment by putting the puppy in the crate while I went to the store. I wanted him to feel secure and thought he would probably lie down peacefully. However, when my daughter came home, she found Máni happily jumping around, but not inside his crate. I asked if the crate was open. No, she replied, one side of the crate had burst open, and the plastic bottom was scattered in pieces across the entire floor. Máni had managed to break the crate. After that, we decided not to confine the puppy in a crate when we were away. He should enjoy the company of the cats, and it wasn't fair to lock him up, according to his preferences.

Did I do anything wrong, Mom?

Máni and the cat flap

Máni often chased Moli around the house, who could come and go freely through the cat flap. Sometimes, Máni would sit by the flap, a little bruised when Moli went outside.

We realized that the puppy needed to get used to being alone at home for short periods. One day, we left the house for about an hour. When we returned, the neighbor greeted us with the news that he had found Máni alone on the street and let him into his yard. We were concerned, as all doors and windows were closed. Perhaps our tenant had let him out by accident?

The next time we were absent for two hours, we made sure the house was securely closed. Upon returning, our neighbor met us with a cheerful and excited Máni. Well, this had become a mystery. I started suspecting that he might have squeezed through the cat flap. When I inspected it closely, the flap was slightly bent, as if someone slightly too big had managed to get through.

Máni grew quickly, and with time, we no longer worried about this escapade. Our son was alone at home with the dog and decided to go to the store. On his way home, he found Máni hopping on three legs with the cat flap tightly around his neck. He was happily wagging his tail when he saw his friend. The flap sat firmly, and we could only cut it off. We had a tree pruner that reached around the thick plastic, and luckily, everything went well. Máni was one year old when he tried this escape route again but it was for the last time.

Máni with the cat flap stuck around his neck. He is kind of frustrated that he can not longer use this exit. Spring 2021

Máni helps Þoka

One night, I heard a noise from the cat and couldn't sleep. Máni stood by my bed, wanting to get me up, sensing that something was wrong. I went to check, walking quietly as the sound seemed to come from everywhere. "Find Þoka," I said to Máni, but he stood in the hallway and didn't move, even though I tried everything to get him to search with me. There was no one in the hallway; all doors and wardrobes were open. I couldn't understand where the meowing was coming from. Máni made a small "woof" sound, looking up. I looked up and saw the attic hatch. We were having the roof repaired, and now there was a cover over the entire roof. I climbed a ladder, opened the attic hatch, and, behold, there was Þoka. She had snuck under the roof, and now she was in trouble. Máni came to Þoka's rescue.

Þoka, Moli's mom

Máni in an Accident

It was December 26, 2020, when snow covered everything, and Máni went out to play. He saw Dad cleaning the hot tub with hot water and didn't notice when the 5-month-old puppy happened upon him, landing in the tub filled with very hot water. I heard a terrible noise and ran out to see the puppy trembling and whining from pain. It was a shocking and heartbreaking moment. We tried our best to cool him down with snow, knowing that we had to rush him to the emergency animal hospital as quickly as possible. We could barely touch him, but eventually, we managed to get him in a soft blanket and rushed off.

Máni received morphine and a spray to cool down the burn wounds. His stomach and paws were badly burned. The following weeks were torture for the puppy. He couldn't lie or sit for the first 6 weeks. Máni leaned against walls when completely exhausted. I got him to lean on me, and I saw that he could close his eyes in between, but most of the time, he stood against the wall, a little poor being, in pain. Every morning, I took him to the animal hospital in Garðabær, where he was anesthetized for wound cleaning, allowing him to rest. I caught up with him around two and tried my best to make him as comfortable as possible. Máni got two morphine patches and a screen, poor little skin. At night, I slept half-sitting with pillows under my arms, and Máni perched on it. This way, we both could sleep for a few hours. The main thing was to ensure Máni got enough sleep, as anything else could be dangerous for a small puppy.

At the animal hospital, everyone loved this brave little puppy. He was stubborn, oh yes, he was determined to overcome this ordeal. Máni didn't bark or snap when his wounds had to be treated. He endured it. The weeks passed, and everything went incredibly well. The wounds healed well, and on the 7th week, he sat on the living room floor. I cried with joy. After 7 weeks, he finally managed to sleep lying down. Máni fully recovered from this ordeal, showing great resilience. He demonstrated tremendous courage and wasn't afraid of water or the hot pot. He loves to wade and swim.

Máni at Hvaleyrarvatn 2022

Máni swallows a condom

Máni spent a weekend in the care of my big sister. The first walk turned memorable when Máni managed to swallow something he had found on the street. They quickly rushed to the animal hospital. The veterinarian greeted Máni, having treated his burn wounds a few months earlier. The vet asked jokingly, "What trouble is he getting into now?" Máni was given an emetic to induce vomiting. He eventually threw up a condom that could have easily choked him. He seemed pleased to get rid of the object starting to bother him and was wagging his tail happily on the way out, probably glad to be rid of the condom.

In Search of Bella

Our friend owns Bella, a good friend of Máni. We sometimes meet in the dog area Bala during walks. One autumn evening, our friend called to inform us that Bella was missing. She was in the care of friends who took her for a walk in Gálgahraun. It was getting dark, so I set out with Máni to search. Perhaps Máni could lure Bella to him. Máni had a flashing light, allowing me to see him and his white fur. I found our friend, who had been searching for nearly 4 hours and was in tears. Bella wasn't used to being in Gálgahraun and didn't know the area. However, Máni was familiar with the surroundings. "Find Bella, where is Bella?" I called to him. I saw him sniffing and running. He disappeared behind lava rocks, and I heard barking. Máni isn't used to barking, so I immediately knew something was wrong. We ran towards the barking and saw him in a crevice. He wasn't alone. There, in the rock gap, was Bella. Poor little thing had likely not been careful in the lava and ended up with her front legs stuck in a narrow crevice. We managed to lift her out. Her head was covered in dust, and she was almost frozen. It wasn't strange that the little skin hadn't made a sound. Luckily, everything turned out well, and Bella quickly recovered. However, she still doesn't want to go for a walk in Gálgahraun; it's as if she's scared of the crevices. Thanks to Máni for finding Bella.

Good friends in November 2020

Máni kisses the goose.

Máni was with me on a free walk in the lava field below Vífilstaðir when we came across a lonely goose. It lay peculiarly, so I approached and lifted it up. Máni followed closely and observed. I couldn't see anything visibly wrong with it; it just seemed a bit disoriented. When I placed it down in the grassy hollow, Máni walked slowly and gently up to it, lifting its nose with his muzzle, causing the goose to nod its head. Then he stuck his tongue out in front of the goose that was lying still. It was so peculiar.

Gerplu Máni Herakles * July 26, 2020