Best Christmas ever!

Ok, so I know I've only had one other Christmas to compare to, and truth be known, my memory isn't that good that I even remember what I did yesterday. But it has been snowing TONS this year, and every time it does, we go for another walk to the big park by the baseball stadium. The other day, it was soooo deep, that I had to jump up just to get moving in it.

On Christmas Eve (like I have any idea what day that is, but so they tell me), Richie and Christine went away for what we thought was the evening. But it turns out they had gone over to Richie's brother's house, but they couldn't cook their dinner because they had no power there! So an unspecified amount of time later, the whole Chin family arrived back at my house with all sorts of yummy smelling food! They ate and ate and ate, and we didn't get any of it! Paisley didn't like having so many people around, so she went down to her room by herself.

On Christmas Day, we both got toys to play with! Here we are just as they were when we received them, and...

a short time later, we had performed our ritual gutting and shredding of the new arrivals.

But after a long day of Christmas-ing, I found a new place to hang out. I can't wait for next Christmas!

Mischa

Snow!

Well, it has been nothing but excitement here lately... Richie's brother has arrived at our house, and so has the snow! We've been spending a lot of time over at Hillcrest Park, running around and chasing each other. Then we really got a lot of snow, and Richie's other brother Mike came over with his little human, Justin. We all went to the park in over a foot of snow!

Here I am giving chase to Richie as he makes for 1st base... he's pretty fast with those long legs, but I caught him!

The snow was so deep that I have to jump like the bunny next door to get moving - of course my ears flop around like the bunny too!

Paisley was having a gas too - she likes to run along in the snow and then stick her nose down and snuffle up the snow and stuff! I'm not sure what she's looking for, but when she comes up for air, there's always a bunch of snow sticking to her face, which makes her look kinda funny. She's pretty good at getting around in the snow too, and we would chase each other around, "joust", or wrestle in the snow.

Here you see me with my classic, "go for the jugular" attack on Paisley, while she attempts to get away.

Here is just one of our many wind sprints that we did that day - somehow Paisley managed to get a head start on me, but I am in hot pursuit! But I tell you, it is hard work running around in snow that deep - I'd have to stop and lie down and catch my breath once in a while. Christine also decided to lie down and try and make a "snow angel", but Paisley and I wanted to see what she was up to, and messed it all up.

Anyhow, I hope you are all having fun in the snow - I hear there is more to come!

Mischa

Catching up with the Berners

So sorry it has taken so long to post some new stuff here, but Ritchie and Christine went away for what seemed like forever to some place called Maui. We on the other hand, went to stay with Richie's sister Deb, Connor, Sarah and Lupin! We had a grand old time, and got into all sorts of trouble. Like the time that Mischa got up on the counter and pulled the cookie jar down onto the floor. Lupin and I didn't have anything to do with it (I swear!), but we weren't just going to stand around while Mischa feasted - no way! When we are not getting in trouble, I follow Deb around like her shadow - something my namesake used to do as well, I hear.

Anyhow, we were thrilled to have Richie and Christine home again, as you can see by my lap-dog impression above. Mischa has decided that it's great fun to stand on the big brown box (called an ottoman), and frequently uses it as a method to try and get across to a warm lap. When that happens, I snuggle right in there, and the next thing you know, there's 185 lbs. of Berner fun in your lap!

I think they really missed us too, and so Christine gave us two little bears to play with. You can see Mischa and I playing a little tug-o-war with one of them, on top of Richie's head! I actually didn't really know what to make of the little bears, and I was treating them like my own little bear cubs. Sure, I had them in my mouth - what are we dogs supposed to pick up things with? But when I was put in my room for the night, I yelped, because I wanted to be with my little bear! My nickname is "Big Bear" (Mischa's is "Little Bear") - why wouldn't I have a thing for bears?
Anyhow, after a few days of tussling with them however, the little stuffed bears got pulled apart, and I've pretty much gotten over it now.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas, which has been great fun! Richie put up this tree in the living room, except that it isn't real - you can't fool our noses. Then Richie sits back with a big glass of wine, and Christine hangs all sorts of enticing, shiny toys from the tree... we aren't allowed to have any of them, but they are still fun to look at and sniff. There are also lots of other things in the living room that she has put out for us to smell - the best one is this little stuffed "Santa" (whatever that is) but it has fur that smells like the rabbit next door all over it! I know Mischa is going to grab it one day, and then there will be hell to pay.

I think the best part about this Christmas season however, is the fact that Christine and Richie spend a lot of time in the living room, with that fire thingy going, and we get to lie on the floor by their feet - something we Berners are very good at.

Smelly cat...

So last night, we were sleeping in our "safe room" (otherwise known as the laundry room), and we woke to a strange smell. Mischa went outside, so I naturally followed her. There was this strange-looking black cat (although we can't see in colour, so it could have been really dark brown or something) with a white stripe on it, sauntering across our backyard.

Of course, Mischa and I started after it, but when we got close, it sprayed some yucky smelling fluid at us! Now we both smell bad, even after Christine had to get up in the middle of the night to bathe us. Yucky.

Paisley

Our summer vacation

So we all got in the Rover for a long trip recently. We went to a place called Shuswap Lake Provincial Park. When we got there, we went directly to the beach, as Paisley and I were hot from traveling. Who did we meet on the beach, but our friends Greg, Shannon and Bentley!

Later on, Richie and Christine set up that flimsy house thing, and we all slept together in it! What fun - early in the morning, one of us would try to snuggle up with them, as they were lying down on the ground with us!

We had a great time running around the park and chasing each other in the morning dew. After that, it got too hot for us to run around, so we went to the lake instead. Here is Paisley swimming - notice how she tries to get her front paws out of the water!

Richie tried to help her swim better by lifting her bum up, but that would only help her get back to shore. Each time she came back into the lake, she would flounder again. Here I am, fetching a frisbee and demonstrating great style and enthusiasm!

Anyhow, after three sleeps, we left and headed to Richie's parents' place for a few nights.

After what seemed like hours in the Rover on the way home, we were stopped on 12th Avenue, by a doggy sitting in the middle of the road! Richie honked, but Christine was worried that a car might hit the pooch, so she jumped out to rescue her. When she got the doggy back in the Rover, Paisley and I wanted to get a sniff, but we couldn't get close enough. She was a snorting, snuffling thing however... she sneezed and stuff came out of her nose and hit Richie on the arm!

This is Lola - we found out her name when we dropped her off at the Vancouver Animal Control; she was welcomed by the staff there, and ultimately re-united with her humans.

When we got home, we were dirty and I was a little itchy in spots, so both of us got a "flea bath" - not sure how it is any different than the bath I get when we go to the spa, but we both smell clean and I'm not as itchy anymore! We were so tired from our trip, that all we wanted to do that evening was lie on the floor with our Mickey Mouse towels wrapped around us while our fur dried out.

And that ends our summer vacation - see you next time!

Mischa

Hot summer days

It has been really hot lately, and so Paisley and I have been hanging out on the cool concrete a lot. Lupin came over for a couple of days, and we all went to the beach for a romp in the ocean.

Meanwhile, back at home, Richie made a lounge chair from some used cedar deck boards that he pulled up a few weeks back. Once it was finished, Christine was trying it out on Sunday, and I thought I would try it out for myself - it is very comfy!

As you can see, I worked my way onto the middle of the lounger, and pretty much pushed Christine off! No matter, we all got a chance to try it out.

Mischa

Keeping busy in the backyard

Well, the weather finally got better this summer, and so Christine put Richie to work on a backyard makeover. I think it was just fine the way it was - lots of places to dig, plenty of plants and shrubs to chew on/pull out of the ground. Regardless, it's been great fun hanging out with them in the yard, while they dig, build and create. Weekend after weekend, they've been toiling in the backyard, while we hang out and see what they are up to.

One of the things they have been doing, is excavating a new area for more of that solid stuff called "concrete" - when they were digging up the dirt, Richie pulled out two stumps, and they left great holes in the ground for us to lie in (above).

But sometimes, when left to our own for a bit, we'd still get into a bit of trouble - like Mischa here, got a hold of one of Richie's outdoor pillows, and - well, you can see for yourself what she's done to it.

This past weekend, while Richie was busy doing something, Christine set up this flimsy house in the yard - it was great fun to play in... apparently we are going to be spending more time in this thing soon. Not sure what that is all about. I guess we will see!

Paisley

3-month update

Well, here we are, after a full 3 months at my new home, and it's been nothing but fun and games. Our day starts at around 6 am (like we can tell time?), when Mischa gets up and we go outside through the dog-door. She leads us upstairs onto the deck, and she scratches at the door to wake up Christine and Richie. It doesn't usually work, but after a little while (again, no concept of time), someone comes and opens the door. We have a delicious breakfast, and sometimes get a small treat like a bite of banana, or maybe a couple of slurps of milk from the bottom of a cereal bowl.

Mischa and I lying back-to-back while we get tummy rubs from Christine

A little while later, we go for a walk down to the Starbucks, and we usually meet lots of people that want to pet us. After we walk back home, Richie goes inside for what seems like forever - no matter, because Mischa and I play hard... we run around and chase each other, play tug-o-war, or dig in our sandbox. Then we sleep - lots; I like to go back into our room since it's nice and cool there, but Mischa likes to stay outside.

Sometimes, Richie will come out and say hi to us, or let us in for a sleep on the kitchen floor while he has lunch. Other times, he goes away in the car, and comes back an undetermined amount of time later. We greet him like we haven't seen him in years.

Some amount of time later, Mischa runs to the garage for some reason - it is usually followed by Christine appearing! I don't know how Mischa knows that she will appear - must be psychic or something. We have another scrumptious dinner, followed by some sort of evening hijinx - a trip to the park, a walk, or just hanging out with Christine and Richie. More sleeping, and then it's time for bed!

My human went all the way to New York, and all I got was this silly thing!

Paisley

Paisley went swimming!

Well, kinda. See, we went to the fun park down in False Creek this evening, and there were so many dogs to play with! Paisley went around and greeted all the humans, while I went around and checked out all the other 4-legged friends. After a few quick romps, I headed straight for the duck pond! Christine and Richie called for me not to go in, but that wasn't going to stop me.

Anyhow, after that, we went over to the waterfall area, and we had a great time running around. That was when Paisley took one too many steps off the submerged rock ledge, and her head went right under the water! Christine and Richie laughed hard, but Paisley was able to pull herself back out. But then another minute later, she went around to the other edge, and I don't know what she was thinking, but she stepped right in again! This time she went all the way in, and after she came back up, she paddled right back to the rocks and climbed out. You should have seen it - too funny!

Mischa

What fun!

Here's a video of Paisley and I playing in the backyard earlier tonight:

After that, we went to get groceries - of course, I pulled the cart. Now we are really tired!

Mischa

Our long weekend

So last weekend, we got dropped off at Richie's sister's place (Lupin's human), and we spent 4 sleeps there! We had a great time, as Paisley and I played hard and ran around the (big) backyard.

Lupin wasn't quite sure what to make of us at first, but eventually, the three of us were like our own little pack. We would go for a walk - all three of us, and it was a riot trying to keep us all going in the same direction at the same time!

But after a long, hot weekend, we were happy to see Christine and Richie again to come take us home.

Mischa

Some pics to update you

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted some pics, but we've been really busy around here. As you can see, the sanbox/playpen is a big hit, and Paisley and I play in there all the time. Sometimes, I'll just go lie in the cool sand and hang out by myself.

But when we're inside, you'll usually find us sprawled out on the kitchen floor, or snuggled together on our new bed in the TV room.

I got a great treat the other day, when Christine finished a jar of peanut butter, and I got to lick out the rest - well, as much as I could - it's really hard to get your tongue into the bottom corners!

I thought this picture of Paisley was pretty funny - this is a new toy that Richie brought home the other day. It is supposed to be almost indestructible... we'll see about that.

Mischa

Best buddies

Now that I have had a full month here, I thought I'd let you all know that Mischa and I have become best buddies. We do almost everything together - we eat, walk, play, and sleep together! She's been a great companion for me, and I think I've been good for her too. She does some pretty crazy stuff sometimes, but she's also been showing me the fun stuff to do. Like watching the bunny next door, or digging in the garden (or our new sandbox)!

But, more often than not, you can find the two of us hanging out with each other on the kitchen floor or the outside deck(or sleeping). That's me on the outside spoon above.

Paisley

Our new sandbox

There's been some weird stuff going on in the backyard lately, and I think it might have to do something with me. See, earlier this spring, Christine and Richie put down a bunch of really neat smelling dirt on the area of my grass where Idaho and I had torn it up with our playing. After they put a flimsy fence around it, I jump in there and dig a new hole. Richie would come out and I would get sprayed with the hose for some reason.

Anyhow, I have also been teaching Paisley how to dig, as she doesn't seem to do it on her own. But for some reason, Richie would come out and spray our paws with water! I don't really know how he knows we've been digging, but he figures it out somehow. So yesterday, they dug up all this dirt (and we get in trouble for doing this!) and put down a wooden thingy - I'm helping... well, maybe getting in the way at least. Anyhow, apparently there is going to be some sand put in this thingy, and we will be allowed to dig 'til our hearts content.

Here you can see Paisley sitting on all the freshly dug-up dirt - we dogs love to lie in fresh dirt! I guess they are saving this dirt so that they can put it in all the holes I will be digging all summer!

Mischa

New bed!

So the other day, Paisley and I were mucking around with a water bottle that I found on the counter. I of course, can get the lid off the bottle, and the contents emptied out onto my bed. When Christine saw this, I think she thought that Paisley peed on it! Anyhow, Richie came home that day with a big, round bed!

Here you can see both of us sharing the bed, while we work on getting treats out of our kongs. This is a great game that Richie likes to play on us - makes us work hard for our treats - I think it has something to do with keeping us busy however. Anyhow - we are both enjoying our new bed in the TV room!

Mischa

No optical illusions here

Remember this optical illusion when you were a kid? It used to be in the back of comic books that Richie used to read. I mean, I wasn't even close to being born, but it shows two curves that are actually the same size, but when placed side-by-side, you brain fools you into thinking that the curve on the bottom is larger.

Well, here's a good pic that shows you the size difference between me and Mischa - that's me on the bottom. And no, it's not an optical illusion created by a wide-angle lens... I really am that much bigger than her. We'll see how I look after I lose my winter fur, and manage to drop a few pounds.

Paisley

Having a great time!

Mischa and I have been having a great time together! On the weekend, we went to a big area with a bunch of trails and trees (called the Endowment Lands, apparently). We spent about an hour walking and running around, chasing after squirrels we hear, meeting other dogs, and playing in the water!

We've also been having lots of fun at home - we play tug-o'-war lots, and she's been very good at sharing her toys with me. I don't think Richie likes it when we play inside, as I'm so tall that it blocks his view of the TV! Anyhow, it might look like I'm guilty in the picture above, but it was her, not me... really.

Paisley

So who was Paisley the First?

The original Paisley was a beautiful Berner that spent a lot of time with Richie. She actually belonged to Richie's sister, Deb, but on many occasions, Richie would take care of Paisley. They would go camping and fishing together, and they formed a very strong bond.

Paisley was a big female too, not as big as me perhaps, but she was definitely a handful! She would get into all sorts of trouble at Deb's house, but for some reason, didn't give Richie much trouble. Unfortunately, Paisley passed away early - at about 6 1/2 years old. But it was Paisley that got Richie hooked on us Berners, so I have her to thank for my new life here in Cambie.

So for a little over two years, I've been called "Pazi" - when Richie found out that was my name, he knew I would respond just as easily to "Paisley". I wish I could have met my namesake, but I'm sure I'll live up to her expectations!

Paisley II

Hi, my name is Paisley...

the second, that is. I am new to this place, but am here to stay. I met my new human parents today, Christine and Richie, and my new sister, Mischa. After some introductions, I hopped right into the back of the Rover (they even have a car named after a dog!) and brought me back to my new home in Cambie.

There was a bit of a welcoming party with the neighbourhood dogs, as Idaho and Daisy came over to greet me. I was a bit nervous all day, but I think I am going to like it here. I got a nice bit of brushing right away, and we went for a long walk to the DVD rental place. I have been on my best behaviour - Kelly led them to believe that I would be hard to handle "on-leash", but I have been very good to my new owners.

Don't get me wrong - I have some bad habits; it is nothing for me to run into the theatre room and jump on the couch. And let's face it, I'm a big dog, and when I want to do something, it's hard to stop me. A female berner is supposed to be ~23 to 26 inches at the shoulders - I'm closer to 28 inches! When you combine my ~100 lbs. with a thick, winter coat, I look like a big bear - which is my new nickname. Mischa is actually a decent sized girl at 24 inches and 85 lbs., but there is definitely a new sherriff in town!

Paisley II

How did this happen?

So the other weekend, Christine and Richie spent a bit of time putting down this wonderful smelling dirt (apparently called "topsoil") over the area of yard that Idaho and I have been shredding up over the winter. Then Richie put up this crazy orange (like I can see colour) fence around the newly seeded area.

Well, I couldn't resist the smell of that new dirt, and I had to jump over the flimsy fence so that I could dig and stuff. But after a bit of playing in there, I realized it was harder to get out of the area than it was to get in. Richie came out from his office, and there I was, busted - caught with the dirt still stuck between my paws. He wasn't very happy, and I got scolded and squirted with the water pistol again. After that, he put up a more substantial fence, and I don't think I can jump over it anymore. No bother, I'll just dig underneath it.

Mischa

Weekend with the mini-humans

So Christine's nieces came over for the weekend again, and they didn't bring Max along. That's ok, as I got all the attention from them - I loved it! We went for a walk to the grocery store with my cart again, and when it was empty, Richie put Jaeda in it! I pulled it no problem, of course.

We also went for a walk down by the sea - I ran straight into the duck pond, but those silly ducks fly away. So I decided to go swimming in the ocean instead - I went into False Creek, and after a few strokes, I would look back at Christine and her nieces, wondering why they weren't coming in with me.

After a long day of playing, I was just happy to hang out with these little humans and bask in the attention.

Mischa