I hurt my paw

We went on another road trip recently. It seemed like a long time - longer than it takes for us to go see Richie's parents. But when we got to our destination, there was snow there! We were at Christine's sister's place, and that puppy Rufus was there. It was so fun up there, even though there was only a little bit of snow.

We took a nice walk in the neighbourhood, and ended up at this spot by a lake. It was pretty cold out, so I decided not to go wading in the water... that made Richie happy for some reason. But there was lots of hanging out inside the cabin, and when Rufus would calm down, we could both get a little bit of a nap in.

On our second day there, we went for another walk along a trail. I was having fun exploring, when I fell through a deep patch of snow. But something poked me on the bottom of my paw, and when I got out of there, I was holding it up for Christine to see. There was this stuff dripping from my paw, and when I licked it, it tasted like the bar stool that I often lick at home.

Anyhow, we rushed back to the cabin, where everyone was hovering over me and Richie held my paw tight until that stuff was no longer coming out. Then they wrapped up my paw and part of my leg  with some stuff, and then put a silly rubber glove over top, so I could still go out in the snow. It seemed like a lot of drama, but I didn't put up much of a fuss. I didn't even try to get the glove off, but it sure was hard to walk with.

Anyhow, we've been home now for what seems like a week, and I keep getting new bandages put on my paw. Apparently, there is still more healing to do, as I'm getting limited access to the backyard, and have to put on a rubber bootie each time I do. I am so ready for this to be over.

Buddy

More Cooper time

Yet again, we went for a car ride to my brother Cooper's place, and much to my dismay, I got left behind! Ok, once I got over Richie leaving, Cooper and I played hard. But we are pretty used to each other now, and sometimes I'm the instigator of the wrestling, sometimes it's Cooper. After a while, we calm down, and we resume our positions, holding the floor down.

We would also go on visits to new places that I'd never been... here's a couple of pics from a farm that we went to one day to hang out. Of course, after a number of sleeps, Richie and Christine came to get me, and I greeted them with much jubilation!

On another day, we got in the car and went back to a doggie park that we had been to a long time ago. And again, Cooper was there! We ran around and sniffed so much, and then we found a big muddy puddle!

I love to lie down in the cool water and drink, but this did not make the humans very happy. Cooper came over to see what the fuss was about, but didn't lie in the puddle with me.

We eventually resumed our walking, and I got a little bit of that mud off. Regardless, when we got home, I got hosed down for some reason. But it's always fun to see my brother Cooper!

Buddy

No more summer

Today was the first full day of fall, or so they tell me. We had some visitors show up one sleep before that; humans that I had met a long time ago, when I was just getting acquainted with my new home. This time, they stayed with us, and they brought their little doggie, Zeus.

They tell me he's about 6 years old, but you'd never know it by his size... he's about the same as my stuffed toys! Anyhow, he was pretty chill, and we got along pretty well, despite our size difference. I tried a few times to get him to play (instigated with my downward dog action), but he wouldn't go for it.

We did go for a good walk this morning together, and on our way back, we came across a lawn fully covered in snow! I don't know why it was there, but we didn't care, as Zeus ran around on the crunchy white stuff, and I tried to chase after him. But he was way too fast and nimble for me, so I decided to lay down on it, and munch away at it.

I don't know how long it will be before we get to see snow again, but I hope it is very soon, as I love it! Anyhow, after we got home, our visitors packed up and went away, so I have the house to myself again.

Buddy

A little more summer fun

Dog, has it ever been a hot, dry summer - well, in my brief experience, that is. I've been hanging out with Richie in the basement and out on the cool patio, and we've been keeping our afternoon walks brief and in the shade. I don't mind, and in truth, I'm still healing up from hurting my leg. A while back, I got excited, and tried to take off from the basement too quickly. My paws lost traction on the slippery floor, and I really hurt my leg. I was scared of the floor for a little while, so Richie put down a carpet there so I won't slip anymore.

We have been eating and entertaining a lot, and we had Tyson and his humans over recently. He doesn't really like me, and when I try to play with him, he growls at me. They tell me it's because he's old, but I don't see what that has to do with anything.

Here's a fun pic of me trying to get some hugs from Christine one afternoon hanging out on the patio. I love doing this to them once in a while. Then this past weekend (or so they tell me), Richie was busy moving things around on the deck, as it finally rained! It was the one evening where they were going to have a bunch of their friends over, and so they set up to host everyone on the deck instead of the patio.

I don't know what all this stuff is for, but I like to be in the centre of all the action! There were a lot of humans that came by, and I tried my best to get snacks and paper napkins from them. Even when they weren't eating, I'd lie in the middle of the circle, hoping someone would pet me on the head or rub my belly.

Anyhow, I think summer is winding down, so I think we'll be able to get out into the trails near UBC again soon.

Buddy

Another Cooper visit

We took another car ride yesterday out to Cooper's place, for something called "Game of Thrones" night. I don't know what that is, but we spent the first part of the evening hanging out and eating pizza! Ok, so I didn't get any, but I know pizza when I smell it. Cooper would not leave me alone, and was constantly trying to take me down by grabbing my front legs in his jaws.

I mean, I didn't back down much, but when I got tired of it, I'd try to go somewhere away from him so that he couldn't bug me. At least with my head tucked between Richie's legs, he couldn't attack me from the front.

We were also hanging out on the deck, and I figured that since the blanket smelled like Cooper, that it was ok to hop up there and hang out too. But it was hot lying up there, so I didn't last too long.

After they ate, we all went downstairs and they sat and watched the moving picture thing. Cooper was relentless again, so they had to set up a barrier so that he couldn't get in and get at me... whew! But all in all, it was a fun night at Cooper's place, again.

Buddy

One year update

Hi there everyone. Richie tells me that I have been here for a full year now, so I thought I would fill you all in on how things have been going here in Cambie.

I have really settled down here, and for the most part, no longer have any of the apparently bad behaviours that I had arrived with. Ok, so I still can't be trusted with the toilet paper roll, and once in a very rare while, I do a little bit of digging in the backyard. I still don't get access to the laundry hamper, but I'm not as obsessed with getting socks and gloves as I used to be. Yep, this place really feels like home now, and I have been acting like a doggie twice my age.

You see, this place is very secure and I feel comfortable that my humans are going to be here to take care of me. Richie is here almost all the time to hang out with, and even when he does go away, either he or Christine comes home later. Not that it really matters, as I come and go (outside) as I please. Actually, these days, I've been sleeping a lot outside on the cool tile and only come in later to spend the rest of the night in the basement.

I've even started behaving like a guard doggie sometimes... I can tell if it's Richie or Christine coming into the house, but if someone knocks on the door, or is making noise behind the garage, I give my best, deepest bark - Halt! Who goes there!?! One of Richie's neighbours even said that he wouldn't come into the backyard unannounced... little do they know that I'm really just a big scaredy cat.

Here's to another new year!

Buddy

Point Roberts getaway

Another summer weekend, and off we go to Christine's parent's cabin again. But this time, they aren't there, and it's just us? We had a pretty quiet first evening there, and Christine was busy organizing the spare bedroom for some reason.

My new dog house?

The next day, Richie put up this new room outside for some reason. I thought, "This is awesome! Is this where I get to stay?". I tried to help him with the soft air thingys, but apparently I was making it difficult, so he shooed me out of there. I found out later that our friends were coming to stay with us, and this is where the small humans were going to sleep.

We spent almost all of our time outdoors, and we had all our meals out on the deck. One day, I decided it would be nice to lay up on the cushy chair, and eat my breakfast off of Richie's lap. 

I also had my dinner out on the grass... you will notice that in all of the pictures, I have a tether attached. That's because if left on my own accord, I tend to wander a bit, and then it is a good game to try and get me back to the cabin. I'm not used to it, and I'm constantly getting tangled up, or tripping up the humans.

They spent a lot of time playing silly games, and I was not allowed to play along, so I would stay out of the sun, and watch the action from the deck.

Here I am, on one evening, taking up all of the space on the comfy chair, so that Richie has to sit perched on the edge. Why should the humans get all of the good spots to hang out?

Here's a good one of me with my humans, hanging out at the seawall while Heather and Tyson played fetch in the water. I don't know how to fetch, and they tell me that my fur gets a bit smelly if I go in the ocean, so I stayed up on dry land.

I had a good time down there with my humans and all my friends, but when Richie started packing up the car to go home, I was the first one in. I don't get my naps in with all of the action down there, so when we got home, I slept for what seemed like two days.

Buddy

Long weekend away

We went away for a long drive recently... longer than our trips to Point Roberts, or a drive to my brother Cooper's place. This seemed like an awfully long trip, as I sure slept lots. We finally arrived at Richie's parent's house in a place called Kamloops. Richie's other brother Daryl showed up with that poo-poo head Harley, who still didn't want to play with me. They also brought their kitty, and surprisingly we got along ok. We'd even lie on the cool floor in the basement together. It was really hot there, so we spent most of my first afternoon and evening there in the air-conditioned house. But after it cooled down, we went out into their backyard. I was so excited, and ran around on the concrete and out onto the blue tarp thing. But what happened! All of a sudden, I was in water, and not like at the beach where my paws are still touching the sand! No, this was full swimming, and I splashed for a few seconds and paddled to a spot where Richie grabbed me by the collar and pulled me out. It turns out they have a "swimming pool", and there is this thing on it at night that makes it look like I can walk on it, but I can't.

Here's Richie showing off, as he jumps into the pool, as I watch, cautiously. The humans spend hours lying by the pool, or in it, apparently to stay cool. I however, stayed on the shady concrete areas, and so I didn't get too hot.

Then on our last day there, Richie's sister showed up with my old pal Barney, and a new cousin named Rosie! She is a 12-week old Newfoundlander, and is supposed to be a water dog, by nature. Richie and Deb tried to get her to swim - not like my experience, but with a floaty thing on, and gradually going into the water, very slowly. She did it, but did not seem to like it - I don't blame her.

Anyhow, after that, we all just hung out in the shade, and even managed to get all of us sitting nicely for a few seconds so that Richie could get another silly picture. After two hot days, we got back in the car and came back home, where I was only too happy to relax on my cool, shady grass.

Buddy

Busy week!

Ok. We dogs really have no concept of time, so I'm not sure if it's been a week or what. But what seems like a number of sleeps ago, my cousin Harley showed up for a visit, and he's been here ever since. I really want him to play with me, but he doesn't want to. I even "bluff-charge" him, and he doesn't budge!

I guess it has something to do with his size (or mine?) and the fact that he's much older than I am. Who doesn't want to play with me? Anyhow, after a few sleeps, we went down to the cabin for a couple of sleeps. On our first day, after our morning walk, Richie unclipped my leash, and I ran straight for the ditch! The water in it was wonderfully smelly, but this did not make him happy, and I ended up getting a rinsed off and put onto a long tether.

I don't really have much wanderlust, and for the most part, prefer to be as close to Richie as I can. Sometimes, my rope would get caught on patio furniture and stuff, and I'd end up either dragging stuff around, or someone would have to get up and free me from the obstruction. Other than that, Point Roberts was pretty uneventful, but with the nice weather, we spent a lot of time outdoors.

When we got home, Richie and Christine were busy getting the patio prepared for an evening with some friends. And then my brother Cooper and his humans showed up! We played and played... sometimes right in the middle of the patio, until someone would shoo us over onto the grass to wrestle instead.


And then the next morning, we went for a car-ride down to the river, and who shows up but my other brother Winston and my sister Rilee! How this happens, I'll never know, but it was really fun!

Another couple of Berners showed up at the beach too, so there was a total of six of us Swiss-made doggies running around and wading in the river! Phew... that was a lot of action for one week.

Buddy

My spring vacation

A while ago, Richie and I went for a car-ride (remember the time when I didn't like to go for those?) and after a while, we ended up at Cooper's place! We went out to the backyard to play, and when I came back inside looking for Richie, he was gone! Turns out, they went away on vacation, and left me with Cooper and his humans. I was a little freaked out at first, because Richie and I are almost always together... where was he?

Not to worry, as Cooper and I got along great, and after a while, I settled right in. When we weren't outside exploring (he has a much bigger backyard than I do), digging or playing in the pool, we'd hang out together inside. Wherever he went, so would I. If I got up, he'd come along - we were inseparable. 

Twice the Berner Love on the Bed!

We'd also go on outings to the park or the beach, and we'd play and play! I over exerted myself a bit, one day, and I got limpy again. I'd have something to eat, and then my leg would feel better for some reason. 

We played lots of at the beach again, and I got a bit limpy near the end of our day. When will I learn? But Cooper's humans thought we needed a cleanup, so we went to this place:

Here I am, getting blow-dried after a bath. This is a special doggie-wash section of the wonderful-smelling place that Richie takes me to. I didn't mind too much, and after a short while, we were back at Cooper's place.

And then before you know it, Richie and Christine were there to pick me up! I was excited to see them, and gave them my big Berner hugs! I had a great time with Cooper and his humans, but I'm really happy to be back home with mine.

Buddy

Charlie's visit

I have met this little doggie on other occasions, when Christine takes me out for a walk with her human. But the other day, Charlie got dropped off at our place to stay with us!

Ok, so she's not too fond of me - I've been told that I can come on a bit too strong sometimes. She growls at me when I'm getting a little too close, and so I have to keep my distance. As much as I try, she really doesn't want anything to do with me. Even when we go for our walks, she stays on the other side of Richie, so I can't get in her face.

This is pretty much the only time she will allow me to be nose-to-nose with her - when one of us is on the other side of the door. I go out, she comes in. I come in, she goes out. Hmm... I think there is a message here, but I'm not getting it. Anyhow, after 2 sleeps, she went back to her human. Oh well.

Buddy

Is it finally Spring?

We dogs are pretty smart, and can tell when things are-a-changing. Like when we had all of that snow a while ago - that signifies the season that humans call Winter. When it's really hot, and all I want to do is hang out on the cool tile - that's Summer. Anyhow, I think it is Spring now, as Christine and Richie are doing more things outdoors. Like the other day, when Richie put some weird shoes on that had spikes on the bottom - he walked slowly around the backyard, apparently "aerating" the grass. All I know, is that he wouldn't play with me while he had those silly shoes on. So I bit him on the bum.

And then today, we went for a nice walk out to the UBC Endowment Lands again. I like going there, but sometimes the humans don't want to go because it will be too muddy - whatever. It was great today though, and all of the water holes were fresh and clear. Great for cooling my paws and getting a much needed drink!

Back at the house, Richie was busy in the garage doing something - I heard some noisy stuff, and then he was washing the things on the bottom of the car that go around... "changing the tires" or something like that. I guess it really is spring? Then we went out to the front yard, and I got some brushing, and then a little ear trimming. I make like I'm putting up a fuss, but it doesn't really bother me - it's just fun to make Richie work harder to get it done. Anyhow, I'm glad Spring is finally here, cuz it means that we will be spending more time outside.

Buddy

Film star

Yesterday, I fulfilled my destiny to be on film (my first name was Brando)! It all started with a car ride to a place I had not been before; it had all of those film trucks and trailers that I have seen parked in front of our house in the past. We parked the Rover, and then we got into another big van that dropped us off at a big place with other humans hanging around. Apparently this is called "Background Holding"; where us budding stars hang out while we wait for our scene to be shot. We spent a long time hanging out here, but I didn't mind, as I was getting lots of attention and love, and even some cuddles from another performer who put a blanket on the ground and sat with me. Everyone wanted to take "selfies" with me - I must be some sort of star?

My human and I get some fresh air waiting for our scene

If I could tell time, I would say we spent hours doing nothing (ok, Richie was reading a book). Once in a while, the "Background Wrangler" would come in and ask for a few performers to come to set to do their thing. Then later on, the crew came in and had their lunch - I got even more attention then. I had mine too, and we would also go for short walks around the set. Then finally, the wrangler comes in and says, "man with dog", and we were off for our scene!

On my first mark watching the AD and crew

Just around the corner from Holding, there were all these humans with stuff hanging about. Another human came up to Richie and gave him instructions on where we were to go, and when to do it. So we went to our "first mark", and waited for our cue to go. Everyone gets ready, and then we hear "Roll sound! Rolling! Background! Action!". The Assistant Director (AD) gives Richie a tap on the shoulder,  and we are off walking past the cameras and actors, and then another human says, "Cut!". We did this three times (I think); you are supposed to do it exactly the same each time, if possible. I performed admirably, walking straight, without being distracted by the other performers, or the other humans, and I didn't look at the camera (which is a no-no). When we finished our scene, I was mobbed again by crew members who wanted to meet and pet me. We then went back to Holding, and after gathering our things and saying goodbye to our new friends, hopped in the van and got taken back to the Rover for another car ride home. What a day - I wonder if I will be on TV again soon?

Buddy

Editor's note: The TV show, "Somewhere Between", premiered recently, but unfortunately due to the camera angle, Buddy did not get seen in the final cut.

Cooper Sunday

Cooper in mid-flight

We went for a car ride again yesterday, and we arrived at this park by the river, when who should we find there, but my brother Cooper and his humans! We immediately started exploring this new area, and we ran around on the grass and looked for muddy areas to play in. 

Not to worry, because after we got good and dirty, we went down to the river to get cleaned up. I ran back and forth, then up and down the bank, with Cooper chasing me the whole time. We got back up to the play area, and we played chase, and wrestled around on the ground for a bit, so it was back to the river for more rinsing.

"Thirsty anyone?"

It was also great to grab a drink while rinsing off all that mud. For some reason, I still got a bucket wash when we got back to the car. I like to push my head through Richie's legs when he's trying to towel me off, and he ends up getting just as wet as me. BOL!

After another short drive, we ended up at Cooper's place! I explored the backyard with him, and then we sat on the floor as they had lunch. That Cooper kept trying to nip my paws, and so we would end up getting into it right there in the TV room - much to our humans' dismay.

But after a week with Linden, it's really awesome to have another doggie that would actually play with me. I didn't like their stairs however, as they seemed too steep - so I went down on the back patio stairs. I hope we get to do this again soon - thanks Cooper and humans!

Buddy

Linden sitting

You know that retriever from the next block down? Yeah, the one that barks at us when we walk by the front of his house? Well, the other day, we went walking down their block, and Christine went into a backyard, and brought Linden home with us! He's a little bit older than me, and I don't think he really likes it when I try to egg him into some wrestling. But I was really good, and I gave him his space.

You can see above, that I'm not crowding him on the bed - he would give a little warning when I was getting in his face too much. For the most part, we spent our days sleeping, so not much of an issue, really.

We went out to the Endowment lands one morning, and that crazy Linden would lie down in the mud puddles! That was ok apparently, so when we got to the big puddle, both of us went in for a dip. It didn't get all the mud off however, and we both got a bit of a cleanup when we got home.

Here's a new spot that I found to sleep in... most of the time, I hop up here at night, and grab a few ZZZs before I move to my next spot. But Linden must have seen me up there, as he decided to try it out:

You'll notice that he doesn't "fill" the space as well as I do however. Anyhow, he spend most of the time sleeping on the bed - something I can't do for very long, as I get too warm up there.

After about 5 days (who can count, really), Linden started to warm up to me, and on a couple of afternoons after returning from our walk, we actually did some wrassling! I went easy on the old guy, as I could have easily taken him.

Here we are, hanging out in the front yard, on Linden's last day with us... the sun came out, and I got a nice brushing out on the grass from Richie. I liked it so much, that I bit him on the bum.

Buddy