A very Covid Christmas

This thing called "pandemic" never seems to end. And this year, it seems to have impacted the Christmas season. See, normally, there would lots of great smelling foods and snacks around this time, but apparently since there will be no humans visiting, they aren't preparing very much. Sure, the tree that doesn't smell like a tree is back, but there are almost no presents under there for me to shred the paper off of. I still got to lick the plates after they had their turkey dinner, so at least that part was the same.

And what about snow? I thought we normally get snow around Christmas, so that I can go frolicking in the park? But this year, we had to settle for a really heavy frost one morning, and so we went to the park to check it out. If you squint your eyes a bit, you can pretend it is snow instead.

We didn't go visit Christine's parents this year, as that wasn't allowed, apparently. Even so, we still got dressed up for our annual family Christmas photo in front of the tree - look at me in a tux!

Buddy

I fell down the stairs

The other day, I went up to see Christine in her office upstairs. After I had been visiting for long enough, I decided it was time to go back downstairs. But for some reason, on the way back down, instead of taking each step one at a time, I ended up at the bottom in a pile! I could tell that I had hurt my leg, as I was holding it up off the ground when Richie came to see what the commotion was all about. 

It hurt quite a bit, but I think I was more embarrassed that I had, once again, been unable to go down the stairs by myself. After a bit of hobbling around, I managed to get a treat of peanut butter for some reason, and it didn't hurt so much after. 

That didn't stop me from playing lame for a few days. When Richie would ask, "wanna go for a walk and sniffie?", I'd simply lie on the bed, feigning disinterest. I'm not that crazy about going for walks at the best of times - why would I want to go when my leg hurts? Anyhow, after about a week, I had to give up the ruse, as I wasn't feeling any pain in my leg anymore.

But that didn't stop me from trying to go upstairs again! See, Richie has been at work a lot - yes, even during this pandemic, and so I needed to go up there to get some cuddles from Christine. But now they have put this thing in the way to prevent me from going up the stairs! Hmph.

Buddy

Fall is here

The days seem to be getting shorter, and the nights are definitely cooler - I should know, as I sleep outside for a while most nights. But it's perfect weather for me to go on longer walks, as I don't get too overheated during this time of year. We even went out to the big forest park for a long walk n' sniff, as I like to call it. I just wish that Christine and Richie would walk slower, so I had more time to smell it all in. 

I also went back to work with Richie recently on a TV show called "Kung Fu". I have no idea what that is all about, but I had a great time with him, walking around in a park in an area called "Yaletown". As usual, I got lots of attention and pets from the humans working there, and even got recognized by a policeman who was working with us long ago on "A Million Little Things". I must be famous.

I think I've said this before, but this is my favourite time of year. Not just because the temperature is cooler, but there are all of these leaves that have fallen now, and the humans are so kind to make big piles of them for me to rummage through (and pee on). 

And sometimes, usually on weekends (but Richie and I don't understand the concept of weekdays vs. weekends), Christine will come with us on our neighbourhood walkabouts. It's so colourful right now - I just wish I could see them.

Buddy

Brief summer update

Well, it's still a pandemic here, but that seems A-ok with me, as now we are spending almost all our time outside in the backyard! It was so hot out the other day, that Christine got out my big drinking dish! I think one of my favourite things is standing in it while drinking... or sometimes lying in it. 

Then one evening, my brother and step-sis came over to visit again! I guess the humans are "social-distancing", but that doesn't apply to us Berners. It took quite a bit for us to line up for this photo, as we are constantly moving around and wrestling etc.

And then on one day recently, I went to the dogtor, but Richie left me there! I didn't like that, and tried to leave with him, but darn that floor is so slippery, and they had no trouble ushering me into the back. They gave me something that made me sleepy, and then I woke up without having any dreams. My teeth feel different now however.

Anyhow, that's your end-of-summer update from the Cambie Berner.

Buddy

I have a new cousin!

I would like you to meet my new cousin, Tonka! He is another Great Pyrenees, like my other cousin Barney, who has sadly passed over the rainbow bridge. We went out to meet him yesterday, but I wasn't really that interested in him. 

You see, they have a huge watering hole in their backyard! As soon as I got there, Rosie was very excited to show me around, and get me in for a dip. Of course, I was very leery, as I couldn't really see the bottom, and only waded in to my ankles.

Rosie wanted to play with me, but she's way too crazy! I just wanted to sniff around and check things out, but she was all up in my face. Tonka tried to come over a few times, but he's too little, and would easily get knocked over by his sister.

Anyhow, it was nice to get out someplace new during this pandemic lockdown. 

Buddy

A big walk with my extended family

So this morning, we got into the car and went on a long drive, and when we got there, who was waiting for us, but my brother Cooper and step-sis River, and also my cousin Rosie!

It was that place I had been to before, with the water that runs beside the path that the humans walk on. We prefer to go down and splash around in the water of course. Rosie, being a Newfie, is made for this!

Every once in a while, I'd stop to munch on some grass, or grab a drink from the little stream. We'd go up and down, and back and forth - it was definitely a big dog day. 

Finally, after we've all had enough of trouncing around in the water, we all get called up to the path and are told to walk nicely - i.e. not get muddy again before getting back into our cars.

These excursions really wipe me out... now I can barely keep my eyes open. It was still fun catching up with my extended family however.

Buddy

Bath day!

You wouldn't think that I, of all dogs, would get excited about bath day. You see, I don't typically like "swimming", as I only usually go wading into the water up to my chest or so. On those times when I do get muddy and require a clean up when I get home, I resist getting hosed down as much as possible. And when it comes to getting the full wash & wax at the salon, I get all anxious when taken there, and can't wait to get the heck out of there.  

But something to do with this pandemic thing, and "non-essential" businesses being closed, Richie and Christine took me to the pet food store for a DIY doggie bath! They have these big tubs where my humans could lather me up without having to stoop down, and the water there is warm too. I had lots of fun shaking all over them, and then they used the dryers to fluff up my fur.

I had so much fun there, that when it was all over, I hopped back into the tub, so that they could do it all over again! Christine and Richie laughed at me, and so I got out, picked out a few treats from the aisles there, and then we went home.

Damn, I'm handsome.

Buddy

A visit from my Berner family!

I guess we are allowed to meet other humans, because on the weekend my Berner family came to hang out with us. The humans sat on opposite sides of the table, and stayed far apart, but I tussled a little with my brother Cooper... no social distancing there. River wanted to get in on the action, but isn't quite ready to keep up with the big dogs. 

I let Cooper play with my toys, as I don't really have a possessive nature; most of these are not even mine, as they got handed down from Mischa and Paisley. Robin had made something called "churros" again, and while I wasn't able to have one, I heard lots of "mmms" and "yummy!", so they must have been tasty.

After a little bit of playing and wrestling, we all settled down and relaxed while the humans ate their Mexican food - something to do with May the 5th, called Cinco de Mayo, but I don't know what that means.

Anyhow, it was great to see my family and some other humans other than Richie and Christine, during this pandemic.

Buddy 

Morning walkies

Well, it's been well over a month since this pandemic thing started, and everything has stayed the same for me. Richie and Christine are still here all the time, except when Richie goes out to get human food from the store. On the nice sunny days, we'll all go out for a nice walk n' sniff, like up to the Queen Elizabeth park near my place. 

It is strange however, when we see other humans at the park, we don't go over and meet them - the humans wave but then stay very far apart from other groups. I of course, have little interest in meeting other dogs, so continue wandering around, seeking out the best smells in the park.

Here's another day when we went to the forest park; again, we had to stay apart from other humans we'd encounter on the trails, but it was easy for me - I disregard almost everyone. There's still lots of good water holes to drink from, and it's been good for me to stretch my legs a bit after being cooped up at home.

Just a nice pic of me in the neighbourhood

Buddy

Pup in a pandemic

Well, apparently there is something going on in the world right now called a "global pandemic". I don't have a clue what that means, but it has meant that Christine no longer leaves every day to go somewhere. Instead, she goes upstairs for long periods of time.

Me, trying to keep Christine company upstairs

Sometimes, I'll go up there to visit with her, and often I'll have a nap there too. But then there's the issue of getting back downstairs. See, I am still a big scaredy-dog of going down those slippery stairs, and usually, I need some help. Sometimes they will throw treats at the bottom, so I need to go down to get them; other times they'll hold a towel up in front of me, so I don't get as apprehensive about it.

Another thing about this pandemic thing, is that no one is leaving the house anymore. Even on Sundays (who can tell what day it is, really?) Richie and Christine no longer go over to their friend's house for dinner. Instead, what they do is sit on the couch and talk "at" the coffee table, which is really weird. Sometimes I hear other voices, but no one new is here, so where are these other humans?

Even Richie is no longer going out during the day; he had been going out at least a couple of times a week, but now he has been "making self-tapes" for his TV and film stuff. Here I am providing direction for him in the makeshift audition studio. Anyhow, this pandemic thing really hasn't affected me; in fact, I think I prefer it, because Richie and Christine are always here with me.

Buddy

A quick road trip

Recently, we had an impromptu trip up to see Richie's parents in Kamloops. I am getting to be an old hand at road trips, and now we don't even have to stop halfway there for me to sniff around (I never pee mid-drive). Anyhow, it is not as nice up there as it is back home, but I managed to find a small patch of snow! 

As you can see, it's not green (different shade of grey for me) up here yet, but that doesn't stop us from going for walks every morning and afternoon. This little gully is pretty fun to walk through, and there are lots of good smells around here. Apparently this is the path that Richie would take to walk to school every day when he was living here.

Speaking of smells, the flowers are blooming back home, and you know, you have to stop and smell the flowers once in a while. Or someone else's pee.

Anyhow, I'm happy to be back home, as there's lots of talk these days about something called "covid", and I think I'd prefer stay close to home right now.

Buddy

Socks are not for eating

Well, I did it again. Yep, I ate some socks. I couldn't help myself... they were lying under some stuff in Richie's room, and so when I found them, I knew I had to have them! I swallowed both of them whole - just to make sure that no one would take them away from me. Anyways, a couple of days later, I wasn't feeling so good, so I barfed one out. But I still didn't feel good, and despite wanting to eat my dinner, I'd quickly barf it back out. 

"I feel strange, but need to pee."

So Richie took me to a new dogtor, this one is special apparently. They gave me something to relax, and took a special picture of my stomach, and found that the sock was lodged at the bottom of my stomach, blocking the exit. So then I had a little nap, and then woke up with a sore throat - apparently they got the other sock out via "endoscopy", whatever that means. 

Richie got me home, and was relieved that they managed to get the sock out without having to operate. They have had to do that before with me, as I guess I ate some stuff when I was with my first owners; might have been a Barbie doll, but can't remember anymore. Now I'm really tired, and hungry.

"Sorry I ate your socks Richie."

I think I have learned my lesson now - socks are not for eating.

Buddy

A quick jaunt to the Point

Christine's parents weren't using the cabin, so we loaded up the car for a quick trip to Point Roberts. It's a great time of year for me down there, as it is really cool still, and I can walk for quite a while without getting tuckered out.  

We walked (and I beachcombed) on a different beach one day, just to try something different. There are always such good smells down there - it's like a whole different world to me. I am usually well-behaved when I'm searching out stinky stuff - unlike my predecessors Mischa and Paisley, who would look for dead fish and other things to pick up. Yuck!

It's too cold for swimming, but I still went in to the water a few times, but just up to my elbows and knees. That kept Christine and Richie happy for some reason... I'll find something to make that change.

Buddy

Starting the New Year off right

We Berners don't actually understand the passage of time, but apparently it is the New Year, and so to celebrate, my brother Cooper and step-sis River showed up! Their humans came over too, of course, and they made good food and let me have a few scraps and lick the plates - yum!  

The next day, we all went for a long walk in the park, which was awesome! I got to show my Berner family all the best smells and where all the places were to get a drink. It is always more fun to tour in a big group, and we made lots of friends along the way.

When my brother and sister left, you would think it was time for Christine to go back to work, but no - we were still hanging out, going for walks. This is a longer than normal walk for me, all the way around the baseball stadium. Apparently Mischa, my predecessor, actually went to a game here with Richie and Christine one night!

Then a few sleeps later, it snowed! And not just a little bit of snow, where it melts later that day. No, it was real, bona fide snow! I love snow so much, I'll even lie outside and sleep in it! When Richie takes me for walks, I'll snuffle along with my nose deep in it, trying to find smells of things hidden under there.

We also went up to the park for some more pristine snow - you know, stuff that hasn't been all stepped on by other humans. Inside the tennis courts, there was so much fresh snow to run and play in, I didn't know what to do with myself. So I laid down in the snow and ate it.

I just love snow... I wonder how long it will last this time?

Buddy