Meet Linden!

Ok, we've met this guy before - we often see him on our morning walk to Starbucks, and recently we actually went over to his house for the evening. But the other day, Linden's human came by with him and when he left, Linden stayed behind! 

As with all doggies that come to stay with us, Linden was a little out of sorts for the first day - not sure what he's doing here, who these humans are, and what he's allowed to do. But it's been a couple of days now, and he's really settling in. He's staked out his spot on the bed, figured out where food drops from the counter in the kitchen, and the best places to take a nap.

Yesterday, we went to the University Endowment Lands with Charlie. We had a great time running around in the woods, and we discovered that Linden actually likes to lay down in the muddy puddles! Yucky - you won't catch me lying down in there.

It's getting warmer again now - we sat outside on the front lawn for a while, even though Christine needed to wear a jacket. Of course, Linden and I don't need anything to keep us warm. Today, it's raining hard, so we're spending the day inside, lazying about the house. Hopefully we'll be outside enjoying the sun again soon.

Mischa

Another visit from Toba

Toba came by for another brief stay with us last week. There wasn't an serious antics to report - like huge new holes dug in the yard, although she did do some excavating in Christine's garden. It's a good thing it's not spring yet!

We've been running into lots of other Berners lately. A little while ago, we were up at Queen Elizabeth dog park, and ran into Gabby and Patsy Cline:

Then just last week, we ran into another one called Jada - it's really fun when we all get together!

 And then there's a new boy that moved in across the street called MacKenzie - Richie hasn't managed to get a photo of him yet, but I'm sure he will soon.

Mischa

Keep away at the park

It's been really cold here lately - which I like of course. Christine and Richie don't seem to care for it however, as they seem to want to stay inside the house, whereas I can sit for hours out on the deck, watching the goings on in the back alley, and keeping watch over the threshold.

A side benefit of this cold weather, is that the dog park where we go in the afternoon isn't all yucky and muddy. It actually snowed a tiny bit the other day, and when we went up there, it was all frozen solid. There weren't any other doggies up there to play with (not that I do much playing anyways), so Richie started to chase me around.


Silly Richie - he can't catch me.

Mischa

Tandem happy dance!

Here's a really brief clip of Toba and I greeting Richie and Christine when they left us behind one day...


Watch carefully and you'll see I actually get both of my back paws off the ground - more points for style. What fun!

Mischa

Christmas 2012

Every year, when the sun goes away early and the rainy season starts, there's this thing that comes around called Christmas. I don't really know what Christmas means, aside from all of the yummy food that is always around the house (more on that later). But one of the traditions that the young humans do, is go visit this guy - Santa Claws - and they ask him for presents. I asked him to bring us snow.

This year, Toba showed up to spend the Christmas holidays with us! She's been over here a couple of times before, and so she settled in here pretty quickly. On her first day here, Santa gave me my present early, because it snowed! We Bernese Mountain dogs love snow, and so Richie took us up to the big dog park where we ran and ran and ran! Both of us frolicked in the deep snow (over 10 cms, or so I am told), and we played snowball catch with Richie.

Then there's this whole Mayan calendar, end-of-the-world thing. It seems there were these humans that lived a long time ago, that had a calendar that ended on Richie's birthday - Dec. 21, 2012. I don't know - it's just another day to me. Anyhow, Richie and Christine thought they would celebrate the end of the world, so they were making all sorts of food for their party. When Richie went out for a while, I noticed that he had left a big bag of dinner rolls on the counter! I grabbed them, and ran outside with the bag - I shredded the flimsy plastic bag open, and it was a bonanza for Toba and I. Then I went back inside and grabbed the freshly baked banana bread off the table. Nothing better than having a yummy dessert after a meal. Needless to say, Richie was not happy when he got home.

Toba and I have also been spending a lot of time snoozing on the bed. She's discovered that you can watch the people go by up there, and there's also the chance of spotting a squirrel or two.

It does get a little crowded however, especially around bed-time. As you can see, there's very little room left for Richie once both Toba and I have laid claim to our spots.

The best thing about Christmas is that both Richie and Christine are at home the whole time, and we get to spend quality time with them over the holidays.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and we're wishing you a happy New Year!

Mischa

My favourite things

Now that I seem to have free reign of the house pretty much all the time, my favourite place to spend the day is on the bed. Here's why:

1. I can see out to the street without having to get up.
2. It's a nice soft place to lie and catch a nap.
3. The front door is very close, so I can bark at the mailman when she sticks the paper through the door.
4. Sometimes the sun shines through, and I can warm myself without leaving my nap spot.

I like it up on the bed so much that even when Christine is changing the sheets, I can't be bothered to get off. Sure, when there's the three of us up there, and I get a little warm, I'll get off - but it's on my own terms, not theirs!

I am liking this cool weather too. I'll go outside and sit on the deck or patio for hours by myself. Of course, I'm keeping everyone safe from those humans who go by the back alley, and I keep an ear out for other dogs barking in the distance. This is also the time of the year for good squirrel hunting. I almost got one the other day... one went up a tree, and as I went around the back to see what was going on, there was another one clinging to the back of the trunk, mere inches from me! It quickly scurried away, but dog, that was the closest I have ever been to one - well, except that dead one I found in the park one day... it wasn't very fun however.

I hear Christmas is coming... I love Christmas!

Mischa

Dinner at Toba's!

The other evening, we got into the Rover and drove for a while to a place we have never been to. After a while, we stopped at a row of houses, and went up to the door. When we rang the doorbell, I heard Toba barking! Then when the door opened, Toba's humans were standing there too! Toba was so happy to see us - she ran back and forth between the living room and dining room.

Lounging on the floor, using Toba as a headrest. 

The humans ate yummy smelling cheese that they melted onto their food with something called a "raclette". Whatever it was, I wish I could have had some. I did manage to get a chip that fell onto the ground in the kitchen however. What a fun visit!

Mischa