Paisley got a visit and some toys

Yesterday afternoon, Richie's sister Deb and her small human, Sarah, came over to visit us. The brought us new stuffed toys, and since Paisley is sick, I let her have whichever one she wanted.

At first she wanted the blue monkey, and wouldn't put it down - even to pee!

Here she is in one of her favourite spots with the hedgehog - this is at the end of the yard, in the nook of the garden wall - she always likes to lean against something.

And then here she is in the corner of the patio, cooling off on the concrete after sitting in the sun for too long. We had a great day and evening hanging out in the backyard, and then went inside to watch a movie (well, we slept while the humans watched).

Mischa

Go for a swim with Mischa - done

This morning, we went down to a place called McDonald Park - it has a great beach for us dogs to run and play, and the water doesn't have that yucky taste. I went all the way into the water for a swim, but Richie and Christine did not want me to go too far, as the water here "moves", and they did not want to have to come in and get me. Paisley went in too, but didn't get in a full dog-paddle before she came out.

We also ran into two other Berners when we were there. One of them writes a dog blog as well - gabbygabbing.wordpress.com - she is obviously a more talented writer than I am, but what the heck, I am a dog after all. We had a great time, and I went "crazy puppy" - running around after them, digging, and chasing after sticks. Paisley looked like she had a good time too - she just doesn't seem to have the energy she used to however.

Mischa

Frolic on the tidal sandbars - done

Yesterday, Max and his human Marla came in for a visit. We all got in the Rover and went down to the beach. The tide was way out, and we all went out and frolicked on the sand bars and tidal pools!

When we were there, we ran into Daisy and her humans! I saw her immediately, and ran for what seemed like forever to catch her. I then ran all the way back to greet Barb and her party.

Another one off the bucket list.

Mischa

Paisley's bucket list

Paisley has been on a diet again, not eating her kibble, and Richie and Christine have been trying to get her to eat anything. What she doesn't eat, I of course help myself to. She's also been to the vet a number of times, and most recently, came back with a shaved tummy again! Turns out she had something called an "ultrasound" - all I know is now she's getting a bunch more attention and has to swallow a bunch of those little white things called "pills".

Apparently we are working her way through her bucket list - the list of things that she wants to do before she "kicks the bucket", so to speak (we're not able to kick like you humans). Paisley doesn't have the energy (or opposable thumbs) to jot these down, so here's what I think is on her list (not all-inclusive):

• Play "defense" with another dog playing fetch
• Have a nap in the basement with Richie
• Roll around in the freshly cut grass
• Chase real bunny rabbits
• Eat some raw top sirloin steak
• Sit on the front lawn and watch people go by
• Go for a car-ride
• Choose my own treat at Three Dog Bakery
• Drink out of the rainwater bucket
• Stick my nose out the window of the car
• Win a tug-o-war against Mischa (like that is going to happen)
• Frolic on the tidal sandbars 
• Go for a swim with Mischa
• Have a Fudgsicle

More to come, so stay tuned over the next couple of weeks.

Mischa

Editor's Note: Paisley's cancer has returned in her liver. While she's not in a lot of pain, she's certainly not feeling great, which affects her appetite. We've got her on Prednisone, and the vet said, "give her anything she wants". So Paisley has been enjoying a diet of hot dogs, chicken, cheese, and cookie treats.

Spring has sprung!

You can kind of tell that things are different around here. We're no longer going for our daily walks in the pouring rain, Richie and Christine seem happier, and we're spending much more time outdoors!

Here's Paisley out enjoying some spring sunshine with her froggy that we got when we were up in Kamloops. This is one of her favourite spots in the backyard - she always likes to have something to lean on!

There's me the other day while we waited on the front lawn for Christine to come home. That's Fraser running around behind me, and one of the neighbours from down the street with her small human. They wanted to stop and pet me - I was happy to oblige them!

Mischa

Easter in Kamloops

This last weekend, we got into the Rover and went to the place where Christine works. Paisley and I ran around the halls, and greeted everyone we could find! After our brief visit, we got back into the Rover and spent a long time driving to Kamloops!

It was quiet the first night, but the next day, Richie's brother arrived with Sue, Justin and Chelsey! I like to have lots of people around, but I think Paisley prefers it when things are a little bit less hectic. Anyhow, it was still lots of fun, lazing about having "cuddle time".

One day, we went down to a place with a HUGE sand bar, and we ran and ran and ran! It was like the times we had been to the beach in Vancouver and Point Roberts, but this time, the water was drinkable! The sand was really soft and clean, and it felt nice between our pads of our paws.

On our way back home, we stopped high up in the mountains and got out to play in the sun and snow! This was different than being up in Whistler where we had to jump around in the deep powder, as the base of the snow was firm, and so Richie took off running, and we gave chase!

I guess this is the last of the snow till next winter - bring on spring!

Mischa

Whistler again!

We went to the place known as Whistler again this past weekend. This time, we arrived at a new location where we met up with Richie's other brother Daryl, Rita and their little sheltie, Harley. We were in Whistler last summer, but this time, there was lots of snow there! We love snow, and can lie in it for long periods of time. Just outside the back door to our place was a steep hill with lots of snow that Paisley and I would hop around in - it was so deep that we couldn't run around normally - whew - it was tiring! Little Harley isn't tall enough to play in the deep snow with us either.

When we got back inside, Paisley and I loved running up and down the hallway - something that Richie didn't like us doing for some reason. Anyhow, we got so tired that we would sleep when the humans would go into the village to eat. We also went on long walks into the village, and we met lots of people that wanted to pet and hug us!

There was a nice long section of our walk back from the village where there was lots of snow again, and Paisley and I would tromp around, eating snow (not the yellow stuff) and having a grand old time. We tried to play chase, but again the snow was too deep and thick, that it only lasted for a minute until we were pooped out!

We like going to Whistler - it was even that much more fun with lots of snow!

Mischa