Puppy socialization

Well, it's been a couple of sleeps since I've been over at this new place... an area called "Cambie" or something. It has been home to other Berners apparently, and there are lots of smells here that indicate that this is a doggy-friendly zone. We've been doing lots of hanging around in the backyard here, and I've had these humans around pretty much every minute.

If we are not playing, I follow these humans around like a shadow, and sometimes lay on top of them (when I can). They have this nice green (dark shade of grey to me) grass to lay on, and I have done a few "crazy puppy" laps around the yard when the urge hits me.

But for the most part, it's lots of lying around and sleeping for me. This is a spot I like - on the cool tile patio, underneath Richie's hammock. He seems to spend a lot of time there... hmmm.

Then these other two doggies showed up... apparently they are from similar mountain regions to me, as they are big mountain dogs too. I was scared by them at first, as they are really big. But after a short while, I realized that I too, am a big dog, and started to play with them. In fact, I would say that I got the upper paw on Barney during our wrestling matches, as he would roll onto his back as I grabbed his ears and neck fur. It was really fun having these two doggies here, but I got a bit too excited, and Richie gave me his "I'm the big dog" treatment, where he pins me down until I calmed down. I wonder where he learned that.

Buddy

Hi. My name is Buddy.

I am just over a year old. I have had a bit of a tough start in life, and so I'm looking for a new place to call home. I just met these two humans the other day, and then they came back today, put me in their Rover, and took me for a ride to their place.

There is a lot of space to explore here; unfortunately for me, there are these new things that I have to climb up and down to get everywhere. Apparently they are called "stairs". I was able to get up the ones inside earlier, but don't like going down them. Outside, they are scary too, as I can see right through them! But after some encouragement by these new humans, I made it down ok.


These new humans, named Christine and Richie, have been spending their time with me outside all day. I don't know how long I will be here, but I am sure having fun!


Buddy

Epilogue

Mischa asked me to write a few words for her after she went on to see Paisley, over the rainbow, as they say.

It's been tough for Richie and Christine for a little while, and especially over the last week or so, as we've all known that Mischa wasn't well. I could smell it, and they could tell by her behaviour and lack of appetite that things were amiss. But Mischa was a stubborn character - even with her bad leg, she'd try to run around the backyard and even tried to take a nip out of the mailman yesterday!

I've known Mischa for quite some time now - they tell me it is over three years! In that time, we've gone from strangers to best friends, and she (along with Richie and Christine) made me feel like this is my second home. I know I can be a bit of a pawful sometimes, but Mischa was very tolerant of me, even when I was scooping up crumbs that would fall out of her food bowl. That's just the kind of bear that Mischa was - easy to get along with, and everyone loved her. We couldn't go two blocks without someone stopping to pet us, and Mischa would promptly lean against them, or sit on their feet.

Mischa was a very gentle soul, and even when I tried roughhousing with her, she'd let me play a little, but when it got to be too much for her, she'd go and hide behind Christine. When we'd go to the beach, Mischa would go in and swim, tempting me to give it a try, but I would never go full in. But we spent many afternoons digging in the soft, wet beach sand (as well as Christine's garden and Richie's lawn) and Mischa was always there egging me on. She taught me how to bark at the strange people collecting cans in the back alley, and showed me all the best lawns for wriggling around on back.

I already miss her, and I can tell that Christine and Richie do as well. It's been almost nine years since Mischa brightened their lives, and by most accounts, gave them almost two more years than you can really expect from us Berners. Her ability to bring a smile to your face, make you laugh out loud, or simply warm your feet by the fireplace, will not soon be replaced.

I'm staying on here a little longer, as my humans prepare for the next chapter in my family's life - a move to Montreal! I don't know what that means yet, but I hear they all speak French there. In the meantime, I'm happy to hang out here, and help Richie and Christine through this transition period.

We love you Mischa.

Toba

Mischa: January 13, 2007 - November 30, 2015

What a day!

Each day seems to get a little harder for me - I haven't eaten much at all, and aside from a few nibbles of treats here and there, and some ice chips, I'm down to almost eating nothing at all. So Richie decided it was time for some waffles and bacon for breakfast... 

It didn't work, as I wasn't interested in either the waffles or bacon, much to Toba's delight, as she wolfed down anything that I was offered, and snubbed my nose at. But after they had breakfast, we went out into the cold morning air for our walk.

There's something about this brisk winter air that I like, and we slowly walked around our block, sniffing every few steps, and rolling around on the frosty grass at every opportunity. Toba was keeping a keen eye out for squirrels, but I don't find that interesting anymore.

Later this morning, we went out onto the front lawn to watch the humans pass by. With my new puffy vest, I can spend over an hour (or so they tell me) in the cold without too much trouble. Then our friend Charlie Brown and her humans came by, and we all had a cookie!

We went back in the house to warm up for a little bit, and then we all got into the car and went to the place where Paisley had her last supper. Richie and Christine had the "Legendary combo", but I still wasn't interested. Toba, of course, had her fill of hamburger and fries.

After they finished lunch, we continued on to the dog park at Spanish Banks. It was way too cold to go swimming of course, but a week's worth of frost had accumulated on the grass there - it was almost like snow! I even played a little "keep away" - well as much as I could with my bad leg. We didn't stay too long, as we were all getting a little cold (except Toba), so we went home.

We all hung out in the sunny living room, and Toba decided to snuggle with Christine on the daybed. Richie then made us all turkey dinner - apparently it is US Thanksgiving weekend, but they said this is also my Christmas dinner. I didn't eat any of it, but I licked a little gravy up and then drank some water, which made them really happy. Anyhow, I think I'm off to see Paisley soon - I've been giving Richie and Christine all the hints that I'm ready to move on. Thanks for a great day Toba, Christine and Richie.

Mischa

My new puffy vest

I've been spending a lot of time outside lately, as my leg is still bugging me, and it feels good to be outside in the cool air. But apparently it's so cold these days, it makes me shiver! So the other evening, Richie and Christine came home with this thing:

It's a little snug, but when I wear it, I don't get the shivers when I spend an hour or so outside. Sure it looks a little macho with the camo look, but it serves it's purpose!

Here we are, sitting in the sun today, watching Richie and Christine put up those things called "Christmas lights". Does this mean I am getting some turkey soon?

Despite not having much of an appetite, I am getting lots of ice chippies to munch on. Funny how Toba didn't used to like them up until just recently. Here we are sharing some cool treats on the lawn.

Mischa

Something isn't feeling right...

Sorry for the delay posting, but Christine and Richie went away for a long time, and left his niece, Sarah, in charge of Toba and me. During that time, I have found that I've been feeling strange, and not up to eating all of my food, not even the special dinners that Richie has been making for me.

So apparently I have lost something like 10 lbs., whatever that means. But now I am getting all sorts of new things to try eating, like the four different kinds of cookies that Richie got for me the other day. I had quite a few, and liked the chicken ones...

But the cheese ones, not so much. The liver ones weren't bad either, but I still left lots of crumbs on the floor.

Not to worry however, as Toba is only too happy to clean up after me! Anyhow, I'm really happy that Christine and Richie are home again, even though I am not feeling very good.

Mischa