So this is summer...

I know, I have experienced a summer season before. But I was so young, and everything was new when I was a little puppy, so I don't remember too much about it. Also, we didn't spend nearly this much time outdoors as I do at this place. But rather than simply hang out in the shade during this hot weather, we went down to the beach again this morning.

There was a nice, cool breeze and the water was very refreshing. I like running up and down the beach, sometimes in the water, other times along the sand. I went in to fetch a stick a few times, and I also really like it when one of those cars goes by in the water and makes waves for me to splash through. There was a doggie digging like a crazy puppy in the sand; when I went over to check it out, she lunged at me and bared her teeth. I got out of there quickly!

 

I also ran around the base of the pier, as another doggy was digging over there. When I went over to check it out, I found that I couldn't get back. So Richie came over and showed me the lowest spot for me to jump over and get back. Whew!

Anyhow, back at the house, there were are all these trucks and stuff set up on the street. Apparently, this is what happens when they are making those moving pictures that I see Christine and Richie watching on that strange window in the house. There were humans there that wanted to meet me, so we went over to socialize with them; I was very well behaved, and did not bark at or try to get away from them. I also noticed they had a bunch of food set up on a table there... mmm... food.

And then this doggie came along to say hi as well. Apparently this is a "Puli", which is a dog that herds sheep in Hungary. Richie thought he looks more like he belongs in Jamaica, but I didn't get that joke.

Buddy

Meet the Mountain

On this afternoon's walk, we came across another big Berner called appropriately, "Mountain". I was on my best behaviour meeting him, and we did the traditional circling trying to... ermm, get to know each other. He was a big fella like me, but was very easy going and gentle; even though he is only two years old, he behaves like an adult. Is that what I will be like?

Apparently, he's afraid of getting into cars, so he walks everywhere! He was on his way from Main to Oak Street - I have no idea how far that is, but it seems really far to me. Just the other day, after we had walked only a few blocks, I put on the brakes, and refused to let Richie take me any further. I was happy to go back the way we came however... just one of those quirky things we Berners occasionally do.

Buddy

A walk in the park

This morning, rather than going for the walk around the neighbourhood, we got into the Rover and drove for a little while. We ended up at a new place called the UBC Endowment Lands. I got to go off leash for our entire walk! I was really well behaved on our walk; I would stop to take in some of the magnificent smells, and then run to catch up to Christine and Richie. After a while, this ended up being too much work, so I decided I should run ahead of them and wait for them to catch up to me.

Here I am playing a little hide-and-seek with them. We saw a lot of other humans and doggies to meet there - I was very tired after a lot of running, so didn't spend much time trying to play with the other puppies we would meet.

Now I'm really tired, and have taken up my favourite napping spot between the counter and the barstools.

Buddy

We went swimming!

Ok, when I say 'we', I really mean just me. And what I mean by swimming, is really more like deep wading. So we got into the Rover for another car ride, and we ended up at place by a river.

There was a bunch of other humans there with their doggies, and I went over for a quick sniff and greet. But then I went down for a cool dip in the river. The beach here slopes quickly, so before long, I'd be past belly-deep in the water.

This was the first time Richie and Christine let me off leash, and they let me run back and forth along the beach. I did that a few times, and then would get tired and lie down in the sand. But it was really fun going down there and splashing around for awhile.

Buddy

The big ball

I have been having fun hanging out in the backyard, and when I need a bit of play time, I can find that funny egg thing to roll around. But then the other day, these humans brought out a new ball for me to play with - what fun!



Buddy

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