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