The Last of the Snow

A few weekends ago, we had one last romp in the snow with the furkids. We had a fun family outing.



Can you believe how big Sabrina is now? At 10 months she is as tall as Riley!



Riley has recently developed an intense interest in tennis balls. Particularly Sabrina's. In fact, since he's developed this new hobby, I've decided to carry an extra tennis ball for him so he has something to chase and carry and feels he's part of the ball game. But he now carries his ball and tries to steal Sabrina's as well. Which means, he's acquired a new skill of carrying two tennis balls in his mouth. I haven't gotten a good picture of him yet, but I'm on it. In fact, he's so focused on finding the ball he can track down a ball faster than Sabrina now! Do we see tracking in his future?







One of Sabrina's favorite games....stalking Riley.







And one final note...Riley is now 5 months post TPLO surgery and is better than ever. With his new little sister to keep him going, he is the leanest and more agile he's ever been. He has returned to 100% of his daily leisurely life and then some. I may bring him back in to do agility again this year. I don't think hiking short, easy terrain is out of the question either. This mountain dog will be back on a mountain in no time!

Homework

Sabrina went to her first obedience class yesterday: Graduate Puppy. It's for puppies over 6 months old. There are some really sweet dogs in her class: a mild mannered Golden-doodle, a very excitable yellow lab, a sweet little Lhasa Apso, a talkative pound puppy, and a 7 month old Berner girl from "a farm in Germany." I can now bet on 9 out of 10 Berners I meet within a 20 mile radius are from that "farm in Germany." If that doesn't send a big red flag to potential puppy owners, I don't know what will. Somebody is really cranking out puppies from that farm!
This is the first graduate puppy course I have ever attended and I am so glad we signed up. It is very different from Puppy Kindergarten. We immediately worked on how to teach our dogs to behave on a leash, from greeting other dogs on leash, to socializing briefly on leash, and then walking away at a heel. I learned about reading dog behavior/language as well as good dog owner etiquette. I wish every dog owner would go to an obedience course!
Sabrina was so excited throughout the class. Her paws were sweating the entire time and I could tell that she wearing herself out way before the class ended. When we finally made it back in the car and was heading home, Sabrina was passed out in the back. She slept the rest of the afternoon too. It was a lot of excitement for one puppy, especially alone without her big brother to show her the ropes!
This week, we have homework. We need to work on the 'heel' command. Sabrina has spent about 2 seconds of her life on a short 4 foot leash. Although she did quite well yesterday in class, I know we have a lot more work to do. I remember spending hours of time with Riley teaching him to heel, especially in the city, walking through crowds on Newbury Street, maneuvering sharp corners, and narrow walkways. I need to do a lot more of that with Sabrina. Unfortunately, I really don't know when I'm going to plan all of this training. I'm being very lazy today and can barely get the dogs out for a walk. I wish Riley could train her!

It Really Hits Home

This poor Bernerbaby died. What an injustice.

Nikki the Berner Puppy Dies

And the Truth Shall Set You Free

So I didn't say much about the pet food recall a few days ago, due primarily to a lack of information. I held my tongue, I kept to the facts.
But NOW I cannot resist making my comments. The pet food industry has just been caught, unfortunately at the expense of our dear animals, using cheap fillers in their pet food. They should ALL feel ashamed of themselves. They keep trying to find cheaper and cheaper ways to make a buck, at the expense of our babies. In a way, I point my finger at pet owners as well. They are ultimately the primary caretakers (aka parents) of their pets. An analogy would be the parent who sues a fast food chain for causing their child's life-threatening obesity or high blood pressure. Our pets are soley dependent upon us to provide them the best possible care for them. We are the ones who should be responsible consumers. We should be caring about what our babies are eating. We should be reading labels and making their nutrition a priority. Wouldn't you do that for your human child? Why not for the living being that thinks (and always will thing) you are the best person in the whole wide world? Why not for your babies that will love and adore you to their last breath. Isn't this the least you can do for them?
Don't feed them this garbage!

What's in Pet Food?

Ok...and now I'm off my soapbox.

How Should a Parent Be Missed?

I forgot to mention the reunion with my furbabies upon return from our vacation. I met up with Auntie Dory at the dog park as she had to walk Agave and my two needed their walk too. I arrived before they did, anxious and impatient of course. I sat in the car, waiting, and watched as she pulled her car in the parking lot, let the dogs out and began to walk into the field. Sabrina was glued to her Auntie's side, waiting for her to chuck the tennis ball for her. Riley was happily doing his sniffing rounds along the perimeter of the grass.
I got out of my car and belted out a soft, "Sa-Briiiiiiiiiiiina"
Nothing.
I see Riley about 20 feet away from me. He stops in his tracks, ears cocked forward, mouth closed, serious concentration. He is looking straight at me but does not seem to recognize me yet. Almost as if he is in disbelief and needs confirmation that it is truely whom he thinks it is.
I call out again, "Sa-Briiiiiiiiiiina"
Riley lounges off his feet into a full tilt sprint towards me. (I actually start to back up a bit cuz I'm not sure how hard the impact is going to be). He is chortling the wonderful Berner sound. The sound of pure excitement, happiness, and delight. He jumps and squiggles and chortles for a good 5 minutes with me. Several people have stopped to watch this exuberant reunion. I am so very happy to see my smiling boy.
Sabrina on the other hand. Has not noticed me at all. She continues to run after the ball. I call to her a few more times, she runs by me a few more times, and then suddenly she shoots up like a rocket and lands a sloppy, muddy kiss on my mouth before she's off and running again. She doesn't skip a beat.
Both dogs happily jumped into my car when it was time to go. Sweet little Agave was a little confused which car she was supposed to go in though. Maybe she thought it was her turn to come to our house for a sleep over!

Major Pet Food Recall

In case you haven't already heard:

60 million containers of pet food recalled
Eukanuba, Iams and store brands tied to kidney failure, deaths

Updated: 5:03 a.m. ET March 17, 2007
WASHINGTON - A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.

"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.

Check here for recalled brands:
Recall

A Smile a Day

Everyday, Riley makes me smile.
I know I've read time and time again how people who own dogs tend to be in better health. Dog owners have better blood pressure and tend to exercise more regularly.
Riley doesn't ahve to do anything in particular. He doesn't have to get me anything or say thing to me. It isn't anything I have to go out of my way to do. I don't ever have to ask him to make me feel better. It just happens.
Everyday.
I don't have to think about it. Him just being him makes me smile. This sounds so terribly cliche, but I feel so lucky to have a Bernerbuddy. He looks at you and those soulful eyes melt your heart; his mouth eases into a happy grin;and you know his heart beats with genuine loyalty.
Research says that smiling releases endorphins. I wonder if that's why dogs are always so happy. They are always smiling and therefore always releasing endorphins which probably makes them smile more.
I am thankful to be able to smile everyday. No matter what kind of day I have.
Thank you Bernerbuddy. You're my sweet boy.

Riley is a Good Boy, Sabrina Strikes Again

Riley and Sabrina went to stay with their Auntie for 7 days.
Oye.
I called her a couple of times to see how things were going.
I didn't hear back.
Double Oye.
Hey, it's not like I didn't warn her. In fact, I had doggie villa reservations all ready for them just in case.
AND I was very honest with Sabrina's mischevious nature.

"She will chew things."
"She's destroyed our remote control."
"She likes CD and DVDs."
"She'll get into the garbage."
"She counter-surfs when you're not around."
"She doesn't sleep all day while you're gone."

All these comments were rebutted by,
"Oh my place is pretty puppy proofed anyways."
"I don't really have anything that can be destroyed."
"I think it will be fine."
"OF COURSE I want to have Riley and Sabrina!"

Okee-dokee. I even offered to come over to her place to do a quick Sabrina-proof for her. She didn't think it was necessary.

Sooooooo, you wonder what Sabrina did?

She chewed the remote control.
She ate two entire containers of dog treats left on the kitchen table.
She ate a bag full of six, 6 inch bully sticks I got for all three dogs (left on the kitchen table)
And she destroyed one of her teddy bears.

The GOOD thing is, Auntie has figured out that Sabrina can be crated. Yahoo! There's still hope for her.

And throughout the entire week, Riley remained in the bedroom, WAY out of mischief. Although I'm sure he snuck out to help Sabrina out with all the bully sticks. He knows how to keep a low profile. He's my good Bernerboy!

Going to Auntie's House!!!

Riley and Sabrina don't know this yet, but they will be staying with Auntie Dory and Agave soon. I already had reservations made for them at the wonderful kennel, Best Friends, thinking no one would possible want to take both of my dogs. One dog is easy to take care of. But two? And one of them being a 9 month old puppy? Especially since miss Sabrina is not very trustworthy. But Auntie Dory was more than thrilled to have them both even after I warned her that Sabrina is a mischevious little girl! Even after I warned her that she likes remote controls and sometimes CDs. Even after I told her she will get into the trash. She thinks Agave, who is a single child, will love having "cousins" around for a couple of days.
I am so happy my babies will be staying with someone they know that loves them. And how much fun would it be? I am eternally grateful to my dear friend.

Dem Bones Dem Bones

Here are the beautiful beef marrow bones from Hare-Today. Look at all that lovely meat surrounding the bone. Now that's a meal!
I gave these to Riley and Sabrina an hour and a half ago and they are still going at them. That's what I love about feeding a raw diet. I love watching my dogs get the psychological benefits of a satisfying meal. There is no doubt that they are not only getting nutrition, but great psychological stimulation, as well as a great workout for their jaws and teeth. Oh! Clean teeth!

Sabrina's Coming of Age

Last week I signed Sabrina up for the Puppy Class she was supposed to attend 3 months ago. It's Graduate Puppy and at 9 months, she is still a good age to go. I've hardly spent any time training Sabrina. She grew up as a free and active little girl. Luckily, she is a smart cookie and has learned at least a few commands. She sits for her meals, she will sit to have the leash put on, she knows to wait in the car and not jump out after the door's been open, she will lay down (if lured with a treat), and she knows off/leave it. Walking on a loose lead will definitely be our hardest task. But maybe, just maybe, if I train her with her stuffed toys, it will be motivating enough. She absolutely loves toys and I am thinking of bringing a small armory of toys with me to class the first day. We don't start until the 24th so we have some time to start practicing before we embarass ourselves in class!

Today at the park we met up with my neighbor who has a 1 1/2 year old. As they walked, I tossed the ball for Sabrina. She discovered that if she dropped the ball at the toddler's feet, he would kick the ball for her to chase! It was a very cute interaction. It's times like this that makes me realize how endearing Sabrina is. She has a sweetness that is very unique. Plus she seems so at ease with children. Maybe I'll make a therapy dog out of her yet!

Back to the Daily Grind

One week off from work and I'm having a hard time getting back into it. I felt anxious already about my week off since it was going to end with my dance troupe performing on the streets of Boston Chinatown all day long (and I really mean all day, we went from 9:30am-5:30pm) on Sunday. I felt like all the rest and relaxation I was doing all week was going to be undone by this one day. Several of my teammates told me they were all taking Monday off.

"Oh, I take Monday off every year."

"I'm taking tomorrow off too."

Hmm....I thought. I would feel so guilty, taking a whole week off and then the first Monday off too. In my mind, I decided I could go to work.

So come Monday morning, and I am up at 5:15am. Back to the daily grind. I get up, I shower, I feed the zoo, I grab a hot beverage (usually black tea with honey), load Fric and Frac into the car and we're usually at the park by 6:15, just when it's starting to get light out. As I walked with the usual AM crowd, I felt the energy slowy zap out of me. I felt the ache in my neck, shoulders and back. My feet were sore and a bit numb from hours of pounding on the pavement the day before. And my nead began to throb.

Dehydration probably. Nevertheless, I could not let my coworkers think I was taking an extra long vacation so onward to work I went. By the time I got there, I realized what a bad decision I had made. It's one thing to go to work, sit at a desk, and do paperwork. But it's another whole ballgame to sit in a kindergarten sized chair at a kindergarten sized table and play with children, every half hour changing gears to a different child. Children that have been home for an entire week doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Children who need a LOT of patience.

Uh uh. Time to go home. And luckily, my afternoon private client called to cancel as well. I was relieved. I just wasn't ready to face the daily grind. I happily stayed home, off my feet, and even got caught up with some paperwork.

The rest of the week was rough. Even though it ended up being a short work week for me, Tuesday through Friday, it felt so long and it just dragged. Days were long and I missed my babies. I've been home with them everyday for the past 10 days. *sigh* What would it take to convince you all that Riley and Sabrina really need a stay-at-home mom?