Bobby's New Sibs

Bobby is Johann's new name with his new family. Apparently there is a story behind his renaming but we will have to wait for the full rescue story to be published in our Bernerblatt newsletter to know why.
Here is Bobby with his new sibs: Brewster is the Westie and Ivy is the Bernergirl. My guess is that Ivy is the lovely girl on the right and Bobby is hanging out in the back. Can't wait to read about the full story!

Homeward Bound!

Our prayers were answered! The rescue mission was a success. After days of patience and perseverance, Johann (the lost Berner) came to trust our devoted club member and her Bernergirl.
The amazing twist to this story is that due to Johann's flight-risk, it was advised for him not to be returned to his adoption home. Instead, it was advised for him to be rehomed with a family that has other dogs (hopefully Berners!) that are social and well adjusted as well as with people that he trusts so that he may begin his healing process. And whom better than the wonderful woman who spent days out on a farm gaining his trust? And without even batting an eyelash, she agreed to be his new loving mum.
What an amazing rescue and adoption story. Good luck Bernerboy. We hope to meet you someday soon.

Hear Our Prayers Tonight

It's 31 degrees outside and the forecast predicts snow and rain.

One devoted person and her beloved Berner girl will be out all night on a rescue mission. This amazing person is a member of our Nashoba Valley Club. The mission is to coax an extremely frightened and scared male Berner whom has been lost since Monday! The poor guy was just adopted a mere 10 days ago by a family here so he doesn't even know the area. Our club members have been out everyday in the rain and snow looking for any sign of the boy. A few days ago, fresh tracks were found and finally, several sightings of him.

So tonight, a Berner girl and her owner will be camping out in a barn in hopes that this scared boy will go in to find comfort and end his ordeal. Please keep you fingers/paws crossed and send a prayer that this ordeal ends tonight.

I Miss My Dogs!

I have been on maternity leave for 43 days now. 43 days at home. This may be the longest time I've even stayed home and not had to go to school or work. Oh, I forgot, parenting IS work...day after day after day of work. Alas, I digress from the topic of this post.
I have been home 43 days now and for the first time there is someone home all the time with the dogs. My Bernerboy, Riley, whom used to follow my every step around the house has resigned to nap all day in the bedroom only to be replaced by my sweet little Sabrina. She is sleeping at my feet in the nursery right now. I try to take the dogs out everyday for a walk at the park. It is good for me to get out and Miss Precious seems to nap well in the fresh air. Despite spending more time with my dogs than I ever have before, I miss them! My hands are always busy. Busy holding nursing baby, busy holding sleeping baby, busy bouncing baby, busy changing baby. And if my hands aren't full, then they are busy shoving food into my mouth because I'm starving!!!

Little by little however, Miss Precious has allowed me to set her down in a bouncy seat so that I may straighten my back, crack my shoulders, and flex my wrists to release them from their constant baby-holding positions. And during those few moments, I have realized how much my hands have missed rubbing, patting, and scratching my furry babies. I bury my face into their soft fur and give them a big bear hug. I feel every little atom in their body sizzling with excitement that they are finally getting some attention from their Mommy! So unconditional. So unjudgmental. So willing to love me back despite 43 days of neglect. There is no resentment. Just pure joy to enjoy just a few seconds of love. How I miss my dogs!

Meeting Mr. Coyote on the Hill

Having actually gotten a decent night of sleep (added total of 6 hours), I felt ambitious enough today to take the dogs to explore a new place. Miss Precious' cooperative disposition in the car made the decision to go and not head home so much easier too. (I am hoping that she is finally loving her car rides and willing to leave the long opera performances that shake my nerves to the past.)

Following a suggestion from one of the moms in my new mother's group, I drove up to Prospect Hill. I have heard of this park and the Dogfather and I had actually hiked through it once when we had first moved here. Although there are a lot of trails there and it is closer to our house, it's really more of a picnic park so it hasn't been an ideal place to let my hounds off leash. It is also situated within a shady neighborhood so that's another reason it's less desirable to visit. Today was only 30-something degrees. No one was gonna be out there. Or so I thought. We stayed on the main road up past the picnic areas and walked out to the ledge where you can get a nice view of the city. On our way back down, I saw him. A lone gray coyote right on the path. I was the first to spot him and I saw him before he saw me. I immediately recalled the dogs and they happily returned to my side before they caught a whiff of him. He turned around and quietly disappeared into the woods. Then Sabrina caught wind of him, followed by Riley. But he was long gone by then. Seeing him brought a smile to my face. It was like an added bonus treat for making it out of the house today. It made me feel so good I even prepared a yummy dinner in time for the Dogfather's arrival home. A good day indeed!

It's 4am and I've been up...

I've been up for several hours with Miss Precious here. Seems I'm not meant to sleep tonight. Furkids were so much easier...

Didya know?

Brookline Booksmith on 279 Harvard St., Brookline is dog friendly?!

This Coolidge Corner staple is a favorite of locals looking for quality used books at a good price. The staff here is happy to have dogs in the store and is known to keep a bagful of treats behind the register. You might also find a bowl of water by the door on warm days.

Who knew they were so cool?

Winter Safety for City Dogs

DOG OWNERS: TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE FROM STRAY VOLTAGE
With the beginning of winter and the cold, damp weather it brings, the ASPCA is reminding pet parents about the danger of stray voltage—a unique phenomenon that occurs when dormant utilities leak excess electricity. When combined with wet streets caused by snow or rain, this current can shock, injure or even kill those in its path.

The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you avoid potentially hazardous areas, and advice on what to do if your pet has suffered from electric shock:

a.. Steer your dog away from metal fixtures, such as lampposts, grates or manhole covers that may potentially conduct electricity. If your dog avoids certain areas, that could also be an indicator of the area’s safety.
b.. Invest in rubber-soled dog boots, which may also offer protection from other hazards.
c.. Watch your dog’s behavior. If she appears skittish, frightened, angry or upset without warning, this could be an indication of electric shock.
d.. If your dog is unable to move due to shock, do not attempt to move her without protective gear. Use a non-conductive material such as wood or plastic, and take care to cover your own hands and skin. Remember, the electric shock may injure you as well.
e.. If you come across an area made dangerous by stray voltage, it’s best to call the City’s service.
Visit ASPCA.org for additional cold weather safety tips.

Welcoming 2008

I actually got out of the house today- with Miss Precious, Riley, and Sabrina all in the car. It is clear to me now that I need a bigger car for all of us! We took a nice brisk walk at the park so that I could feel like a person again and Riley could enjoy the last snow of 2007. It has been a record month in Massachusetts for snow!
The amazing thing is, today was Miss Precious' original due date. And here I am out with a 6 week old infant at the park!

Adjusting to Life with Miss Precious

I made it back before an entire month has passed. Miss Precious is 1 month old and everyone is adjusting well. A few quick updates:

I have learned to be a pretty good one-handed typist.

Riley and Sabrina came home two weeks after Miss Precious was born and just four days after she came home from the hospital. Thanks to Aunt Dory!

Riley and Sabrina have adjusted quite well to the new addition to the pack.

Riley has a new nickname: The General. He feels the need to guard and protect the new little one. If she cries, he comes running. If she cries continuously, he parks himself down in a sit stay and stays guard until she stops. And then he insists on doing his personal body check on her. From head to toe. No kidding!

Sabrina has realized that our usual walking routines have been switched. She now follows the Dogfather around the house, waiting for him to take her to the park. Didn't take long.

Besides disrupting her daily walking routine, Sabrina doesn't seem to have noticed any other change in the household. She will, however, come over to lick Miss Precious on the head gingerly or snuggle up to her in our Big Bed.

The Big Bed has gotten Very Full. Every night, it holds the Dogfather, myself, Miss Precious, Sabrina, and Mei Mei. Luckily our other two furchildren haven't felt the need to join us in bed too. And luckily we have a generously sized king bed.

I have been able to escape from the house twice so far to take my beloved fur children to the park to romp in the snow. What a treat! I hope to get out sometime today too.

I cannot wait to bring Miss Precious out to hike with the dogs.

Miss Precious calls...must go!