Find-the-Berner

dinnertime edition. The twinkie is a HUGE fan of corn on the cob.

Memorial walk

We had been planning this for a while- today we finally went on a little pilgrimage to visit all of Kodo's favorite walking spots and leave tiny sprinkles of his ashes in the places where it was OK to do so.
We spent most of the time in his park.  This was the main place we had walked him since his first month home as a baby, and it feels like every turn of the path has memories attached. He had a favorite rock right by the parking lot that he always had to visit before we started out.  He would spend as much as 5 minutes sniffing the edges of it to see who had been new there since last time.

 

He loved wading ankle-deep along the river edges, sniffing on the banks, and trying to sneak drinks of the muddy water when I wasn't paying close enough attention.

 

And in later years, he had developed a fondness for a little overlook point off the bridle trail.  This was about the limit of his range- about a half mile from the head of the trail- and we frequently sat there and rested with him until he was ready to turn around and walk back.  There is a nice little bench, and it is high enough above the river that there is lovely cool breeze to lighten the air and bring all sorts of scents wafting up.  Swallows nest in the riverbanks under your feet, so you can watch them swooping and diving along the river and occasionally perching in the branches of the surrounding trees.

It was a beautiful day for a walk, and we spent the time reminiscing, talking, laughing, and crying.  And we saw a pileated woodpecker along the trail again, so we think Kodo's spirit was out there with us joining in the fun and enjoying his park yet again.

 

Dog Hike

It was a beautiful day, so we took the babies for a hike in the Metroparks.  Dozer was crazy-energy, pulling badly and ended up ramming me into the nature center door hard enough to really mess up my hand because he got excited at the thought of the biscuits they give out at the counter.

Deceptive good-boy pose:

Then we took them to Starbucks for pupaccinos.  Brian taught Dozer to play flip-cup with the cups when they were done eating.

Now both are worn out, so at least there is that!

BFW Walk 2018!

The Bernese Friends Worldwide Facebook group and its founder organized a bunch of years ago to create this one day a year for people to get together with all the other Berner folks in their area to walk with their dogs and share the love of our awesome breed.  This event has grown every year- some cities have over 100 dogs in their meetups. We aren't likely to hit those numbers anytime soon, but walking in a bunch with 18 Berners and their people is a really amazing feeling- a river of gently foofing tricolor tails and a sea of tricolor smiles. Great folks, great time.  And we managed to just barely get packed up and headed out before the downpour started! #BuildingFriendshipsWorldwide #ClevelandRocks #BFWWalk2018

 

 

 

 

 

Backyard photoshoots

And my handsome baby boy, who has FINALLY started filling out a tiny bit. And just little bit more big-dog fur. At least he’s edging a little closer to looking like a real Berner for a change. Only took him 19 months!

Sunning evening

Even the teeny 60-pound midgeling can look like a proper substantial dog if you get the right angles! Post-work sunning in the grass.

Early freaking morning

Was awakened at 6:30 in the morning of my day off by the chirping of two little Berner-birds. Then the larger of the two was so happy to see me that he jumped up on me and planted one of his fat paws in my eye. I am not sure there is enough coffee in the world. And now, of course, they both look like this:

You would think after all the excercise yesterday that they would sleep in a TEENY bit?  This is fairly new too- just within the last couple weeks.  They used to let me sleep in till 8 or 9 no problem. Spring sun and all the birdsong outside perhaps?

Post park hike

Think we managed to tire them out today! Couple miles hike in the park in nearly 80-degree weather, and now we are eating dinner on the patio and even the perpetual-motion-puppy-machine is still!

Park Hike!

Gorgeous day today- high 70s and sunny with just a bit of breeze.  Off to the Metroparks we go!

We figure if we keep weighing Dozer down enough, he may slow down a bit?  Or at least he can carry his own water when it gets hot!

About 2 miles, and we now have slugs!  I think this may be the first time Dozer has ever lain down in the middle of the park.  Maybe he is getting old?  :D