Please advise.
Saturday, March 20
I discovered the Berner's weakness for cheese
I can call him up on the deck to eat AND set the bowl right at my feet!
After he eats he gets his cheese
He stayed for some scritches and a quick massage.
Instead of running right off, he sits for a few minutes, on one of Stumpy's cushions, probably hoping for more cheese.
He "talked" to me a little,too. I hear some Marshall Tucker Band lyrics in my head: "If I ever settle down, you'd be my kind. And it's a good time for me to head on down the line."
Sunday, March 21
I didn't see that darned dog all day or evening. Doesn't he know I worry?
Monday, March 22
That durned dog must have snuck in in the middle of the night and ate some kibble. He's either not too hungry or getting fussy because he didn't finish it all.
Tuesday, March 22
The Berner boy showed up within minutes of me having to leave for work; after I already pushed it passed the last minute
He ate all his dinner, had his birthday cake and his cheese and left. THEN HE CAME BACK!!! Fortunately, I had saved a bite of cake and some cheese for Stumpy, so he got those, too. (Sorry, Stumpy!)
He talked to me for a couple seconds while he paced the deck and then headed down the stairs.
He stopped about midway down the driveway, and had a little howl!
I love me a dog that howls. Stumpy is the first dog I have ever had that won't howl with me.
Then he continued on his way. Stopped and looked back one more time, before heading up the road.
Wednesday. March 24, 4:30am
I had already hit the snooze on my alarm several times when the neighbor's dogs started barking. The Berner was out on the deck eating his kibble. I keep his good eats all ready in the fridge, so they are ready when he shows up. He didn't stay long this morning. No time for a scritch. It appeared there was something up the street that required his attention as he stopped eating several times to gaze in that direction. No pictures either. It was too dark and I wasn't quite awake enough to remember the camera.
Thursday, March 25
The sun was up when the Berner arrived this morning.
He was a little flinchy and really didn't wanted to be pet.
I took some pictures from above to show how skinny he is, still.
His coat does a pretty good job of covering the truth. But, he has put on some weight. He is only coming by once a day to eat, these days. The last two days he hasn't even finished his breakfast.
He left the deck to get a drink. I have a big bucket of fresh water on the deck, but he wanted to drink out of the yucky bird 'n' bunny water.
Then he returned for more cheese, but didn't stay long.
Friday, March 26
10am and still no Berner boy, unless he came before I got up. I slept until 6am this morning. If he stopped by he didn't touch his kibble.
Finally! 11pm he shows up, eats his breakfast (it's been in the fridge all day) and then climbs into Stumpy's chair to nap!
Saturday, March 27
5:30am, He's still here! He spent the night!
By 6:30 he was gone. In spite of my keeping a half an eye on him he slipped away without me seeing :( If I had, I would have convinced him to stay a little longer, with some cheese.
noon-thirty: He's back, but I wasn't quick enough to grab the camera or his bowl. I did have some cheese on hand so he got that. He had some thorns in his chin and I stupidly grabbed his collar so I could pull them out. He didn't like that, but always the gentleman he only yipped. I got most of them out but there was one that I just couldn't grab without holding him. He's still being flinchy about pats, too.
I tried to lure him into the house with cheese, but he wasn't going for it.
Is he getting too much cheese? I wonder!
6:30pm: He's back again! Stumpy was out so she let me know. She's not liking the Berner these days. Well, not if there's food out on the deck. If she can't have that food ain't no one going to get it. Fortunately, she is easily distracted by tossing some cheese into the house. He ate his dinner, and I tossed some pieces of chees into the entry way to kind of get him going in that direction. He didn't have any problem with that. He had a roll in the driveway in the driveway before he went on his way.
Three visits in one day! I'm excited!
25 years later, I still Love Marshall Tucker Band!
14 comments:
Maybe it's closer to 30 years... But who's counting?
have you tried following him? wonder where he goes.. we're thinking maybe give him a frozen peanut butter kong or something that would make him stay longer & get more comfortable. 2 paws up & a muwahh to your mommie for watching out for him.
oh stumpy, a triple whammie for ya. especially for sharing cheese.. man, that's tough!
woot woot to your berner update!
toodles, tula
Man, you are doing such an awesome job. I'm really glad he's getting a little bit more comfortable with you. I think Tula's kong idea sounds like something to try. I wonder if he'll know what to do with it?
Cyndi you are doing a great job. We say just keep up what you are doing.. He knows where the good food is and he will begin to come back more often and not worry you..
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
Tula, the kong idea is a good one but i will have to order a Kong. No kong store indirtville, ya know? We have followed him We caqn't keep up with him, well, I can't but I know from talking to neighbors and friends that he's been seen as far as five miles away.
Sam, I think I will try raw soup bones, in the meanttime.
Heelers, thanks. I'm trying, I just wish he would come in the house, without being forced.
I think I'd just continue what you're doing. It seems like he's trusting you more each day. Let the trust build.
I do wonder about the collar. Is he lost or dumped? Could he be microchipped?
Dang, I want him to realize how close a good life is for him. I want to him to be safe and strong and to feel a part of you. Dang him.
Looks like he is happy doing the back roll.
Hope he stays soon :-)
Wizz
K9friend, dirtville is a dumping ground for dogs, it's also got a heavy tourist population that passes through; could be either. I put the collar on him with tags, before he escaped. He had an old ragged collar when first found him. when I can get him in the car we will definately check him for a microchip. I have advertized extensively.
Brenda, I think I might have better luck with that, if i could get him to the vets for neutering!
Wizz, it's good to see him feeling more comfortable here and not rushing off!
You have made such amazing steps with the boy! keep doing what you are doing and gaining his confidence! You'll get him and I know you wont let him go!!!
I think this dog is going to keep you very busy!
SBG, that's what I think i shoud do, I hope it works oooout!
LWD, I feel like I am doing alot of sitting around and waiting!
Is there a wormer you could put into his food? It might help him put on weight if he is wormed. This would drive me crazy, as I think it is doing to you. Stumpy is being very brave to put up with this.
Sandra, that's a GREAT idea. And yes, I have some worming stuff i can put right in his food. THANKS!!!
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