I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.

For me they are the role model for being alive.

~ Gilda Radner

Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Weekly Berner Report (March 28 - April 3)

Not much has changed. he comes and he goes. He's definitely a little more comfortable hanging out. He stretches and lies down after he eats. Or maybe he's just hoping for more cheese; perhaps another of Stumpy's bones. If he hangs around long enough he'll get one or the other.
Saturday, March 28
The Berner FINALLY showed up for his breakfast around 8pm! After he ate he climbed into Stumpy's chair and had a nap.


He was still here at 11, when I was getting ready for bed.


And still on the deck when I went out awhile later.



Monday, March 29
He was gone in the morning :(

Tuesday, March 30
He never came back yesterday, but he was in Stumpy's chair when I went outside at about 5am. He had eaten half a bowl of kibble but and wasn't interested in the good eats.


Stumpy got in his face and he warned her away with a growl.

She always looks so big next to him, in pictures. She must be standing on her tippy toes here, coz she just isn't that big!

When I went back out, about an hour later, he had eaten most of the good stuff and snuck away.

Wednesday, March 31
He still hadn't been around by the time I left for work. When I got home something had eaten some kibble. The Berner? I think if it was anything else, a coyote or another stray the whole bowl would have been consumed. Unless it was my neighbors dogs, that don't usually run loose,and they were busted while up on the deck.

The Berner finally showed up around 6:30pm. We got a tail wag and a jump for joy. I am sure it was for the food and not because he missed me. He wolfed his dinner down and drank over a quart of water. After watching him eat and drink, I don't think it was him that ate the kibble earlier in the day. hmmmm...

I gave him some cheese. but, I was saving the best for last: one of Stumpy's soup bones! Ssssshhh! She doesn't know!

Dee, Tula's mom, suggested a peanut butter stuffed kong and since I live in dirtville and their are no kongs for at least 50 miles I thought about one of Stumpy's bones. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. He loved it! And he probably hung around on the deck, with me, chomping on it for 45 minutes.





We've got some wild weather blowing in tonight. I sure wish he would come inside.

Thursday, April 1
The berner showed up around 7, ate all his dinner and some cheese allowed me to give him a few scritches and then went on his way. Did he get a little territorial on his way out?


We went back out about an hour later and he was back, curled up on the deck.

I had flipped the chair and brought in all the cushions due to the forecast predicting rain.

I flipped the chair upright for him.

10pm and he's curled up in the chair.


Friday, April 2
He's still here this morning!

He had some breakfast, (I wish I could get two meals into him everyday!)

My camera's battery died here :(

He let me scratch his ears and scratch/massage his back, as long as I had cheese.

Stumpy came out to say good morning. She'd been having a tantrum inside, throwing herself against the door. She sat on the Berner's head. He didn't seem to be into that so he got up and left.

I got home from work and he was at the house. But he left when we pulled in; never even looked back when I called to him.

Berner boy showed up for dinner around 6:30, cleaned the bowl and then set to washing his face.




Saturday, April 3
He spent a portion of the night, here. I know because he woke me up howling out on the deck. But he was gone when I got up this morning at 5am.

As always, your advice, suggestions, even criticism is welcome! I am hoping this weekend it will be warm enough to leave the door open so he might venture in. I always invite, attempt to lure and cajole him inside. So far he isn't willing.

I am cooking cooking bacon to use in the Happy Heelers' mom's German Egg Cake with bacon, AKA Eierkuchen, recipe. Bacon worked the first time!

I sure wish he'd let me get those eye boogers! Eye boogers drive me crazy!


If you're a new visitor to our blog, the Berner's story can be read in the posts listed below.
#1 Who's been sitting in my chair?
#2 Runnin' with the big dawgs
#3 There's a Berner in my living room!
#4 He's everywhere!
#5 He's gone
#6 The Berner: coming and going
#7 Berner News

15 comments:

Stella said...

Thanks for the updates on Berner and thanks for feeding him. I suspect he is hooked on the lifestyle and will never be a house dog again. Unless, of course, he gets hurt and if he can make it to your house, he will. Could you and Stumpy use some help in feeding him? Lettuce know! What happened to the Berner rescue people?


Kisses,
Stella

Sandra said...

I think you are making great progress, but as Stella said, he may never make a house dog. But he may eventually stick around what he is beginning to feel is home.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I am furry proud of his khroissant and khomfy chair pawsition!

I think he's been studying my blog when woo aren't looking!

I hope he khomes to his senses and realises woo only want to help!

Paws khrossed!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Brenda's Arizona said...

Thank you for the updates. I wait all week for these. I can't believe how patient you are and how independent he is. I want him to co-operate, haha.

Hugs to you and Stumpy for sticking with Berner. Wish we were closer, dang it.

Sam said...

I really love reading your Berner updates. I think that he will continue to get more and more friendly with you. I wonder if he was someone's pet at some point - he seems more friendly towards you than others would be. Like the others said, he may always want to be outside, but it'll be nice for him to have a human friend in this world.

Pat Wahler said...

I'm so impressed with how far he's come. Be patient and keep trying!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Stella, I will email your mom and appreciate the offer to help. I would like to think if I can get him neutered he may be more willing to stick around. and yeah, he may never be a house dog.

Sandra, That's what I am hoping. And like I mentioned to Stella, neutering might help.

Khyra, he does like to cross his paws.

Brenda, maybe if I tell him you said to co operate he'll listen!

Sam, I REALLY believe he was once a well loved pet. Another reason to get him to a vet and look for a microchip! First I have to get him into the house!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

K9friend, we must have been posting at the same time. It's easy to be patient with this boy he really is a sweet guy!

tula monstah said...

ummm stumpy, it wasn't me-- it was my mom's suggestion. okay? i had nothing to do with that one. bacon has got to do the trick. who doesn't luv bacon!

here's one other idea in place of a kong.. frozen applesauce cups or yogurt. mom buys me different flavors of applesauce & puts them in the freezer. so after a hot walkies, it cools me down & so yummy.

extra jelly beans 4 ya-- and you don't have to share:)

happy easter,
tula & dee

Anonymous said...

I will have to read the previous mentions, but in this post it seems he is making great progress over a short time.
From the pictures I am guessing some border collie mixed in there as well.
The fact that Berner boy and Stumpy can get so close and friendly is very encouraging.
I appreciate the care and concern you have for Berner.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Tula, I love the applesaussce and yogurt ideas. Bonus points because Stumpy can have them, too and maybe will stop gaining weight. More points because I have some of both in my fridge, already!

Dogsmom, Border collie or Australian Shepherd was what I was thinking. Stumpy gets along with most dogs that put up with her shenanigans. He is totally non aggressive with food, too. All those things will play out ina major way when it comes to rehoming him, if that happens.

Life With Dogs said...

This must be exciting and frustrating at the same time. It certainly makes for fun reading. I can't wait until you tame him! :)

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

LWD, it;s all that and scary and nerve wracking, too. It's a good thing I don't have much of a life here in dirtville, because I only want to stay home so I don;t miss his comings and goings!

T said...

How awesome!! My apologies, I have not checked blogger since I last posted, so I just read your comment on my blog. I will get in touch with you this week, but wow, you are doing awesome!!

I posted the pup today;)

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Awe, T, I am glad you think so! I am sooo not sure of the right thing!