I'd hazard a guess that the Berner is close to his ideal weight, at this point. We haven't progressed with regard to his kenneling or riding in the car.
He'd let me brush him 24/7, if I wanted.
He did display, what I consider to be, possibly unsafe behavior (with regard to children) at one point this week.
Saturday, May 1
I was gone most of the day, today. The Berner had gone for a stroll before I left.
He arrived back home shortly after me.
Later, he fell asleep in a corner, his new favorite corner.
Sunday, May 2
We usually get a break from the wind, at least for a couple hours in the morning. Not this morning, though. The wind started gusting around 5am and the dogs don't feel like dealing with it.
They're in the house and underfoot.
I had a BBQ to go to and had to throw the Berner out. I wish so badly he would learn to love his kennel. It breaks my heart to leave him and he's looking a little heart broken, too.
Mr. B was waiting for me when I got home.
Berner boy's favorite toy is a weird egg shaped thing, that Stumpy never liked. It's made to put treats in, but he doesn't care whether it's loaded or not.
Stumpy is busily removing bones from where the Berner is playing with his toy.
Stumpy oversees Mr. B with a bone that she wants (all of a sudden, in spite of the fact she hasn't looked at that bone for at least a year.)
Monday, May 3
A friend in need called and I had to leave. I tried to convince Mr.B to go for a ride with us. I thought for a minute he was going to! Instead of getting in the car he went under the deck :(
When I got home he was gone.
He didn't come back until late, after 10pm. Stumpy and I worried all day. Stumpy kept look out, looking very irritated with his absence.
(You saw the picture earlier this week, so there's your answer. Truthfully, though, if could have been any one of the answers or "D" all of the above. I know I was irritated that we weren't/couldn't get to the lake.
Stumpy opens a can of whoop-ass on Alfy, giving him whatfor due to his prolonged absence?
Tuesday, May 4
Hey! That's not the Berner!
There he is!
Today I had to lure him out of the house, in order to leave for work. It's not the first time, and now he's on to me. He wasn't budging for cheese! Finally, I had to use Stumpy.
I actually thought about leaving my house open so he could leave if he wanted. But, I really don’t want to deal with any other desert critters, including tweekers, feral cats, rattlesnakes, scorpions, pack rats or feral dogs, that might take advantage of an open door. Until I can kennel him, I really don't have a choice. We're getting there.
On my way home from work I saw the Berner walking up my street, in the opposite direction of the house. I stopped the car and called to him. He approached me warily. When He got close enough for a wiff he got all excited and happy to see me. I tried to convince him to get in the car, but he wasn't falling for it. He was willing to put his front paws in my lap while I sat in the car, but that's as far as he would go. When I started the car he backed out and followed me home.
I can't find my camera :(
Wednesday, May 5
The Berner spent the night, but I still havent found my camera. To make matters worse, I don't have to work today and the Berner left around 7am. Darn that dog! I don't have to go to work and I had big plans to work on kenneling and car rides, with Stumpy's help. Sheeesh!
He returned home around 2. And he's gimpy again. He let me look at his paw and I can't see anything; must be a thorn in there. I have one in my foot, too. a stupid little microscopic-sized thing that REALLY hurts! grrrrr! desert and all things thorny!
He and Stumpy enjoyed their bones. I don't know what the Berner was thinking moving this close to Stumpy.
Thursday, May 6
Yes, I found my camera; the third time I looked in my car.
Something has peaked his interest in the desert behind us.
Berner boy didn't want to move today when it was time for me to go to work.
I'm calling to him in this picture. I have waved cheese and multiple other treats under his nose. I am pretty sure he is on to me.
I poked and prodded
Finally, I was forced to pull on his collar and he screeched in protest(note: not accptable kid safe behavior), but forgave me, with kisses, immediately. I thought I would try his kennel. I convinced him to go in and closed the door behind him. He went into panic mode and out the door when I opened the kennel.
He was in MY chair on the deck, when I got home.
Stumpy's chair is in the sun,until a little later in the day.
Napping on the deck
Friday, May 7
He seems to be ok with his kennel, in spite of yesterday's failed attempt to kennel him.
Mr. Alphonso Bernard Jacob Scout Billy Bob Berner arrived back at the house around 2pm.
He gnaws a bone
and then has a nap
Saturday, May 8
It appears stumpy may have reclaimed one of her chairs.
I get to stay home today. Will the Berner stay or will he go?
I tendered my resignation at the food bank/emergency services/thrift store a few weeks back. I am still volunteering, but on a more limited basis. With my plans to return east, for an extended stay, I felt it was necessary for the organization to find someone that could be there to take responsibility in my absence.
I've never made it a secret that I prefer working with animals as opposed to people. With more time at home, I hope to step up the Berner's rehab. I'm also hoping, with a new car in my future that when I return from the east coast to get more involved in rescue and rehab. (Man that's some ugly grammar!)
The Berner is/was a semi-feral dog trying to survive in the Mohave Desert. If you're a new visitor to our blog, the Berner's story can be read in the posts listed, in chronlogical order, 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
#8 The Weekly Berner Report (March 28 - April 3)
#9 The Weekly Berner Report (April 3 - April 10)
#10 The Weekly Berner Report (April 10 - April 17);
#11 The Weekly Berner Report (April 17 - April 24)
#12 The Weekly Berner Report (April 24 - May 1)
12 comments:
He has come so far. My greyhound will not kennel. She goes crazy, I mean really CRAZY, if put into a kennel. I hope he can learn to accept it.
He sounds like he's doing really well. For a dog who came from being completely feral, a couple of icky behaviors (like screeching when you grabbed his collar) are probably to be expected.
As for the car, could you possibly have him retrieve treats out of it? Just throw them far enough for him to stick his head in and get it, then throw it so he has to take a step in, etc. etc. etc. I know you know about this stuff already, just my fearful-dog mind working, as usual :P
He is really beautiful and I think you are doing a great job with him. When do you go East? What will happen to him when you are gone? Have any rescue groups stepped up?
Sandra, I am glad I am not the only one that thinks he's amazing. Does Grace do ok out of the kennel? I've seen this boy try to eat doors and dig through windows, so I can't really leave him loose in the house.
Sam, yeah I am just taking note of the collar incident. I knew he was sensative about it.
The Berner and I are having probelms with our schedules. That's exactly my plan for getting him in the car. Now if he could just arrange to be home when I am home and it's not too hot to work on it. I don't think a hot car is going to be a positive learning experience.
WWW, I don't have a solid plan, there's few details, with regard to my trip, that aren't settled yet. I am shooting for sometime in June. I have spoken with two BMD rescues and they will only take purebreds, both are willing to help rehome. There are no rescues in Mohave county taking dogs and waiting lists are filled to capacity. I am waiting on a response from another BMD organization. I don't know what will happen when I head east. I am hoping to find him a home before then.
Hi stumpy.
so sorry I've been away so long. Now that I've been paroled from my detainment, I'm working on my film festival. I'm posting your entry right now. Woot woot!
norwood
Another week's events and more smiles from here!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
What amazing steps!!! He'll get in the car-I just know it!
I freaked at the rattlesnakes and scorpions-I just couldn't do it!!!
Norwood, no problem... I knew you were in jail and mom was out of town.
Khyra, I'd smile more if this Berner and i could get our schedules straight!
Penny, Now that it's hot, I have to go out before Stumpy to make sure there's no rattlesnakes in the yard. grrrr! Scorpians tend to be underneath rocks so I don't worry about them. Still don't want them in the house though.
Any post that includes opening a can of whoop-ass makes my day. But you know how excited I am to see that your guest is settling in. What was that about impossible? ;)
LWD, He continues to amaze and baffle me!
I chuckled when you said he was still accepting of the kennel, but his head was sticking out far enough there was no way a door could close.
You know, if you want to plan that trip and pass through Wisconsin, he'd be welcome here! Think he'd ride with you in the car this far???
(Work on that between now and June - what, 2 or 3 weeks?) Will there be blog updates during your absence?
You did say he followed the car when he knew it was you - wouldn't he be surprised if you led him off to be neutered!
he is so beautiful.... and you are doing such a good job with him. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I also know that just about every rescue I talk to is full these days. He's right up my alley if I didn't already have three!
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