The Berner Report (April 24 - May 1) and the naming poll

Please go to the right hand sidebar, at the top and help decide what the Berner should be called.
The choices are, listed in alphabetical order:
Alfy (spelled incorrectly on the poll, short for Alphonso and the theme song of the movie "Alphie"
Bernie
Billy Bob Berner
Jake, for the song "Feed Jake" It's a great song, if you haven't heard it before, take a minute to listen to it.
Scout

We continue to work on his trust issues, kenneling and leash work (not so much.) He goes in and out of his kennel, with a bribe, when I ask. He naps in it occasionally, but still prefers Stumpy's kennel.

It almost seems, at this point, if I didn't have place to go, he wouldn't be going anywhere, either. He spends, on average, about 18 hours a day, here. Sometimes, even when Stumpy and I are out on the deck, he asks to go back inside!

He and Stumpy have a little jealousy thing going on. Stumpy is showing her possessiveness in a big way.

Mr. B seems to want Stumpy to join him on his walk abouts. They'll be zooming around the yard and the Berner will head off up the street. He was successful in leading Stumpy off the property twice this week. Once when I wasn't paying attention. Fortunately, Stumpy's recall is darn near perfect. No more going back inside for anything, with the dogs on the deck.

Saturday, April 24
He's still spending the night


First, Stumpy tells the Berner it's time for breakfast


And then I call him in

He pretty much ignores me.

After breakfast Stumpy tells the Berner it's time to get up and get moving.


Mr. B decided he didn't need to go anywhere today. He made himself comfortable in the shade of an agave.


He shifts his position, as necessary, to remain in the shade.

and ignores me when I try to convince him to come into the house, out of the heat.

Finally, I lure him in with hot dogs. He seems to immediately realize the benefit of cool, tile floors

He spent the entire day in the house.

Trying out different resting places.


Stumpy watches him trying to squish himself in beside her chair.


By late afternoon the deck is once again in the shade so we hung out there, watching the world go by.


And he spent the night. I woke up in the middle of the night with a crushing weight on my chest! Heart attack? Respiratory failure?

No, it's a Berner dog. Go back to sleep.

Sunday, April 25
The Berner's been with us for over 36 hours straight.

I had said previously that he and Stumpy have their morning fun. But I am not so sure the Berner is having fun.


We worked on "sit"

He really doesn't get it.

And while I wasn't looking he left.
He came back around 1pm, hot and tired. After drinking his fill he searched for a cool place to rest.



Yes, that search included the tub



The Berner enjoyed a nap on the deck when as the sun began to set.


He and Stumpy enjoyed a quiet moment on the deck, after dark


Monday, April 26


Watching the sunrise


Morning bones


Berner under the agave


Tuesday, April 27


I had to leave early today and the Berner had already left. He came back around 3pm, exhausted. He had his dinner and barely moved for the rest of the night.

Both dogs would rather be inside but follow me out to the deck when I go.


Wednesday, April 28


The wind is gusting up to 60mph and at one time blew the umbrella over freaking Mr. B out. He left for awhile and then came back.

Stumpy tries to get him to play, but his idea of playing and hers are slightly different. The Berner doesn't want to move.

Stumpy likes to chase and be chased. She likes full body wrestling, body slams, tackling, high jumps and racing around.

Everyone's in their place


The Berner does use his kennel on occasion, by choice.


Thursday, April 29
It doesn't matter where the berner falls asleep at night, this is where he wakes up in the morning (and usually in this position.)


Berner Boy ran interference while Stumpy tried to play ball with me.


Stumpy and Mr. B played before I left for work.


After work Mr. B discovered another of Stumpy's toys and was totally baffled by it (wait til I fill it with peanut butter, tomorrow!)


The dogs hang out on the deck with me, before bed.


Friday, April 29


The dogs wait for breakfast.


Stumpy is learning to share


I had to leave for awhile in the early evening. When I got back, Mr. B was gone. He didn't come back until after 11pm.

Saturday, May 1


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)