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

For me they are the role model for being alive.

~ Gilda Radner

Monday, August 30, 2010

A week in Apple Town

It rained from Kansas to Thursday, so poor Stumpy didn't get her swim, as promised.

Kuzzin Booker came to play on Wednesday


Booker is a 90 pound Briard


On Thursday Stumpy finally got to the lake for a swim

And she's been swimming every day, since.

Friday we went to BFF Baxter's house for a pool party and frog hunting expedition, but that will have to wait. We are sitting in front of the library and the laptop batter is about to die.

We haven't had much luck with internet access so our blog visits have been cut short. We promise to visit when we can!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sunday's snooze and...

Lock Haven, PA



As much as Stumpy loves to graze and loves the water, she has a hard time appreciating the dewy, morning grass


2,448 miles down,341 miles to go

Take pawz

Richmond, Indiana


1,935 miles down, 882 miles to go.
I don't think you'll be going swimming until tomorrow, Stumpy :(

Friday, August 20, 2010

Stumpy does...

Albuquerque, New Mexico


Pueblo, Colorado


Limon, Colorado


Manhattan, Kansas


Lawrence, Kansas (hiding from the Kansas weather)


1,393 miles down, 1,476 miles to go.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Hurry up, already!

Stumpy's packed and ready to go...


We're FINALLY leaving dirtville in the dust, this afternoon!

Stumpy is doing her best to make sure I don't leave her behind. I've promised her a swim the minute we arrive in Apple Town.



She's feeling a little anxious, as evidenced by her ears.



She won't look at me, in case I decide she can't come with and I send her to her kennel, instead.


Could you east coasters do somethng about the humidty before we get there? PLEEEEEEZE????

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The routine

Every morning

and each evening

Stumpy hightails it out to the deck to practice her dance routines


her unsuspecting partners await.


I've spent hours out there, with her. Camera at the ready to capture her complicated routines.

She high steps, cavorts, does flips and twists that would be the envy of any Olympic gymnast.

Mostly, she doesn't do them when the camera is pointed at her.



OOPS!!!

Of course, I didn't laugh! OF course, I didn't!!!









Occasionally, she allows me to film her progress...


Sometimes her dance partner dances his last dance :(

Monday, August 16, 2010

Sunday's Snooze (July 4, 2010)





I had these photos stored as a draft and thought I would share.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Watchoo looking at? AKA Norwood's Eye Watch Friday

Stumpy's tribute to Gary Coleman (better late than never)






Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Don't wait up! Stumpy and Sugar are going out on the town!


Stumpy's taking Sugar dancin' for her birthday!

Click here for a link to the live party cam.

They won't be home until after the sun rises!

Happy Birthday, Sugar! Wishing you many Golden Woofs, today and always!
.
Disclaimer:
Stumpy want's you all to know she's not a cross-dresser. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just not who she is.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Sunday's snooze

You don't want to be the one to wake Stumpy up!


Have you ever seen such a look of utter disdain?

Not to worry! At the mention of a treat, I am the subject of her devotion and best friend, once more!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Berner Report: August 7th Update



I've heard from Alf's mom a couple of times and Alf is settling in nicely. He's up to his old tricks: following his mom everywhere and trying to climb in the shower with her.

She writes, "...Things have been a bit busy lately, but I did want you to know that Alfy is doing super.
Big hugs and Kisses to Stumpy..."

and included plenty of pictures!

Alf's sleeping style hasn't changed any!



Going for a ride with his sisters...



Such a handsome dude!

awwwww!


This one's my favorite!

Alf and sister Sophie

OH! I miss his squishy face!

C'mon! Could he possibley be any cuter?

Smile for the camera, Alf!

Hey! How did Alf get grass to roll in when Stumpy and I are still stuck in the desert? and a pool, too????? yeesh... I need to find me a home...



YUP! Same ol' Alf!!!

Peek-a-boo! We can't see you!

Many, Many thanks for the pictures and updates! We love you, Alfy!!!

The Berner (now known as Alphonso Bernard Jacob Scout Billy Bob Berner)is/was a semi-feral dog trying to survive in the Mohave Desert.

He has a family of his own, now, and is living. well-loved and happily ever after, in sunny, SoCal.

If you're a new visitor to our blog, the Berner's story can be read in the posts listed below, in chronological order. Updates are posted on Saturday.
#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)
#13 The Berner (aka Alphonso Bernard Jacob Scout Billy Bob Berner) Report: May 1 - May 8
#14 The Weekly Berner Report: May 8 - May 15
#15 The Weekly Berner Report: May 15 - 22
#16 The Berner Report: May 22 - May 29
#17 The Weekly Berner Report: May 29 - June 5
#18 The Weekly Berner Report: June 5 - 12
#19 The Weekly Berner report: June 14 - 19
#20 The Weekly Berner Report: June 27 - July 3 (Experts weigh in, please)
#21 The Weekly Berner Report (July 3 - July 10)
#22 The Weekly Berner Report, July 17, The Details and Boatlaods of Gratitude
#23 July 20: Vegas, Baby!
#24 The Berner Report: New Beginnings, July 23

Public Service Announcements

Justice for Bear Bear


Bear Bear, a rescued Siberian Husky was shot by an off duty off-duty, federal Department of Defense officer. The officer used his personal weapon and killed Bear Bear while he was playing in an off-leash dog park in Baltimore.

Meeshka wrote:
"...On Monday, 2 August 2010, in my community, a wonderful husky named Bear-Bear was shot and killed in a local community dog park.

Bear-Bear was adopted from Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue, which is where Sam the Spineless Bionic Hip/Knee pup, and Loki came from.

On Monday, while Bear was playing in the fenced in dog park, like he did most nights at the same time, an off duty DoD officer arrived with his wife, and his German Shepherd, Asia, on leash. According to Bear's caretaker, the dogs were playing, when the Officer felt they were playing too rough, demanded the caretaker get Bear, then stepped back, pulled a 9mm handgun and shot Bear.

Anne Arundel County Police and Animal Control arrived and proceeded to stand outside the fenced area questioning the officer and Bear's guardian, while Bear lay on the dirt dying. Witness accounts say that they treated the officer like an old friend, while they held a taser on the guardian and wouldn't let him enter the pen and help Bear. Eventually he was allowed in, Bear was loaded on a stretcher and taken to the Annapolis Emergency Vet. Nothing could be done to save Bear, as the bullet (a hollow point) had pierced several of Bear's internal organs. He was put to sleep.

The Officer stated that Bear had jumped on his dog and bit him, then when the Officer tried to get Bear off his dog, Bear lunged and tried to bite him then bit his dog a second time. Witnesses, who the police did not interview say otherwise. Animal Control did not file a report because they found no bite marks or injuries to either dog, except for Bear's lethal gunshot wound.

County police closed the case and stated that there was no criminal charges.

We need your help! A massive social network movement is underway to get justice for Bear-Bear! We have succeeded in informing the County Executive to re-open this case. We want you to keep the pressure on the county, the county police, and the Federal Officer's workplace. His employer currently states that no charges will be filed and he will be returning to work tomorrow (5 August 2010).

It doesn't matter if you live in Anne Arundel County Maryland, please call and demand justice for Bear:

John Leopold, Anne Arundel County Executive
(410) 222-1821
jleopold@aacounty.org

Anne Arundel County Police Western District
(410) 222-6155
P02438@aacounty.org

Fort Myer Public Relations (Officer's workplace)
(703) 696-0596
Director of Public Affairs
(703) 696-4979

Join the facebook support page:
and the Justice for Bear-Bear support page on Facebook..." (Quoted with permission)

Video with the story and interviews can be seen here.

Please feel free to cut and paste the following letter in an e-mail or onto paper (stacks of letters on someone's desk are soooooo much more effective!) to send to the names listed above.

Date: August 5, 2010

Subject: Officer shoots dog

To Whom It May Concern:

Recently, it was brought to my attention that a federal officer fired his weapon, within city limits, in a public area and purposely killed a family pet.

I am not sure of all the legal ramifications involved in this event. At the very least discharging a gun within city limits is enough to warrant charges brought against the shooter.

A valid concern is the lack of control an armed civil servant showed in this situation. The officer in question fired his weapon in a very public area, where children would be present.

At the very least, this officer should be suspended, without pay, throughout the investigation and pending a full evaluation of his mental stability.

I for one, do not feel safer, knowing someone like this, who is being paid to protect is willing and able to fire a gun and shoot to kill in a situation such as this.

I am shocked that it took public pressure to open an investigation with regard to this matter. I am stunned that this man is out on the streets, today, carrying a loaded weapon to dispense at the slightest provocation.

Please, perform you sworn public duty, immediately! Remove this man from any place where he can do more harm.

Sincerely,



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"Run with the Big Dogs" 2010 5k Event!



When: Saturday August 14th

Where: Clement Park in Littleton CO

Time: 7:30am-Registration; 8:25-Blessing of the Animals; 8:30 Race time

Cost: $50 for Individual, $75 for Family. Includes goodie bag & Race T-shirt (2 for Family)

What if you can't come: You can "Snooze for the Big Dogs"- $50 and a t-shirt will be mailed
To Register:
1) visit Big Dogs, Huge Paws
2) Click on "Donate"
3) Indicate your donation is for the 5k, Single or Family & size of t-shirts

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Never Walk Alone
Dog is Good is a proud sponsor of Army Veteran Troy Yocum and his "wonder dog" Emmie, who are hiking 7000 miles across the country to raise funds and awareness for soldiers, veterans and their families. This "Never Walk Alone" tee not only depicts these two travelers on their journey but also symbolizes the reality that our troops and their loved ones never have to walk alone. To help meet that goal, DIG will donate 100% of all retail profit from sales of this shirt to Troy's causes, which includes Soldier's Angels.
You can purchase the T-shirt here.



You can follow Emmie and Troy's hike on Twitter
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Mayzie recently advised us of an ANTI BSL Campain that needs our help.

With your help, OPERATION DENVER hopes to repeal BSL laws. they've made it easy for you to help.
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Heres a long list of food that could prove fatal if your dog ingests one. I was surprised by more than a couple on the list.
COMMON FOODS THAT ARE HARMFUL OR EVEN FATAL TO DOGS

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Canine Creation Story

On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day of creation, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created furniture for the dog to use as he wishes.

On the fourth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the fifth day, God created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the dog.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog health and the man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest... but he had to walk the dog!

The vacation is over

and Stumpy is hard at work.

Supervising yard maintenance.

Don't worry, about her over doing.

She takes plenty of breaks.

WAIT!!! Is she actually laughing at me while I work?????


She is!!!


Stumpy better remember who has the opposable thumbs, in this house, and can open the treat jar!