"He is one smart, active, happy little guy. He loves his toys."
"He is very loved and has many friends at the park."
"The cart was at Best Buy. They said if I can fit him in it, he can come inside. Well, good idea at the time. Alphie thought otherwise and jumped ship."
"He has completely rescued us... We absolutely adore him."
Alphie's mom and I talked on the phone the other day and for all he's been through, he is an unbelievably well adjusted dog. His separation anxiety is almost non existent. When he's left home his biggest crime is removing the cushions from the couch. He can be seen, at the window, waiting for the return of those he loves. Alphie loves kids and playing at the park with other dogs. He's allowed off-leash now.
I'll forever be grateful to our furiends in blog land who supported and encouraged me, throughout this journey; for the people at the Bernese Mountain Dog Club who networked to find Alphie this wonderfully loving home. And for Alphie's family, for opening the hearts and home to him, and for keeping me in the loop and connected.
I know that every day and every night Alf is living and loving happily ever after and dreaming the sweet dreams that every dog deserves.
Frequently, strange dogs pass through our yard. Most don't stop to visit because Stumpy fools them with her bluster and charge. This guy wasn't phased, in the least. He stopped to say hello with his buddy. They're new neighbors and live down the street. Unlike most, they seem well fed. They escape their fenced enclosure every once in awhile.
His buddy took off as soon as I came out, and this guy followed right along. Five minutes later their owners drove up the street in pursuit and returned, a few minutes later, with the dogs in the cab of the truck.
I know Stumpy wishes they would have stayed to play. I'm happy these two have a family that loves them. But if we could get one of those skinny ferals to hang out, I wouldn't be sad.
It's been just over a year since Alf first made himself at home, in Stumpy's favorite chair.
We haven't heard from him, lately. But he's never far from our thoughts. I did talk to his Mom after Christmas. His sweet sister Sophie had to under go ACL surgery and then they were headed to Oklahoma for the winter. I think they will be returning in April. Stumpy and I are planning to head to the beach to visit with them and my sister.
Alf was a lot of things, but mostly he was stinkin' adorable. Below are pictures from a Sunday Snooze that had never been posted
Alf's mom, Dorothea, has emailed me a few times since I left dirtville. Due to my lack of internet, I didn't receive them until Monday 9/13. She included a lot of pictures, too :)
Alf's mom writes: "...Alfy is doing terrific. He is the apple of our eye. Sophie adores him, and he is the first dog we have ever had that actually retrieves his toys. He loves to empty his toy basket. I am constantly picking up, and as soon as I'm done he empties it again. It is too cute.
He follows me everywhere, loves to ride in the car, and go for walks in the park. He loves children and has made a whole bunch of new doggie friends. His training continues, and he does very well
He loves Brandy and Alan. You can't wipe the smile off his face when they walk through the door.
The kennel stressed him incredibly, so I broke it down and back in the garage it went. He does fine inside, except for throwing all the pillows on the ground and scratching a bit of the laundry room door. Just a bit of anxiety, that will pass.
I let him roam around free with Sophie and he is fine. Never had another accident in the house. So curious about everything, it is adorable. He tries to entice Sophie to play the way Stumpy used to do him. He loves to go for walks. He is healthy, happy, and loved.
I'll never be able to thank Dorothea and her family for opening their hearts and home to Alf and providing a REALLY perfect environment for him to live and love forever! This really is a dream come true!
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!!!
I've been out of my mind the last month and particularly the last two weeks. I've been thinking the worst with regard to Alf's future (or lack of one) I truly felt, in my heart, that euthanasia was a better option than a shelter, for many reasons.
I absolutely have to get back east, and soon. I set a departure date for August 1st (for about the 12th time) this time I knew I had to stick to it.
I've been emailing and calling rescues all over the country and posting on forums for weeks. On Saturday a horse forum member (yes, I posted on a couple of horse forums, too) referred me to a rescue in Colorado, Big Dogs, Huge Paws (aka BDHP).
I emailed BDHP and received an email that same day telling me they would help Alfy! I was psyched. BDHP is actually a national rescue, the one I contacted is located in Colorado. Awesome! Lucky Alf is going to get out of this god forsaken desert! All their dogs are in foster homes, they've got a great program and as far as I could tell they do everything exactly as I would; better, no doubt
By the way, BDHP has a blog. I hope everybloggie will check them out and show them some love.
That same day, I called Sue, the rescue contact for the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Watchung Sue referred me to an international Bernese Mountain Dog mailing list. The email had barely been sent and I was receiving responses. The Berner people stepped right up and began networking to find Alf a home. Monday I was contacted by a woman in California wanting to give our boy a home. She comes with great references, including a well known, responsible BMD breeder/rescue. The family who will be taking Alf has one of her bitches. You've already met Sophie, a five year old Berner girl. Einstein, pictured below in the forefront, is Sophie's younger brother. That's Sophie, in the back. Einstein, also pictured on our sidebar Berner rescue button, was a rescued Berner adopted by Alf's new family. Sadly, they lost him as a result of bloat.
We're pretty sure Einstein has his paws in this whole journey and has orchestrated Alf's destiny to help heal the broken hearts he left behind Alf's new mom doesn't want me to speak of Einstein's abuse but of the love and joy he brought to their family. I'll only say this: Our Mr.B and Einstein stories' share some similar circumstances. "...He was precious loving, and curious about everything. Even when he first arrived. He loved to walk. I would go early so he could feel the sun on his face. I used to tell him it came up to greet him. And at night, while on our walk when the sun would go down I would tell him it was kissing him goodnight. He was so proud to walk with his family. He was curious even when I put that funny stuff on my face. I let him smell everything.Even my parfume bottle. He would curiously sniff, then shake his nose and smile at me. He loved riding in the car. My little navigator. He would jump in and head straight for the armrest. Front paws on armrest back legs on backseat. Then Right before I would take off, kiss for the driver. It was a ritual for him. I could not get in and drive without his kiss. As far as Einstein was concerned that is what made the car go. He loved Sophie and she him. In the morning he would go up to her and sniff,and kiss her on the nose while little tails wagging. It was one of the most endearing beautiful moments of our day. If he heard a police car, fire truck , or ambulance, he would bark and howl. As soon as Sophie barked at noises outside or people walking by, Einstein would run up to her and join in. He would wait for Sophies cue and stop only if she did. It drove us bananas and made us laugh all at the same time. It was way too cute. He loved to cuddle. He would sometimes fall asleep right next to Sophie..."
Coincidentally, the adopters live in the same town as my sister, in California. My sister will go over on Monday to do a home check. (Side note: Yipeeeeee! Stumpy's going to the beach AND I get to see my baby S'tar)
As planned, Alf will go to the vets on the 21st and I will deliver him to his mom on the 23. We'll spend some time together, first at the park and then in Alf's new home. I'll stay in Laguna (yes, this lucky boy is moving to sunny SoCal!) for a couple of days to visit with my sister and make sure Alf settles in.
Blog land has been especially kind and supportive of Alf, throughout this journey. I know many of you have cried tears of happiness with each step forward and tears of frustration with every setback. We are so grateful for your advice, encouragement and help.
I'm grateful to Paula who blogs at Woof Whinny Whisper and Sandra who blogs at This & That for posting Alfy's search for a forever home on their blogs.
Although,RUFFF (Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends Foundation)was unable to provide sanctuary for Alf, they were more than happy to allow Alf to go to their vet and receive their discount for all procedures, tests and vaccinations. They also provided advice and encouragement, throughout our journey.
I hope the members of the Berner-L yahoo group and mailing list know how much I appreciate their network, the support they provided and their encouragement. I extend my gratitude to the member that offered to foster,those that were prepared to make sure Alf had a great future and those that took the time to share his story, which resulted in this very happy new beginning.
Thanks, too, to that wonderfully crazy and hugely supportive Horse Forum, whose members referred me to BDHP and other rescues; and one member in particular who was prepared to give Alf a forever home, in New England.
I am so grateful to my neighbors and friends for keeping track of Alfy, and watching out for him when he was wandering.
And more than anything or anyone I'd to thank Alfy's new family for opening their hearts and home to this special boy. I am beyond thrilled for Alf! I wish Alf and his new family the very brightest future possible, days filled with love and laughter. I know Alf will continue to grow and respond to your kindness and love.
Last but never least, I must thank Stumpy. I'm quite sure she let Alf know, right from the beginning, that the two-legged that lived here was a sucker with an endless supply of treats, bones and chewies; that I was constantly buying pillows and chairs for canine comfort and that belly rubs and back scratches were given freely.
I figure when Stumpy first told Alf about her two-legged sucker, she did it in a bragging sort of way (all part of Einstein's plan); never thinking she'd have to share her treats, bones, chairs and pillows. In the picture above we see Stumpy sulking because Alf has his own bone and doesn't want hers. Alf likes this. You can be sure he will plant himself right in front of Stumpy anytime there's a bone to be chewed.
One more piece of the puzzle falls into place: the vet who will be doing Alf's brain surgery lives in the same town as Cuzzin Fenway and my son! We'll also get to spend a couple days there,with Fenway, (oh yeah, and my son) while Alf recovers.
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's ready for his new home and will be delivered there shortly
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.
Although I have wormed the Berner, twice, it seems he still has a load of parasites. Tapeworms! EEEWWWWW! YUCK! Gag me! Yes, tape worms. Evidence was clinging to his skirt/pantaloons earlier this week. In my experience, tapeworms/larvae are injested when a dog eats wild rabbit. The rabbit got the tape worm, via fleas. We don't have fleas in dirtville! Does this mean Alf came from somewhere, other than dirtville, that has a flea population?
My next question is which OTC dewormer is the one that does the best job. On line research references 3: Panacur (fenbendazole) or Praziquantel (Tape Worm Tabs for dogs by TradeWinds) or Safeguard (active ingredient is fenbendazole). Of course, my first choice would be to bring him to the vet. That's not happening, just yet, due to his anxiety in the car.
Below are some of the things I pull out of Alf, each day, during grooming. This is an enlarged picture of the item circled in red. Evil, wicked #@$^%&!!! things. No wonder he chews at himself all day. I don't pull the foxtail, goat's heads and whitestem seeds out of his fur. I pull them out of his skin! The poor guy! He doesn't have much belly hair due to chewing and his attempt to remove the foriegn objects from his skin. I wish Stumpy would clue him in about staying out of the danger zone.
Much to my dismay and consternation, Alfy still goes for a stroll every day, before it gets real hot (after we take ours). He's back in an hour or so ready to take advantage of the AC.
He's a lttle confused here because I am trying to follow him with the camera and he just wants to say hello. He says hello for Stumpy, heads for the water and without even taking a drink plops down on the closest AC vent.
He moves from the kitchen over to the vent closest to my desk, so he can block my cool air.
We've added "down" to his repitoire.
His "down" and "sit" have really come along way, since these videos were taken, earlier this week. I don't have to use food and I can use voice or hand signals. He also returns to the sit position after a down, when asked. Normally I would be working on "stay" about this time, but once Alf is down, he is down for the count. Also, leash work stresses him out. I know we have to do it, but it's really hard for me to be the cause of his stress. I will be biting the bullet this week, for sure.
Mr.B, willingly, climbs into the back of the cab.
And his stress level lowers, just a little, each time we picnic on hotdogs and cheese in the truck.
Mr.B discovered the window, this time. I'm hoping that helps decrease his stress even more.
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. 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.
If you are interested in adopting this handsome boy please refer to my sidebar and check out Petfinder's "New Dog Adopter's" Pledge. This is the home Alfy deserves. He will come to you house broken, crate trained, vet checked, neutered, up to date on his vaccinations and micro-chipped. Alfy will bring his crate, his bed, favorite toys and some food with him. Vet references will be required. A home-check is a possibility. Because of his wander lust a fenced yard is probably necessary. Distance may not be a problem. I'll be traveling east in the not too distant future. I have also had offers for transport help, when the time comes.
