Puppy power!

Spotty and Fizz in the garden last April

Playing in the backyard

We are very lucky to have a huge back yard for the dogs to play in. Here's Spotty, then Reba, WooZah, Poppy the pathetic Triever and in the very far distance Bliss as we got some fresh air this afternoon.

Puppy love

Rocky in the garden with Bear last May.

Classic

Rocky stood in a classic Berner pose. Top Dog!

Yummy!!

Had to post this one, taken with my phone a few weeks ago. Dotty or WooZah as she is most often called helping herself to some spilt milk powder that had gone off and was a bit toffee like. Her whiskers and nose are coated and it was so chewy she could hardly open her mouth but she persevered! Bliss who out of the five Berners we have is as mad as a box of frogs took a rather more dainty approach and just dipped her tongue in.

What sort of dog are you?

The Berners trying to figure out what sort of dog Hetty Dexter is. A very big one.

Different strokes

The Berners are all very different as can be seen from this mornings pics taken in another slight snow fall. Bliss and Dotty do most things together at Mach 1.

Reba usually joins in but at the moment she is taking things easy.

Spotty like to collect sticks and prefers to do that by himself. As for Rocky, well today I couldn't get far enough away from him to take a photo, he was stuck to me like a limpet.

Footprints in the snow

I went to see where the fox took our hen, should have been an easy task with a fresh fall of snow to pick up a trail.

But as I was followed by the famous five Berners it was a hopeless task as they ran backwards and forwards along the trails.

But at least they enjoyed themselves!

His latest stick

Spotty continues to prefer larger sticks, today taking this one away from the sawing pile and carrying it down the lane. If only he would remember to bring them back!

Puppy Trainer

We can't be certain but we do think that Reba is pregnant. Signs are many, she is in excellent condition, her coat has gone very glossy, she has stopped chasing the other Berners around so much (she is top dog out of the pack and likes to let everyone know) instead she sits and rests or spends even more time than usual asleep. Also she has got extremely territorial, even growled at some friends who visited, an event so rare in Berners that it must be her hormones taking over, the fact she was wagging her tail at the time shows how mixed up she was feeling. Her eating habits have changed, she has gone off large meals twice a day, instead she eats little and often, well make that non stop and has taken to counter surfing to see if there are any Berner treats just waiting to be picked up.
And then theres the trainer, which we have dubbed the puppy trainer. Last year it was a toy Highland Cow. She seems to have adopted one of Tracey's trainers this time. So fingers crossed, in six weeks we might have some little Berners at Rock HQ.

Sucking on a horse sized pill!

As magnificent as they are Berners do have the odd bad habit and like most dogs they are inexorably drawn to horse pooh which is to the canine palette as caviar is to ours. They love it.

I can fly!

Spotty 100% airbourne flying down the steep slope of the bonsai mountain.

Stand too!

Rocky standing perfectly in the mud, if only he stood like that in the show ring!

Charge!!!

Spotty, Bliss and on their tails, Rocky in a full speed charge along the lane. A Berner at full bore is an impressive sight but the sheep don't seem too impressed.

A question answered

A question often asked of us is are Berners good with other animals. Here's is Rocky demonstrating how good natured they are. Sheep don't normally tolerate dogs being so close but Rocky even shares their breakfast.

Under surveillance

Bliss in the yard with Dad, Rocky watching her.

Rocky

A handsome hunk!

Lucky Frog

Not sure if its the same lucky frog who escaped the ravages of the JCB bucket but this one survived a close encounter from a curious pair of Berners. Dotty Woozer and Spotty look on in fascination as the amphibian escapes. Note the Berner annex now has windows! One step closer to completion!

Mum and Dad

Rocky and Reba watching the kids in the yard today.

In the thick of it!

I got mixed up with a rough and tumble today. They play for hours then eat then sleep. Its a great life!

My new favourite toy

A quick snap of Spot rearranging the plumbing at Rock HQ, his new favourite toy 20metres of 20mm water pipe.

Deep thought

Rocky keeping an eye on the goings on in the yard.

Spot the dog

There he is!!

Scary rag at Rock HQ

This is Reba our everso brave Berner investigating a strange but scary blue rag turned up by the digger. You might also note that Rocky is a bit two tone, he hasn't suddenly aged and gone grey, no, he has "helped" me with the decorating by leaning on freshly painted walls when I left the room. Twice. Bless him.

Bliss

Bliss taking a breather on our walk today

Flash Bear

This is Flash, who became Bear and went to live in Ireland. Berner puppies are so cute.

Rocky

Looking pleased with himself in the garden. He and Reba have sorted put who does what to whom so hopefully we may hear the patter of tiny paws the start of April. Watch this space!