Sawyer The Berner

Ice Wine Festival, Niagara, Ontario

2012-01-28T12:23:00.001-05:00

Last weekend, we took Sawyer along for a little excursion to Niagara-on-the-Lake to case out the annual Ice Wine Festival. What a superb way to experience the delicate & ultra-sweet flavour of Ontario ice wine.

Our first stop was the Chateau des Charmes winery on the outskirts of town. Sawyer needed to stretch and have a romp in fresh snow. While Papa W popped in the winery to stock up on a 2008 Gewürztraminer and an estate bottled 2007 late harvest Riesling, Sawyer and I explored the vineyards backing on to the winery.

Mommy's favorite grape!

We ended our adventure by visiting Southbrook Vineyards. Sawyer was content staying in the car while we explored the choices of wines. This minimalistic wine boutique offered three unique ice wine tastings for a nominal fee of $3. For $10, one could pare the tasting with a fresh ice wine whipped in ricotta cheese in a cannoli... How decadent! We treated ourselves to a bottle of 2005 Vidal ice wine which is temptingly chilling in the fridge as we blog....hmmm

A Berner Christmas

2012-01-04T11:50:00.000-05:00

We're a little late for this post, our excuse being that Sawyer was away enjoying New Years with his foster family in the Haliburtons (stay turned for that blog!)

Sawyer thoroughly enjoyed his Christmas - let the photos speak for themselves.

(they made me wear this...geesh!)

(WOW Santa, for ME?)

Lazing on the porch after an amazing ground lamb Christmas dinner. Thank you Santa!

Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noel!

2011-12-24T11:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks to MJ's efforts, Sawyer reluctantly wore his little elf hat for the photo shoot. It helps having pinned him down after a gruelling day playing at the leash-free park and romping on the trails with Hurley and SC. Good boy, Sawyer... you have been good for Santa!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Sawyer, W, TJ, MJ & S

Christmas 2011

2011-12-22T13:12:00.002-05:00

Thanks to W's efforts, we managed to acquire a lovely Christmas tree for the living room. Last year we passed on that idea, since Sawyer was still a rambunctious puppy. However, this year, under our watchful eyes, we managed to set & dress the tree with very few incidents. Sawyer didn't seem at all interested in it until he spotted a few plush "mini-teddy" ornaments, which by the way are sacred creatures in MJ's mind. When we weren't looking, Sawyer delicately plucked "mini-teddy" from a limb and proceeded to mouth the little "stuffy". Thankfully, MJ managed to save "mini-teddy"!

We did have some fun with him, dressing him with beaded garlands and teasing him with ornaments. Once he had had enough, he reciprocated and ripped a couple of our cardboard ornament boxes. No worries, it all ended well. He had fun (so did we) and our tree is still standing today!

(Really...you're going to make me wear this?)

(MJ proud of her decorating abilities)

(*sniff, sniff* - is this eatable?)

(Hmmm, yup I like that ornament)

(uhhh, nope, pass on that one!)

(Pfffeww, a well-deserved nap)

Merry Christmas everyone and wishing you all good health, fortune and happiness!

Santa Knows Whose Been Naughty...

2011-12-11T14:50:00.001-05:00

What happens when Sawyer's loving parents leave him unattended to indulge in some holiday cheer with good friends & awesome food? Take a look:

We rolled into the house around 12:15 a.m. to a warm, enthusiastic greeting from Sawyer...how lovely...until we notice a mess on the area carpets in the dining/living room areas. The little devil (AKA Sawyer) managed to reach for a 1kg bag of fresh spelt flour from the counter and apparently attempted to drag it to his favorite couch. We suspect the bag burst before he reached his beloved destination, leaving a lovely white mess. On further inspection, we noticed the paper bag holding the flour, as well as a zip-lock bag (which we suspect he dragged out of the garbage can) and a fresh roll of clean paper towels were torn/ripped/wet and strewn all over our floors & carpets. *SIGH*

Think Sawyer was a little miffed with us & trying to teach us a lesson??! Can't wait 'til MJ returns home for the holidays!

Cake for Grandpa's 80th

2011-11-26T15:01:00.001-05:00

In preparation for my father's 80th birthday party, baking his favorite chocolate mocha cake was my responsibility. MJ assembled the ingredients: melted dark chocolate, sour cream, flour, creamed butter and loads of white sugar. Sawyer kept us company in the kitchen, acting as our personal food tester, floor sweeper, and butter snatcher.

Yes, when we turned our backs, Sawyer swiftly managed to lick the butter dish. No worries folks, we discarded any trace of the remaining butter before it ended up on someone's morning toast.

Cake came out of the oven and we promptly placed it on the cooling rack, on top of the fridge.

Most of you ladies will understand the concept of multi-tasking: I rested the cakes on the back counter with the intention of removing them from the pans but between preparing a photo collage for the party, making a card and sneaking in a nap, I completely forgot about the cakes....then I heard an explosive outbursts from MJ, "SAWYER! WHAT DID YOU DO? OMG!!" Well, so much for the nap, I ran into the kitchen to find Sawyer sheepishly looking at us, while MJ pointed to the cakes.

Sawyer managed to reach the cake and scarfed down the spongy, tender centre of the cake. No part of this cake could be salvaged. We now know Sawyer loves chocolate mocha cake as much as Grandpa does! We felt defeated and so did Sawyer...

Having run out of the key ingredients to bake another cake, I desperately scrounged the pantry for a cake mix...BINGO! A box of gluten-free chocolate cake mix - not quite the same caliber as my homemade cake but it would pass for a "real" cake....almost.

Once baked, the g-free cakes resembled burnt pancakes. Such was my luck that day. However, nothing a hefty load of butter icing couldn't cover up! Tadda...

Folks, that was the tip of the iceberg... later, while leaving Sawyer unattended again to do some other household chores, I returned to find my apron and a powdery substance on the floor. Pondering, I was racking my brain to determine what I had left out and sure enough the light bulb went on: BAKING SODA BOX! Oh, where was the box? I had stored the flour safely away but couldn't find the new box of No-name baking soda.....until I looked over to "Sawyer's" couch....there was the evidence on my lovely black leather couch....OH SAWYER! He managed to drag the box to his couch, without leaving a trail from the kitchen to the living room. Thankfully, the contents were not to his liking and proceeded to leave it there for me to clean up...sigh

Between those two incidents, having eaten a 1/4 cup of butter in the foil, and his hole-digging antics in the backyard, I was ready to park him on the front porch with a sign saying: "FREE TO A GOOD HOME".....kidding!

You Know You're Having a Bad Day When....

2011-10-24T07:30:00.000-04:00

They made me wear this stupid birthday hat...

I get humped by a 3-legged dog...

(there's my 3-legged hound friend)

my friend, Hurley, is coerced into wearing an angel costume....(I feel your pain man)

these beauties had to parade the streets when they'd rather be hunting wabbits....

I could never catch this gorgeous blond....

they won't let me get a nose-job....

MJ made me wear a Lunateer t-shirt...

Ok, I was actually enjoying this belly rub...

until MJ decides to wrestle with me...

leaving me completely exposed and vulnerable to the world...

so, I just submitted...to her snuggles and kisses....actually that wasn't so bad after all!

Then, I was having a great time with my swimming buddy, until my masters decided it was time to leave....

so, I took my sweet time, laid my pristine white belly down in the dirt...

I rolled, and rolled and rolled some more....

and I ground that red clay deep into my fur and pores...

Humph! Got you back Mom, Dad, MJ & TJ!

Adirondacks - Part 4

2011-10-23T19:51:00.000-04:00

Just realized we had forgotten to share Sawyer's adventure on Whiteface Mountain, NY this past September. Although we call ourselves "hikers", we were not willing to sacrifice our legs, nor our sanity, to climb 3,400+ feet when we could opt to relax in our vehicle while driving up the mountain; which only left us a mere 100 foot climb to the summit....yes, much easier...

(the drive up)

(Sawyer enjoying a dip & drink on the way up)

(almost at the top)

(Sawyer enjoying the view)

(magnificent view of Lake Placid in the distance)

(slippery climb to the top...hang on to those railings!)

(view from the summit)

(the summit)

Whiteface Castle

(the boys contemplating life at the top)

(meeting dogs on the descent)

What can I say: A man in a kilt, standing on the summit, holding his beloved American flag...God Bless America!

River & Ruin with Family

2011-10-16T21:51:00.000-04:00

Although the weather was questionable today, nothing stopped us from another favorite hike on the River & Ruin trail.

This hike was especially memorable as we were blessed with the presence of Sawyer's uncle & aunt (AKA Mrs & Mrs O) and his cousin, Guinness or Guin, for short. Considering the two dogs had only just met, they got along famously. Guin is a beautiful rescue dog from Louisiana, being part Catahoula Leopard (Louisiana State Dog) & Australian Sheppard. He made his grand appearance sporting a colourful bandanna. Guin had boundless energy, and enjoyed exploring off-trail, chasing local critters, and keeping Sawyer in check!

(Guinness)

(Mr. O & Guinness)

(W & Sawyer)

River & Ruin is one of our favorite walks, affording hikers & canine friends varied terrain, views, and a beautiful river to wade in.

Sometime ago, I received an email from surfer_chic who filled me in on some the ruin's history. The "ruin" was in fact, a farmhouse adorned with a wrap-around porch facing the river below. Apparently, the lower fields, below the blue side-trail, was a horse pasture, while the upper portions were used for crops.

To this day, many apples and pear trees remain in the area. The side-trail was in fact, their dirt road leading them by horse & buggy to Guelph Line, where they ran errands at the General Store (now The Bistro in Lowville, ON). I would love to see a photograph of the original house.

Sawyer and family did enjoy their morning and look forward to many more hikes with Cousin Guin!

Adirondacks Vacation - Part 3

2011-10-02T10:03:00.000-04:00

Sawyer's attempt to descend the old fire tower on Cathedral Rock, Cranberry Lake region, NY. It took us a good 5 minutes to coax him down. This video captures the last 30 seconds.

Adirondacks Vacation - Part 2

2011-09-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

The highlight of this vacation was the abundance of hiking trails. We chose to remain in the Cranberry Lake region and successfully completed 5 hikes: Bear Mountain, Copper Falls, Rainbow Falls, Cathedral Rock and Silver Lake - the longest being Bear Mountain.

Bear Mountain

- The Ascent -

(Geological marker at the top of Bear Mountain)

- The Descent -

Camping shelters commonly found on the trails - first come, first serve.

Copper Rock Falls

Rainbow Falls

Cathedral Rock

This trail was located on the Ranger school property. Apparently former Rangers were married at the top of this mountain, thus the name Cathedral Rock. At the top of this hike, was a fire tower giving us a magnificent view of the Cranberry Lake region.

We found this hand-carved cathedral sculpture sitting on the trail!

Sawyer couldn't resist a nibble.

"Are we there yet?"

Sawyer climbed after W but soon realized he was terrified of the descent!

"Whose idea was it to climb this friggin' tower? I give up!"

"Please carry me Daddy....PLEASE?!!!"

With much coaxing. Sawyer eventually made it down. Whatever possessed him to climb in the first place?!

Silver Lake

Adirondacks Vacation - Part 1

2011-09-22T10:19:00.002-04:00

Hello All! Sawyer is back from his first vacation away from home. We decided to share our 25th wedding anniversary with our beloved Sawyer in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York.

Sawyer behaved admirably well during the long car ride. W arranged for Sawyer to have full access to the back seat area, allowing him to stretch out and sleep. However, he preferred the front passenger seat advantage, on my lap or between us! Keep in mind, we are talking about a 100+ lbs dog!

Our modest, cozy cottage was situated on Silver Lake, on a quiet road, in the Cranberry Lake region. The dock and "cocktail deck" were nestled in a secluded forested area, giving us much-needed peace & solitude. This was one of Sawyer's favorite haunts. He kept busy attempting to haul water-logged branches and logs out of the water onto dry land, eventually building up a private stash. Throwing his "logs" back in the water kept him occupied and tired out.

We were blessed with excellent weather. Blue skies, warm days and cool nights. Thankfully the cottage was equipped with a rowboat, therefore allowing us to include Sawyer on our little rowing expedition on the lake. It took a good 5 minutes to convince him to hop in the boat. He just wasn't sure what to make of this contraption. Eventually we launched off, with W rowing and myself to control Sawyer from tipping the boat. He was very restless trotting from side to side, while I was counterbalancing the weight on the boat! Needless to say, once rowboat trip was enough for both of us!

Stay-tuned for more Sawyer adventures!

In Memory of Dakota & Roxy

2011-08-17T17:41:00.001-04:00

Dakota

Recently, Sawyer lost two dear canine friends: JG's precious Newfoundlander, Dakota - a true gentle giant who also captured MJ's heart, and our neighbour's Golden Doodle, Roxy, who greeted Sawyer every morning at the fence-line with her energetic bark. Both dogs passed far too soon but will always be remembered.

Jimmy Stewart appeared on the Johnny Carson show in 1981 and recited a poem he wrote for his dearly departed dog, Beau. Click on the YouTube link below. For the record Sawyer's Mommy had a good cry after listening to this clip... our hearts go out to both families.

Swimming 101

2011-07-18T21:55:00.003-04:00

Rejoice! Mr. Sawyer has finally taken the plunge (pun intended) and mastered the dog-paddle. With yesterday's extreme heat, a trip to the Hamilton beach was warranted. Sawyer had no idea what we had in store for him, as we were packing up the vehicle. Once at the beach, there was no turning back.

We were relieved to see half a dozen other dogs wading in the water or chasing after their prized fluorescent balls. It was safe to let him off-leash. Off he went. Mr. I-Love-To-Network-With-Every-Dog-in-Sight Sawyer is definitely not a shy dog. He met three beautiful retrievers (tried stealing their balls), another Berner (with a haircut, who had absolutely NO interest in Sawyer) and a number of other mixed breeds. Some were more receptive to his advances, while others blatantly told him off.

(networking with his friends)

MJ was very determined to teach Sawyer to swim once and for all, and never gave up. She coaxed him with sticks and lots of encouragement. Finally after half an hour standing in the water, our boy finally paddled over to her. Way to go girl! Although MJ maintained that he was cheating by allowing his back paws to touch bottom while paddling to his destination. It was a joyous moment for us, as well as other bystanders who joined in on the cheers.

Bravo Sawyer, you've earned your Level 1 swimming badge!

(splashing about)

(standing on your back paws, eh?!)

(almost there Sawyer!)

(Hanging on tight to mom!)

(hey, someone needs to teach that dog to cut back on the splashing!)

(After a good swim, Mr. Sawyer just had to roll in the sand, then shake the excess all over me....sigh!)

Patio

2011-07-05T13:14:00.000-04:00

Some time ago, W laid down a little vintage brick patio along the shaded fence-line for Sawyer to enjoy on hot days. It was also designed to keep him somewhat cleaner, rather than lie in the mud. This past weekend, W embellished Sawyer's pad with a driftwood sign using a lovely, worn plank found on the shores of Lake Erie. Great job W!

WARNING!!

2011-07-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

Due to the somewhat-sensitive nature of this blog entry, children and anyone sensitive to animal cruelty, may find the contents of this entry upsetting. Please be forewarned.

Sawyer made a new discovery in our backyard this morning. I noticed a lot of sniffing & earth digging behind my prized Zebra grass.

(guarding his "stash" behind the Zebra grass)

He appeared very focused on his mission. Putting my knitting aside to investigate , I walked over to explore. Before I knew it, I heard a squeaky sound emitting from his mouth as he ran away from me. I was chasing him through the yard like a psychotic puppy mommy, begging him to "drop-it!!". When he finally released his "squeeker", I realized with horror he had captured two baby bunnies! They were a mere days' old and had not opened their wee little eyes. Both little bunnies fell to the ground when Sawyer realized I meant business.

(trying to hide from Sawyer)

Although I was appalled at Sawyer's lack of remorse, I had to accept that animal instinct & curiosity kicked in. His sense of smell was remarkable and once he snagged a bunny or two, he merely used them as play toys to paw or to pounce on, not meaning to harm them. The "squeaky" sound emitted by the bunnies made it that much more fun for Sawyer. I observed him rolling on the grass with joy, after he elicited a reaction from the bunnies.

(the survivor)

I was very concerned that while Sawyer is on a raw meat diet, he may have considered them as tasty appetizers. Thankfully, once they stopped emitting any noise, he soon lost interest and ready to snatch another one!

Sadly, one bunny didn't survive his journey on this planet, but I managed to save the rest.

(Poor little bunny....)

(Determined to get at those bunnies again!)

They are now all cozied up back in their warren awaiting their mom's arrival. With a little creativity I rigged up a pathetic fence to deter Sawyer from raiding the den once again, using twine, metal poles , sticks, a little chicken wire & the existing fence. Will it keep Sawyer out? Not likely, which is why we are taking turns supervising the little rascal.

(Awww, mom! You ruined my fun!)

At this point, we are thankful he didn't raid a skunk or porcupine nest!!

New Pictures of Sawyer

2011-06-19T15:59:00.000-04:00

Ready for the beach!

Nap time on his couch

getting in the way of our gardening project

Apparently prefers sleeping on freshly turned soil

Pretty boy

Taken ownership of our garden!

new bed

snuggling on bed with MJ

new bed now used as a humping toy!

napping in the garden

Toronto Woofstock 2011

2011-06-18T15:39:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, W and I enjoyed a decadent high tea at the Royal Edward Hotel, without Sawyer. According to the waitress, the Royal Eddie hosts a high tea where dogs compete in a celebrity look-alike contest. That's right. High tea for dogs. Somehow I can't imagine Sawyer sitting politely waiting for his cuppa Earl Grey and bacon-flavoured scones with a smattering of fresh ground peanut butter! Naw... He would much rather sniff every little canine derrieres!

Although Sawyer wasn't with us for this outing, W and I managed to enjoy the sights and all the beautiful dogs. This is an event not to be missed by dog-lovers. There were dogs everywhere: sheeshee/poopoo dogs in strollers, wee ones in back-packs, some in arms, some dressed-up, some in carrying cases, some in tow, some being dragged to and fro, while some chose to swim, some gorged on free snacks and others posed gracefully for the camera (see poodle below). Here's a sampling of our day:

Tibetan Mastiff

After speaking to this BMD owner, we caved and bought the same coat for Sawyer. It's a cooling coat by www.mustluvdogs.ca, giving him energy to walk on hot days. Fabulous concept and Sawyer loves it!

Happy 1st Birthday, Sawyer!

2011-06-03T06:35:00.000-04:00

May 30th was officially Sawyer's first birthday and Miss MJ felt compelled to celebrate the event. Sawyer temporarily sported a blue crown which lasted a mere seconds before he used it as a tug toy, ripping it to bits.

We agreed to serve a special meal for his birthday so W meticulously deboned two t-bone steaks, leaving the bones (with some meat attached) for Sawyer to savour. Sawyer seemed quite delighted with his candlelit dinner, followed by a delicious dessert concoction of peanut butter rolled in sunflower seeds & buffalo liver treats (contact MJ for the recipe). He managed to finish one whole t-bone and part of the second one, perhaps saving his appetite for birthday cake!

We ended the evening by presenting him with a gift bag full of newspapers and a couple of new squeaky toys. The bag & newspapers were a terrific hit with Sawyer. The squeakers were the next best toys. He amused himself shredding the paper and tearing the bag apart all over the yard. I think our 1-yr old pup had a fine evening with loved ones...

Blessed rain...

2011-05-19T10:35:00.000-04:00

We have been blessed with incessant amounts of rain this year. I'm trying to be as indifferent to the cold and rainy days as Sawyer appears to be. It's really just another day for our canine companions (as it should be for us) and life goes on.

When the Bruce Trail is terribly muddy, we resort to neighbourhood and beach walks. Again Sawyer is fortunate to have such varied of terrain close to home. Recently, we walked on the Hamilton side of the beach. It's lovely if you can ignore the hydro towers and the Skyway traffic noise. However, none of these bothered our boy. We enjoyed a peaceful walk alone on the beach, listening to the waves crashing. Unfortunately most of the beach was under water and the sandy banks were quickly being eroded by the waves, leaving a trail of debris and driftwood. All the more fun for Sawyer as he chased sticks in the water and sniffed his way amongst the native beach grasses. We found an unusual amount of whole coconuts amongst the debris and Sawyer enjoyed chasing them or chewing on the shell.

Near the end of our walk, Sawyer laid down and busily gnawed on a coconut, while I paused to thank my lucky stars for the magnificent surrounding and for our precious boy, Sawyer.

Backyard Entertainment

2011-05-04T14:39:00.000-04:00

Sawyer was not interested in our campfire so he chose to amuse himself in other ways...

Campfire...shhhhh

2011-05-01T16:54:00.000-04:00

I've been told by MJ a new blog was long overdue. This one is dedicated to you, honey.

Sawyer is one month shy of his 1st birthday. He continues to grow, mature and test our patience. We regularly expose him to new experiences, each one having various results. Last night, W built an inviting little backyard fire (shhhhhh....), using the Sawyer's branch stockpile collected on his daily walks. In fact we had so many sticks, had we the talent & imagination, we could have constructed a lovely canine log cabin!

In no time, a roaring hot fire was warming us, perfect for roasting marshmallows or a good Angus-quality steak, both of which Sawyer would have keenly indulged in. MJ and our "second daughter", K, joined us for a chilled glass of Gewurzt and Pinot Grigio, chatting around the campfire... thankfully no one broke into a chorus of campfire songs. Sawyer cautiously pranced around the fire pit, only once getting close enough to singe his whiskers, but didn't. He chose to distance himself from the fire & smoke, choosing to roll in the grass, snuggle up to the girls, steal W's firewood and attempt to sneak a sip of wine (not to mention indulge in a marshmallow or two when MJ thought I wasn't looking *wink*).

Eventually the girls abandoned us for the night-life in the burbs, leaving W, Sawyer & I to relax, chat and allow the flames to entrance us. Not sure Sawyer would classify last night's campfire as his #1 activity, nonetheless, we all enjoyed a quiet evening outdoors.

(Sawyer attentive to K's instructions)

(Sawyer with Mom & Dad)

(MJ and I enjoyed the wine while Sawyer & K abstained!)

(the log thief)

(enough of the outdoor experience)

Bruce Trail - Fisher Pond

2011-04-10T10:09:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a splendid morning for a hike on the Bruce Trail beginning at Guelph Line, heading west towards Cedar Springs Rd. Although it was a serene atmosphere, walking along the well-worn muddy trail, few people in sight, Sawyer whimpered most of the way. He missed his hiking buddy Hurley. PF's and my company just wasn't enough to satisfy him!

We allowed him to go off-leash when the coast was clear. He didn't hesitate to run up and down the valleys, explore the numerous creeks, chase a chipmunk and take a little swim in the Fisher Pond. PF and I parked ourselves along the shore of Mr. Fisher's pond, enjoying a snack, while Sawyer enjoyed exploring the water's edge.

(Fisher Pond in February - Sawyer & Hurley on frozen pond)

Three hours later, the three of us were covered in mud, fatigued and looking forward to heading home.

(Patiently waiting for us to catch up)

(smiling Sawyer & PF)

(Where's Sawyer?!)

(Sawyer & "mommy")

When MJ's Away, the Pup Will Play....

2011-03-19T11:31:00.000-04:00

Sawyer dearly loves his "sister" MJ and just couldn't get enough of her when she left as quickly as she arrived. He relished a little play time sprawled on her duvet and enjoyed a good wrestle with her pj's. Our little monkey!

Raging hormones... or mischief?

2011-03-05T11:20:00.000-05:00

A little episode of frustration led to a shredded blanket, strewn all over the living room!

Hmm, let's see what treats I can find in the bathroom litter basket!

Awww, but Mom, I really love this towel...

Catch me... if you can! (Buddy & Sawyer)

Victory! I managed to jump on Mom & Dad's bed and snuggling Mom's clothing.

I don't know how that empty jar of peanut butter got on the couch... honestly!

Puppy Training

2011-03-04T11:53:00.000-05:00

We've enlisted ourselves in yet another set of puppy training classes. We realized early on, that Sawyer's Mom & Dad were in desperate need of training, thus our 2nd attempt at Grade 1 at McCann Professional Dog Trainers. This time around, hubby is the trainer while I act as the cheerleader/photographer/observer.

Sawyer is very obedient in class, in fact, on several occasions the instructor had to encourage him to wake up. Perhaps he feels he's beyond training, bored, or simply tired. Other than that, he's a good trooper. Thankfully the school encourages the use of treats as a training tool, and Sawyer is DEFINITELY food driven.

I've relished the role of observer as it allows me the time to admire all the cute puppies and their antics. Sawyer's class of 15 dogs includes several Labs, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, a Hound, a German Shepherd and Poodle mixes. Sadly, canine interaction during the class is not permitted, understandably so; however, for just one minute, wouldn't it be fun to let the dogs go off-leash? I can see the chaos right now ....

Animazing!

2011-03-02T15:50:00.000-05:00

Sawyer-man was recently given the ultimate canine spa treatment at Animazing in Burlington. No line ups on this day. We walked in after a long muddy walk to be greeted by friendly staff. With a little prodding & several yummy treats, Sawyer gingerly climbed up the platform for something he surely would not have consented to had he known in advance!

The staff were experience and related to Sawyer beautifully. In fact, Sawyer was actually dishing out free kisses. The bathing was not a problem but he was not overly fond of the blow-dryer, nor having someone playing with his paws. In the end he behaved quite well.

Valentines Puppy Love

2011-02-16T11:01:00.000-05:00

Hubby surprised Sawyer with a special Valentines. He gave the boy a stuffed Golden Retriever, rather than chocolate. Sawyer didn't waste time acquainting himself with "Goldie" and in no time was dominating this submissive female. Although, we are unclear whether ripping ones snout, ear and tongue off indicates domination, ecstasy or shear aggression! Sadly, after a mere 5 minutes' play time, Goldie had to be put to rest!

Snuggly Sawyer-Doodle-Bug

2011-02-10T09:34:00.000-05:00

There's nothing better than hibernating in a warm home on a frigid Canadian winter night.

This past weekend, W and I settled in to watch a little tellie while Sawyer was busy socializing through the fence in the backyard with his canine neighbours: Roxy, Einstein, Carmi and Meggie. They were happily running back 'n forth along the fence line and having a grand old time. A half hour later, Mr. Sawyer-Doodle-Bug had had enough and was ready to settle in with us. It was W's turn to be the "doorman" while I lounged on the couch.

In comes the boy covered in snow, barreling full speed for his favourite couch .... the one I'm lying on. No problem he says, two of us can squeeze onto a love seat! And we did... nothing like a 90+ pound dog sitting on you! In no time, he settled in and fell fast asleep on my lap. A precious moment it was...

Snow Dog

2011-01-26T11:28:00.000-05:00

I've realized that Sawyer is the perfect dog for a snow-loving gal, like myself! I so enjoy watching him romp, roll and eat the white stuff. Let's hope for a long snowy winter..

Hurley

2011-01-15T17:36:00.000-05:00

This post is dedicated to Sawyer's best buddy Hurley, a two-year old Berner, and my "goddog". I've known him for over a year, and have tagged along on a number of pleasant walks with 'SC', albeit at the risk of losing a limb while being dragged down a slippery slope by a 100+ lbs. dog had I not released my hold on his leash...honestly, he IS a gentle giant. He just, as does this breed, has a strong penchant for pulling, be it a cart or a human. I do love you Hurley ;-)

I must say Hurley has been a good trooper, and a good role model in Sawyer's presence. These two love a good wrestle in a field, forest, creek, snow, mud,...well just about anywhere! This video portraits a typical play date.

Leash-free park

2011-01-11T22:06:00.001-05:00

(W.A.G. Park, Burlington)

It's a rather stormy night in the greater Toronto area and a good time to catch up on Sawyer's blog.

Sawyer-Doodle-Bug endured his third visit to the vet today. After a thorough examination and a weigh-in at 79.2 lbs, Dr. Linda gave him a clean bill of health. Not surprising, as he continues to thrive on his raw diet, loves his exercise and gets more than enough loving.

Speaking of exercise, we've recently introduced Sawyer to leash-free parks. We are fortunate to have two in close proximity to our home. Both parks were fully enclosed, with shelters for the owners to huddle under during inclement weather while sipping their daily dose of "Tim's".

Before entering the park, I chose to walk the boy on the outside perimeter of the park to allow both of us time to acclimatize to our new surroundings and to gauge the chemistry within the park. All looked civil and friendly. We entered, with a little trepidation (for me, anyways), but in no time, Sawyer was soon befriended by a lovely pack of dogs. Thus the beginning of a new love for Sawyer. He was off like the wind, attempting to keep up to the Weimeraners, Labradors Retrievers and numerous mixed breeds. We stayed long enough for Sawyer to socialize, exercise and be a dog. We'll let the video speak for itself....

Yogurt

2011-01-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Sawyer survived the Holidays with flying colours. Although we forfeited the natural Christmas tree this year, the table-top version suited us just fine in light of the addition of a new puppy. Until Sawyer-Monkey knows not to break off branches and gnaw on the bark, the table-top will remain. I can just imagine a dissected natural Christmas tree, strewn about the house, broken keepsake ornaments in pieces or better yet, ingested by Sawyer....something out of a horror flick!

Anyways, a few days ago, we treated 'Monkey' (MJ's new nickname) to an empty yogurt container. Only the best for our boy, as he enjoyed licking the inside of an Organic Meadows No Fat Plain Yogurt container (no, this is not an infomercial but one of my favorite natural yogurts!) It was entertaining to watch him get every last drop. The game ended when 'Monkey' decided to shred the container to bite-size pieces...not a recommended dog treat!

(hope this isn't a permanent fixture)

(Hmm, if only I could reach that last drop on my snout)

(this is exhausting work!)

Farewell 2010, Greetings 2011!

2011-01-01T12:13:00.001-05:00

Another year comes to a close yet...a time to reflect....but I'll spare you all those details.

Sawyer's mom spent the last day of 2010 in the company of dear high school friends, savouring a delicious breakfast of mandarin mimosas, croissants & gluten-free bread with a variety of pates & preserves...yum. TJ & MJ were enjoying one last sleep-in, building up their energy for a full-out evening of partying & toasting in the New Year, and hubby was kindly minding Sawyer while the Henkell Trocken was chilling in the fridge.

Later that afternoon, Sawyer was treated to another hike with his buddy Hurley on the Bruce Trail. Although we were blessed with a balmy 10C weather, the previously snowy trails were transformed into a quagmire of muck & decomposing organic matter. This did not deter the 'boys' - they had a blast tearing up and down the trails (off leash might I add) kicking up as much mud as one can imagine. On occasion they both stopped dead in their tracks to assure themselves that SC and I hadn't gotten lost along the way, then proceeded to explore further on.

An hour later, all four of us were covered head to toe/tail in mud.

(one dirty dog)

The dogs seemed to have unlimited levels of energy. Reluctantly, we parted ways and wished each other a happy new year. Sawyer had to be bribed with a treat to hop in the car and once again to exit the car upon arrival at home.

(Refusing to budge)

Once out, he sauntered up the steps and assumed his favorite position on the porch for a power nap.

....Later that evening after a night of partying, Sawyer the Berner finally settled for a dream-filled sleep, while we rang in the New Year. (ok you animal activists, no harm was done to Sawyer, nor was he forced to drink this wine... but really, I couldn't resist the opportunity for this photo op!)

Happy New Year to all our family, friends and acquaintances!

Memory Lane

2010-12-26T21:08:00.000-05:00

It's a quiet evening, Sawyer is fast asleep on the floor, while the rest of the family members are quietly absorbed with their Christmas gifts. I chose to stroll down memory-lane, viewing photos of Sawyer-Doodle-Bug and post a series of random photos of him. Sigh...how quickly he has grown.

lounging in the kitchen - Aug/10

my baby... aug/10

playing peek-a-boo in front garden - sept/10

aborted attempt to descend the stairs - Oct/10

with his harem - Nov/10

Lasalle Pk - Nov/10

Sawyer admiring his 'godmother' SC & Hurley - Dec/10

Sawyer & I cuddling in his GIGANTIC crate - Dec/10

First Christmas

2010-12-25T12:34:00.001-05:00

Sawyer's first Christmas was full of excitement, treats and delight! It all started with a 6:30 am wake up call, followed by a delicious breakfast and a refreshing walk. That just wasn't enough for Sawyer-Doodles, he felt compelled to share his Christmas joy with the remaining sleeping family members. MJ was a great trooper getting up at the crack of dawn, followed by Mom and TJ trailing behind.

The festivities began with fresh berry salad, yogurt and orange juice. Papa prepared a delicious pot of fair-trade coffee, with a generous shot of mocha-flavoured Kahlua... nice little kick-start to the day! With a little food in our bellies, we proceeded to the gift-giving. MJ's strategy of giving Sawyer his gift first ( scrumptious doggy candy cane) bought us some time to open our gifts and to put on our goofiest faces.

Although we did not share our delicious eggs Benedict (accompanied with Brie, bacon & asparagus) with Sawyer, he did find a way to find a few delicious morsels on the counter. Sawyer is, nonetheless, a very clever and resourceful dog and will most certainly never go hungry in our household!

From Sawyer and his faithful & loving family, we wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND JOYEUX NOEL A TOUS!

Cuddling

2010-12-23T12:00:00.001-05:00

JOY! Big sister MJ is home from school and Sawyer couldn't be happier. He regards MJ as his den mate, playmate and life-size chew toy! After a full day playing together, a cuddle on the couch is well deserved.

Bruce Trail - Waterdown

2010-12-18T10:04:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, TJ, Sawyer and I attempted another portion of the Bruce Trail, starting on the west side of Hwy 6 (parking at Old Guelph Rd) and heading east towards Waterdown. Although this trail begins in a noisy high-traffic area, the trail afforded us with interesting sights, one of which was the ruin of yet another old homestead (rusty trike included).

Sawyer was quite keen to explore the ruins but more interested in the smells. He continues to attempt to remove his gentle leader allowing him control over our walk (NOT!). However, being the softies that we are, we allowed him 5 minutes gentle-leader-free before TJ begged me to put it back on.

This short trail begins through a tunnel going under Hwy 6, then proceeds up cement steps leading to the old homestead, then meanders through the woods, along a rocky trail along the escarpment. We passed by an outcrop of old rusty metal buckets & barrels, which I believe was an old garbage dump. Having a fascination with the past, I had to rummage through the debris of broken pottery, glass and even old shoe leather, letting my imagination go to yesteryear.

We turned around once we reached the old quarry. Sawyer-Doodle-Bugs (his latest nickname) had had enough and welcomed the warm, cozy back seat of our car. As they say, a tired dog is a good dog!

In search of snow in Ontario...

2010-12-10T12:07:00.001-05:00

Earlier this week, Sawyer and I drove towards Niagara Falls in search for a glimpse of snow. I just wanted Boy Wonder to have a good romp in the white stuff. Call me crazy, but having originated from La Belle Province, I learned to love and appreciate a good snowfall. Seems that many surrounding communities have recently been hammered by hefty snowfalls, leaving us with bare asphalt. Argh!

East Dell Winery

After a 20-minutes drive, I soon realized my wish was not to be. So, off I exit in Beamsville heading up the Niagara Escarpment. I finally parked my car at the East Dell Winery, knowing there were hiking trails in their backyard. Sawyer was keen to get out of the car and off we went, walking on lightly snow-dusted trails. I soon realized we were on a portion of the Bruce Trail, between Mountain and Quarry Roads. This hike offered a view of East Dell vineyards & Heron's Nest cabin, hills, a waterfall, a creek, farmer's fields and a wooded area. Such beauty at our doorstep!

East Dell vineyards, Beamsville, ON (Lake Ontario in distance)

Heron's Nest Cabin, East Dell Winery

Bernese Mountain dog in training!

Whew! End of that hike....

Seventy Pounds of Love

2010-12-08T11:35:00.001-05:00

Just returned from a visit to the vet for a weigh-in... for Sawyer, that is. He was not keen to jump on the scale, but would rather chase the resident cat. However, by placing his favorite treat, Benny Bully's Liver Chops, on the scale, we managed to convince him to stay put for a few seconds. Mission accomplished. Our 6-month old boy weighed in at a hefty 69.4 lbs!! YIKES, we'll have a small horse on our hands in no time!

Christmas in Toronto

2010-12-05T10:21:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a rather cold and overcast day so all five of us (Sawyer included) had a lovely afternoon nap. Nothing like a lazy afternoon.

After a belly full of ribs, sausages and broccoli (Sawyer excluded), we agreed as a family to see the Christmas lights in Toronto. So, off we went with Sawyer loaded in the back of the SUV.

We chose to park underground near the Dundas Square, rather than waste time looking for the non-existent cheap parking. This was Sawyer's first experience underground and in the city. We headed for the stairs but for some reason Sawyer was freaked out and absolutely REFUSED to budge. No amount of treats conned him to move. So, on to plan B: the elevator. Another new experience but we decided to casually enter the elevator and Wonder Boy had no qualms whatsoever. Fooled him one more time!

The city was vibrant with noise, lights & the bustle of people shopping. We walked for an hour exploring the core and soon realized how few patches of grass were available for dogs. Thankfully W knew his way around and soon found a semi-green patch of grass near Ryerson University for Sawyer to frolic in.

MJ & Sawyer in Dundas Square

Then off we walked to the old Simpson's Department store (now the Bay) to enjoy their annual interactive Christmas windows.

On our way to Nathan Philip Square, we met up with a homeless man lying over a warm grate, surrounded with food donations, Tim Horton's cup and a few scattered coins. I approached him and enquired about his well-being. He assured me he was "ok" but "tired" and proceeded to cover himself with a thin blanket and resume his sleep. I left him some coins, in the spirit of Christmas giving and caught up to the family with a heavy heart.

The skating rink in Nathan Philip Square was packed with seasoned and new skaters. There was a beautifully decorated Christmas tree near City Hall which MJ & TJ reluctantly posed for to keep me and my blog happy. Sawyer was less cooperative but appeared to enjoy being in our company. It had been a long time since we'd had a family outing and all agreed it was good for the soul.

First Snowfall

2010-12-01T14:59:00.003-05:00

As you can tell, I'm becoming a fan of Youtube.com. Every opportunity I get, I pull out my handy Canon PowerShot digital camera and try capturing video clips of Sawyer at his best. Youtube offers easy upload features and within minutes, videos are posted for all to see (with the option for your uploads to be private as well). Ok, enough about YT...

This past weekend was such an opportunity, with our first blanket of snow. MJ happened to bless us with her presence and much needed entertainment for Sawyer (or as SusanHC prefers calling him, "Wonder Boy"). Sit back and enjoy Wonder Boy, MJ and the white stuff I cherish!

Tap Dancing with a Pear

2010-11-26T10:24:00.003-05:00

After a full morning playing in the backyard, I gave him a special treat - a fresh pear... not just any pear but an organic Bosch pear. (this dog has a better diet than many humans!) He usually devours this delicacy but for some reason he seemed quite fascinated swatting it over the hardwood flooring. I decided to video tape his interaction with the pear. Check it out.... by the way, he did manage to consume his treat in the end!

Guelph Santa Claus Parade

2010-11-21T16:32:00.002-05:00

Yet another outing for Mr. Sawyer, this time as a spectator at the Guelph Santa Claus Parade. First, we whisked sister MJ away from her studies to catch a bite to eat at the famous Angels restaurant for a very late breakfast, followed by a short walk to downtown Guelph to watch the annual festive procession.

In order to get in the spirit of Christmas, we adorned Sawyer (and MJ too!) with a cute pair of antlers, while Dad modeled his Santa shirt. Sawyer was NOT impressed with us but finally succumbed to the humiliation.

During the parade, we realized that the sound of drums & bagpipes was not Sawyer's cup of tea (not an ounce of Scottish blood in the boy!). He became very agitated and tried to high-tail it out of there. However, MJ soothed him and he reluctantly joined us to watch the various community groups display their festive decorations and costumes.

We stayed long enough to watch big brother TJ perform with the Magnolia Brass Band playing a medley of Christmas jingles. A very proud moment for the whole family.

The adventure ended with a brisk, cold walk back to the car, followed by a cozy warm snooze in the car ride back home. A good day was had by all.

Friends.... and more friends

2010-11-20T07:31:00.002-05:00

It has come to my attention that a few more of Sawyer's friends failed to be mentioned in my previous blog, so here goes:

Sawyer loves to romp around at Lowville Pk with this beautiful blonde, Sophie!

Sophie's new sibling, Charles/Charlie/Henry (apologies to "N"for my poor memory!)

Last but not least, Dakota, the gentle giant, a lovely Newfoundlander.

Mon petit gourmand

2010-11-19T09:41:00.001-05:00

Take a moment to view the following photos...

What do they have in common you say? How do they relate to Sawyer?? Well, yes, they are all gluten-free and most definitely edible. Lately these are foods, carefully prepared by hubby and I, were graciously enjoyed by our lovely Sawyer. Ahh-haa, yup, this puppy is quick as lightening when it comes to unsupervised food on the counter or dining room table. He has managed to gobble down a lovely whole roasted head of garlic laden with butter (and he stunk afterwards), half a banana WITH peel attached, THREE (not ONE) but THREE gluten-free muffins and a failed attempt at a roasted leg of lamb, which hubby rescued in the nick of time.

We do love ya Sawyer...

Friends

2010-11-16T16:49:00.003-05:00

Sawyer seems to make friends easily, be it man or beast. He has yet to befriend any cats or skunks however, does try to greet the neighbourhood squirrels, without success! Although we've posted photos of 4 of Sawyer's friends, there are many more which deserve an honourable mention. Let's start with our two neighbours dogs: Meggie (this girl runs like the wind!) & Karma (most likely weighs no more than 2 lbs. and barks like the devil!), as well as Einstein (a regal Golden Lab from Germany) & Roxy (Golden-doodle). There is also Ben from around the corner, who endured endless hip-checks from Sawyer during their last playtime. We've also met a Berner/Lab cross named Will, Chloe the Lab, Ernie the 12-year old black Lab and many more, whose names escape me.

The following photos are a glimpse at some of Sawyer's canine friends...

(little Sawyer with best buddy, Hurley.... get it, Sawyer & Hurley...from the tv show LOST!)

(Sawyer and let's-call-her-Maggie 'cause I forgot her name. She's a beautiful Berner that we run into on our Sunday morning walks on the beach.)

(Sawyer with little Ben and Jack from up the street)

(Katie the Wheaten Terrier)

Bruce Trail

2010-11-07T12:13:00.001-05:00

Hubby and I ventured on a short portion of the Bruce Trail with Sawyer yesterday. Having only experienced one "wilderness" walk with puppy, I was a concerned that he wouldn't have the stamina to withstand a hike through the woods. He spent the duration of his first hike, two months ago, whining in fear of the unknown. Thankfully he has outgrown this fear.

I've never seen so much enthusiasm in our dog as we did yesterday. This portion of the Bruce Trail near Blind Line & Britannia Rd was quite hilly with narrow muddy trails. It meandered around a creek and eventually led us to a "ruin". I have yet to ascertain the history behind this ruin but will certainly investigate.

Sawyer refused to walk in a civilized manner - he wanted to gallop down the hills and through the woods. At one point, we had to release his leash while carefully stepping our way down a muddy slope. Had we held on to the boy, one of us would have been on our backs trailing behind him! Thankfully, Sawyer knew enough to wait for us once he reached his destination. Guess the puppy training is finally paying off.

Along our way Sawyer discovered several varieties of crab apples and enjoyed a light snack. He enjoyed meeting a couple of dogs along the trail, a Golden Retriever and a St. Bernard. Always an adventure meeting other owners' dogs.

Overall, it was a pleasant hike for all...

... and one tired dog!

Gentle leader...not so gentle

2010-11-02T14:40:00.001-04:00

Lately Sawyer has been taking me for walks which explains the sore elbow I've been experiencing in the past week. At 60 lbs, he is a very strong boy. So, on our trainers recommendation, we are in the process of getting him adjusted to a gentle leader which will deter him from pulling.

NOT an easy task for either one of us. First comes the exhaustive five-minute struggle to adjust the snout harness, while he insists on biting me (it's a game, right?!), then the collar must be buckled snuggly while he furiously attempts to remove the snout harness with his paws which took me, like FOREVER to attach! WHEW! Mission accomplished.....well, not quite. Now he has given up the struggle and decides to flop to the floor. Refuses to move, refuses to look at me and becomes a total dead weight - the dead-dog pose. Arggghhh!

After a few more minutes of prodding, coercing and bribing (with sweat dripping down my brow, I might add), I finally get him up and out on the front porch. By now, he is NOT a happy camper, NOR am I.

He manages to walk a few yards, only to throw himself to the ground (sometimes in a summersault fashion) and attempts to remove the harness yet again. His favorite place to throw a tantrum these days, is in a leaf pile by the curb side, however, any place will do: neighbours lawn, gardens beds and even the middle of the road. What should amount to a 10 minutes walk, now translates to 30 minutes! He sure enjoys the end of his journey. FINALLY, freedom to romp in the backyard without the gentle leader. A happy ending to our less-than-pleasant walk...till next time!

(pawing his harness)

(playing peek-a-boo in leaves)

(dead-dog pose....he's not budging!)

Happy Hallowe'en!

2010-10-31T20:44:00.001-04:00

(designed & carved by TJ)

Sawyer enjoyed a full Hallowe'en day beginning with an early 6 a.m. rise, followed by a romp at Lowville Park, with intermittent naps, a walk through Seneca Ave (famous for it's Hallowe'en decor) , and later savoured delicious pumpkin guts that brother TJ kindly threw at him while carving the pumpkin.

Sawyer didn't understand the 'trick or treat' concept. "Why couldn't I play with every goblin, dinosaur and princesses at my doorstep?" thought Sawyer. Alas, he gave up his futile attempts at a little fun and fell asleep on the floor, by the door, near the brimming candy dish. There was my opportunity to mischievously dress him in his pirate costume, courtesy of MJ. Poor puppy.... just too tired to fight me off. Happy Hallowe'en... and many sweet dreams...

RMB diet for dogs... and cats too!

2010-10-29T10:04:00.004-04:00

Thought we would share some RMB (raw meaty bones) guidelines for dogs & cats, as recommended by Dr. Tom Lonsdale, Veterinary Surgeon in Australia.

Natural foods suitable for pet carnivores

Raw meaty bones

• Chicken and turkey carcasses, after the meat has been removed for human consumption, are suitable for dogs and cats.

• Poultry by-products include: heads, feet, necks and wings.

• Whole fish and fish heads.

• Goat, sheep, calf, deer and kangaroo carcasses can be sawn into large pieces of meat and bone.

• Other by-products include: pigs’ trotters, pigs’ heads, sheep heads, brisket, tail bones, rib bones.

Whole carcasses

• Rats, mice, rabbits, fish, chickens, quail, hens.

Offal

• Liver, lungs, trachea, hearts, omasums (stomach of ruminants), tripe.

(photo courtesy of Moesmeats.com)

Things to avoid

•Excessive meat off the bone — not balanced.

•Excessive vegetables — not balanced.

•Small pieces of bone — can be swallowed whole and get stuck.

•Cooked bones — get stuck.

•Mineral and vitamin additives — create imbalance.

•Processed food — leads to dental and other diseases.

•Excessive starchy food — associated with bloat.

•Onions, garlic and chocolate — toxic to pets.

•Grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants — toxic to pets.

•Fruit stones (pits) and corn cobs — get stuck.

•Milk — associated with diarrhoea. Animals drink it whether thirsty or not and consequently get fat. Milk sludge sticks to teeth and gums.

DID YOU KNOW?: Raw food for cats should always be fresh. Dogs can consume ‘ripe’ food and will sometimes bury bones for later consumption.

Guarding the property

2010-10-26T16:16:00.002-04:00

After an arduous walk & training session this morning, Mr. Sawyer chose to sit on the front lawn, to admire the neighbourhood activity....

Bag-o-Bones

2010-10-24T13:20:00.003-04:00

Decided to post more pics of Sawyer, gnawing away at yet another raw food product called Bag-o-Bones from Northern Naturals . We were advised by our pet store to carefully watch him while he was feasting, to discourage him from dragging a raw bone all over the house, or worse stashing it somewhere "safe" (dog have a natural tendency to want to bury bones)! We chose to feed him outside in our backyard, with supervision of course **!

This beef knuckle is part of a raw food product line provided by Northern Naturals and available at our favorite pet food store, Bones Pet Boutique (sorry, don't mean to sound like an infomercial but am a huge fan of raw for dogs). Raw bones help in maintaining dogs' teeth, by removing plaque, thus eliminating the need for brushing. A half-hour session with the bone is plenty for the first few times, approximately once or twice a week. The bone can be repackaged and refrozen for later.

This is a super treat for dogs and tires them out easily!
**(Warning: Please watch your pet when giving raw bones - like anything, there is always a risk of choking.)

Half hour later....one tired dog!

Lowville Park

2010-10-21T10:44:00.001-04:00

Wednesday was a splendid day for a fall walk. TJ and I took Sawyer for a drive to Lowville Park, with its scenic creek, trails and unofficial leash-free park. Unbeknownst to many folks in the area, there's an annual salmon spawn. We missed the peak but did manage to see three large salmon attempting to make their way upstream. Unfortunately, not all fish are successful in their journey. We saw numerous deceased salmon along the banks but mostly in the water. Sawyer and I waded through the shallow water, trying to keep a firm footing on the slippery rocks. Sawyer being a clever pup, spotted a dead salmon camouflaged amongst the leaves. Eeww! I was not about to touch this decomposing fish with my bare hands. So I try the "drop it" command, to no avail. It only works when I bribe him with food which he happily had. After much proding, begging, yelling, tugging, he finally let go. He was very upset with me for not allowing him an early salmon sushi feast!

Sawyer's #1 fan

2010-10-18T19:51:00.001-04:00

Sawyer has an uncanny ability to attract unsolicited attention during out daily walks. Some days, we can barely walk 5 minutes before admirers of all sizes flock to him. What would normally take 15 minutes, now stretches to 30-45 minutes. At times, we hear the "oohs" and "aawws" from a distance, then a friendly approach, followed by "may we pat your dog?". Before you know it, Sawyer has an entourage of fans petting, cuddling, and offering to adopt him.

Sawyer has also touched the heart of a special friend, 'D'. On a recent visit, 'D' had the opportunity to take Sawyer for a walk with his family and myself in tow. Walking through a lovely forested area, meeting two friendly dogs (3 out of the 5 dog owners we met would not allow ANY social contact with Sawyer for some reason or other - dare I call them snobs or had they failed to properly socialize THEIR dogs??!)

Not sure who had more exercise that day, as Sawyer's strength can be overbearing at times (Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for carting large loads up to 1000 lbs!). Wonder if 'D' can feel his arms today?!

Kissing the asphalt

2010-10-17T15:54:00.003-04:00

Today, Sawyer enjoyed a pleasant walk with a friend and her 3 sons, through a little forested gem smack-dab in suburbia. Although we didn't walk far, Sawyer was exhausted and fell asleep in the trunk of my car.

Upon our return home, I promptly opened the hatch to take him in the house to continue his nap. During a moment of inattention (on my part), Sawyer made an attempt to jump out but instead, proceeded to fall head over heels onto the asphalt! It was actually comical to see his lengthy puppy body twist & turn as he's heading for the asphalt. It all happened so quickly and I just couldn't respond to this plight in a timely manner.

I was in shock for a moment then snapped back to it. What is Sawyer's reaction?? Playing dead on the driveway! Yes, he proceeds to lie on the driveway without moving! Ok, I was starting to panic at this point. Had he broken a limb? or worse, his neck? was he paralyzed? I shook his paw and it was limp....*OMG*, my heart was pounding...my thoughts were racing worrying about vet fees ($$). Since coaxing him to move (with treats) was unsuccessful, I decided to lift this 46+ pound dog and carry him up the porch stairs (he wasn't helping me one bit). Made it up the stairs wondering if my back would hold up. I gently placed him down on the porch to open the front door and what does the little monkey do?? Casually gets up and saunters in the front door and promptly plops himself on the kitchen floor. Flipping little bugger!! (Honestly, I do still love him but he sure gave me a scare!) Moral of that story....take shorter walks lady!

Footprints in the sand

2010-10-15T09:51:00.001-04:00

Sawyer's latest favorite haunt is the local beach, along the shores of Lake Ontario. Although the city has posted numerous signs disallowing dogs on the beach and in the water, as it is a popular beach destination during the summer months, we chose to turn a blind eye (signs? I didn't see any signs!). It was a gloriously sunny morning.

Sawyer sniffed his way from the boardwalk, to the sandy beach and finally to the water's edge. The first few times at the beach, he was in his glory eating the sand, cigarette butts, lake weeds and even fish carcasses. Finally at 4-1/2 months old, he's developed a more discerning palate and now prefers to wait for his gourmet raw meat!

After our walk, trying to keep up to passersby on the boardwalk and dilly-dallying from one bush to another for almost one hour, Sawyer had had enough. He stubbornly planted himself smack-dab on the walkway for a little snooze. However, after much coaxing (and treats), I finally convinced him to walk a mere few meters to the car. Puppy is now sound asleep on the living room floor, no doubt dreaming about his next walk on the beach!

What's for lunch?

2010-10-08T15:36:00.001-04:00

Our family tends to lean towards a healthy diet, consuming antibiotic & hormone-free meats, as well as organic fruit & veggies. By no means was I going to make any compromises on Sawyer's food. I did initially but his digestive track was NOT happy. After much deliberation with our vet, other dog-owners and experts in the field of dog nutrition, a decision was made to switch Sawyer to a balanced diet comprising of raw meats & veggies. A local BMD (Bernese Mountain Dog) breeder apparently feeds her dogs a raw meat diet and her dogs have lived up to 15 years of age - unheard of as most have a short life span ranging from 7-10 yrs. Could the diet make a difference? Time will tell.

Healthy Paws raw meat packages

Sawyer's been enjoying this diet for over two weeks and is thriving. No more digestive issues, or smelly toots! Based on his puppy weight, his breed and his parents' weight, he currently consumes 2 lbs of ground chicken, beef or turkey (with veggies, kelp & fish oil) per day! Lunch time is a little delicacy referred to as fresh chicken spines which are comprised of cartilage, meat & fat. Dogs have a much higher hydrochloric stomach acid allowing them to easily digest meat, bones & cartilage.

Sawyer is one happy little feller these days...

Raw chicken spines

Chomping away.

What! Is that it?!

Gee, thanks for that delicious lunch, mom! *smiling*

Bones are for the dogs

2010-10-01T17:26:00.002-04:00

Sawyer was treated to his first raw beef bone (available from Healthy Paws) as a mid-day meal. I opted to feed him in the backyard, as the thought of having raw meat gracing my floors was more than my stomach could handle! Sawyer was deliriously happy when presented with this delicacy. At first he tentatively licked the bone. After a few minutes, he proceeded to yank it away from me and park himself on his favorite piece of turf, savoring every morsel. An hour later (I kid you not), he was still gnawing away. Realizing that we had to rush off to puppy school, I managed to wrestle the bone away from him! WHEW! No damage done to his ego, I think he's already forgotten about this experience!

Sister MJ

2010-09-30T12:19:00.003-04:00

Sawyer's #1 fan is his dear "sister" MJ. From the day she could speak, she begged us for a dog. Day in & day out....begging, yelling, nagging. However, being the practical parents that we were, having to raise two young children, her request was continuously turned down. We always felt as though we were denying her but truth be told, never having had a dog and caring for kids was a daunting idea. It wasn't until we became empty-nesters (well, almost) that we (rather, I) took the plunge. Honestly, I regretted that decision for a mere week during the wicked "mouthing" stage (some refer to it as the "Cujo" stage). Now, I love him to bits...as does his big "sista"... and not to forget his big brother TJ & Papa W.

Let sleeping dogs lie...

2010-09-28T13:21:00.002-04:00

We get such pleasure watching Sawyer sleep. I love that he can park himself just about anywhere, lush grass, dirt, kitchen floor, front porch, under patio furniture, amongst my flowering shrubs.... the list goes on. Lately his favorite place is in the dirt under the tall evergreen in our backyard, hence the sap adhered to his fine puppy fur! Here is a sampling of his naps...

Birth of a beautiful boy..

2010-09-28T09:43:00.001-04:00

(Sawyer at approx. 9 wks)

May 30, 2010.... the birth of a beautiful male Bernese Mountain Dog. Born in the Laurentians of Quebec, Canada, Sawyer was one of 10 puppies. His mom apparently weighed in around 100 lbs, while dad a whopping 130 lbs!

(Sawyers' parents - courtesy of L. Boyer, breeder)

The timing to purchase a puppy was right for us (rather for me, not so much for other family members!). We found our boy through Kijiji and after much thought and discussion with the breeder, we took the plunge. Sawyer graced our doorstep on August 6th, 2010, a day before our daughter's birthday. She couldn't ask for a better gift!

Upon Sawyer's arrival, he was greeted by his current best buddy, Hurley, another BMD (Bernese Mountain Dog). Hurley showed much restraint and patience with this new puppy and continue a lovely friendship.

(Sawyer & Hurley)

(Sawyer attempting to take Hurley for a walk!)