Nuts I am... yes, I know, completely NUTS...

Its all my secretary's fault really. She is the one who asked me about the SPCA and how to adopt a dog from there. Then she started looking on the website, exclaiming every so often "Oh, just look at that one... he is so cute" or "Ohhhhh Stef, you just have to look at this one. She is gorgeous." I held out for as long as I could, then, it was out of my control... I started to look. Then, I came across this one very handsome guy, and I just couldn't believe how beautiful he was. I sent an email to the lady who runs the shelter (oh- oh, you say) and asked for some info about him. His name is Zorro, he is 2 yrs old, and he is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Collie, and he isn't in Rawdon where the shelter is based but in... are you ready for this... Saint-Basile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Literally, in my backyard, on the other side of the tracks. That was the end of it for me, as you can imagine.

I would like to introduce you all to Zorro, the latest member of our family:

I said I wouldn't do this, but I can't resist...

Your kids at a birthday party, before the sugar:

Your kids at a birthday party, after the sugar kicks in:


:o)

Moka and me

I know, I know... I haven't posted in a while and I think most of you now know why. Our much loved Berner, Moka Java, passed away unexpectedly April 19th at 4 pm at the young age of 6 1/2 years old. I have no idea what to write, because there is so much I could say about her, so I think I will just let the picture speak to how much of a wonderful, loved doggy she was.

We have her ashes with us now, so things have sort of gotten back on track in the house. Summer will sleep under the table, where we keep Moka's ashes... sort of her way of staying with her pack, I suppose. Tristan has gone outside, looked up to the sky on occasion and will call for Moka - he says he does this cause he wants her to come and play with him. Zach still asks intellectual questions, and Jacob will just say "Moka mort, Maman. Moka mort." When will we bury her, who knows. Right now, I need her close cause I miss my puppy.

Someone asked me recently if we would get another Bernese: my immediate answer was "Its too soon to answer that.". To Greg I have been saying, quite honestly, "No way. There is only 1 Moka.". Now that I look at that little puppy face, I'm thinking... maybe, just maybe another berner. For now, however, we are still working hard with Summer to get her to a good place. We have no idea what was done to her, but its taking a lot of leadership on my part to get her non-anxious and eating to put some meat on her bones. I am battling not only her deamons, but her breed too: it seems that German Shepards are whiners (if only I had known!). The Vet says that she is pleasantly surprised at how well Summer is doing with us - she is on the whole a calm, well socialized doggie and she is doing very well with her commands. Having said all this, its a lot of work for me, so for now, we will stay a 1 dog household.