Another Turkey Day With a Young Boy and an Old Girl

Turkey Day was overcast and drizzly. But we still had a good hike. Here Bali actually looks towards the camera for this portrait.

The life of leisure for a dog.

And more leisure.

And more leisure. Meanwhile, Calypso still refuses to come downstairs. We don't think they'll ever reconcile at this point. She's just too old and he's just too much of a . . . um . . . bonehead.

We raked leaves last weekend and he was a big help.

A really, really big help . . .

Bali tries to "eat" the airflow as we're blowing leaves off the deck.

Somewhere Between Nine and Ten Months

We've verified recently that Berners remain puppies for about two years. That means that we have roughly 14 months to go. I guess we didn't really realize this during our "research period." Now, most of our neighbors remind us that, "oh, sure, a lot of the larger breeds are slow to mature," suggesting that this was common knowledge. Why didn't they speak up earlier, during the "research period?"

Anyway, we've learned a few things over the past couple months. First, Bali is a natural climber. His humongous paws and pads negotiate even the most splintered and unsteady of woodpiles. This one is nothing . . .

We've learned that he's a consummate goofball (actually, we already knew that). Here he rests his oversized head on his nose, causing his front teeth to be exposed and causing about the most ridiculous look you can imagine.

We've learned that he's a natural camper (which is what we had hoped)! We set up camp in the back yard and Bali took it all in stride. He slept in the tent and didn't destroy anything.

Of course, he's a natural hiker . . .

Here Bali attempts to "hunt" squirrels.

But, we've learned that he's most adept at catching plastic bottles.

And here is evidence of Bali learning "place."

This was a bad day. He consumed part of a remote AND Kel's glasses.

This was our Saturday routine all summer. After school, we head to Muth's Farm for our CSA veggies. This is Bali's friend, Pushkin (he's the small dog). Notice the hot wheels in the background (the '70 Mustang, not the '04 Element).

But it's good enough for him . .

We've learned that he has no natural fear of 22-ton hydraulic wood splitters.

More exhibits . . .

He wants to help, the poor kid just doesn't know how to . . .

No thanks to him . . .

A Week Away From Eight Months

LOA: 63"

Beam: 10"

Gross Tonnage: 80 lbs.

Draft: 25"

Bali is getting older, but also naughtier. He's destroyed my Birkenstocks and took a good piece out of Kel's. He's chewed and swallowed plastic "chew keys," multiple leaves, and at least one electrical cord. Luckily, it wasn't plugged in. He's a puppy caught inside a big dog's body.

Here's Kel attempting to weigh his massiveness. Our readings are only rough estimates because the scale measure jumps wildly. All we really know is that he's big.

Like Gorda, he loves to rest his massive head on anything.

Exhibit C (we think, but we've lost track).

Exhibit D. Bali wanted to leave his mark on Amy and Jaysin's anniversary card. We mailed it anyway.

A comparison in head sizes. Look who's bigger. Cabeza Grande!

Bali is the only one to use the hammock all summer. He loves to climb on anything.

Days Away From Seven Months

LOA: 62"

Beam: 10"

Gross Tonnage: 76 lbs.

Draft: 25"

Bali has good weeks and bad weeks at school. Last week was a bad week. Here he is with all his classmates. He's the biggest, but youngest, dog there and we think they forget he's still a puppy. It's very distracting for a young boy.

A typical scene from home during the dog days of summer . . .

It's been too hot to move for weeks and weeks.

6 1/2 Months

LOA: 59"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 70 lbs.

Draft: 25"

Bali has a "sloppy sit" above, but it was 100 degrees. He just came out for the shot and then went right back into the AC.

Bali has new digs! Yes, at 6 1/2 months, he's outgrown Gorda's crate.

Kel fits in there too . . .

Suddenly, this image is making me very nervous.

A podiatric comparison.

Bali gets into it with some Pit Bulls at his first (and only) socialization class.

He doesn't need it. He came pre-socialized. He was the best in the class.

Home to a 60 Pound Monster

LOA: 56"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 60 lbs.

Draft: 25"

Bali is on his way to "summer camp." They said he did "fine." We don't believe them.

Bali is back home, much bigger and very excited to be back (although he doesn't look like it here).

He'll get at least twice this size. We're not sure what we've gotten ourselves into.

LOA: 53"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 55 lbs.

Draft: 24"

Here he's ready for school even if his parents aren't.

His obstacle course in the back yard.

A true party animal. Him and Sophia got along because she fed him wood.

He doesn't mind the rain.

Even if he is a little ugly . . .

21 Weeks and All New Teeth

LOA: 52"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 53 lbs.

Draft: 22"

Notice Bali's long tail hanging below the bench. It seems a little too long. Is this a sign of things to come?

Here's his last "milk tooth." The permanent teeth push out the milk teeth as if they were a cap. This is the only one we found--the rest he swallowed. There was no tooth fairy, we don't want to lie to our kid.

Bali on his way to school. He's always on time, but we're always late.

A 53-pounder at only five months.

He loves the cool tiles. Notice the permanent presence of the shop-vac.

Bali's bird sanctuary. Can you find the bird?

20 weeks and Getting Fat on His New Diet

LOA: 52"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 49 lbs.

Draft: 20"

Bali loved his last visit to Dr. Trail, who said we should be feeding him twice as much as we were! The result looks like a 9 lb gain in a week.

He loves his new beef stick and thinks the chaisse lounge is his.

Peanut butter is my favorite.