19 Weeks and a Road Trip

LOA: 50"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 40 lbs.

Draft: 20"

There are five stages that the typical Bernese Mountain Dog goes through: guinea pig, small puppy, huge puppy, dog, and bear. Bali has skipped right to the bear stage. And he has an appetite to match. He's particularly indebted to Dr. Trail because Dr. Trail recommended that we feed Bali more. He loves Dr. Trail. Here Bali has his last round of vaccinations, a rabies shot (with a shiny tag), and a good check-up.

Bali took his first road trip last week. He rode 2,200 miles in the new BTV. He visited Wisconsin and Indiana. He's a natural traveler.

He met his cousin Charlie in Madison.

His uncle Milo in Madison (you can see how that went).

Hung out on the back 40 in Mount Horeb.

Met His grandma and grandpa in Shorewood.

And met one of his best friends, Jelly Bear. He loves that she has "bear" in her name.

And he met many, many more family and friends. What an exciting life!

The New BTV

This is Bali's new official vehicle. It's a 2004 Honda Element with PLENTY of room in back for a huge kid.

Chillin' with the big Shepherds at school.

Study time--PLACE! Bali finally gets to join the group.

This is his first experience with water! His huge paws looked funny wet.

School really tires him out . . .

17 Weeks, Bigger Body, Not Sure About the Brain

LOA: 48"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 37 lbs.

Draft: 19"

Somtimes Bali refuses to stay in the rear seat.

His first pig's ear. He ate it like a cracker.

Exhibit B

There's irony in this story. Below you'll see what was a Balinese offering that we kept on the dashboard of the Saturn (BTV) that was eaten by a dog named Bali. The little basket was actually from Bali (the country, not the dog). We're hoping our luck doesn't turn sour.

Today was Bali's second day of school. He worked on "come," "sit," "off," "place," and "break." He's a very quick learner and everybody comments on it. Here he looks longingly at the class for more advanced dogs.

On the way home he crashed hard. He was hot and tired . . .

This is his favorite place to hang out when he's not in his crate--the tiles are cool.

These are not tattoos nor the result of a magic marker--they're the real thing. Have you ever seen anything like it?

16 Weeks, Puppy School, College, & the BTV

LOA: 45"

Beam: 9"

Gross Tonnage: 35 lbs.

Draft: 19"

The monster is growing at rates that nobody can believe. Everybody comments on it, from the vet, to the mailman, to the neighbors.

Bali started puppy school on Monday. We don't have any pictures of that, but he also went to college. Here's Bali attending his first college class (my senior seminar). Notice how he simultaneously sits on one student's purse while chewing on the arm of another. He wasn't the brightest pupil, and he had to be carried by his mom up and down the stairs to the third-floor classroom. We finally found something that he's afraid of--TALL FLIGHTS OF STAIRS! How horrifying! The college class was no sweat . . .

We're planning Bali's first big road-trip. We'll be headed to Wisconsin (mom, you don't know this yet) in our 16-year-old Saturn (it's always been called the BTV--the "Boy Transport Vehicle"). Here's the catch--it has 220,000 miles on it. Here's the proof.

We'll be taking the title along and we'll be prepared to remove the license plate. But we won't be surprised if it makes it. Stay tuned . . .

Party Animals

We finally had the much anticipated "puppy party." There were actually only two real puppies in attendance but also plenty of other party animals.

This is probably the last time that Callan will ever be able to hold Bali (unless she comes over within the next week or so).

Here's Bali with his girlfriend, Missy. They're only a few days apart in age but many, many pounds apart . . .

Oops, caught kissing! Notice the drool.

Nothing like ending the evening with a frozen carrot. He loves carrots.

I mean, he really loves carrots . . .

After a long night, Bali crashes with his new stuffed lamb.