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.

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 . . .