Yep, I am baby sitting today. And all I get for it is a couple of extra licks from the spagetti pan. Mmmm, not sure that is worth it. I was supposed to be sharing the responsibility with Scrappy but as you can see, he just jumped up on the chair and went to sleep.

Vickie says I should ask everyone for help with this pup. You see, he has no name. He has a loving family, but even though he has been there a whole month or more, they cannot decide what to call him. So if you have any suggestions, PLEASE send them our way. It is hard to tell a pup what to do if you can't get his attention by calling his name.

Sure, I had a name from the minute Vickie picked me up. I knew she was talking to me, but I learned from my mother, that if you play dumb for a while, you know, pretend you don't know that they are calling you, or asking you to do something, well, they just keep giving you treats.

They think we are too young to know what Sit, Stay and Come mean so they try to teach us by giving us a treat every time we do it. Well, mom said if you just act like you don't get it every time, or look at them with your head tilted and a soft "puppy quizical" look, yep, the treats just keep coming.

So this week, we didn't get to go camping but we did get to go to Soda Springs. Now that was a true adventure and I am going to tell you all about it, in just a minute.

Before Soda Springs, we got to go play with a bunch of Scouts in Westpoint. One of my best friends, Erin, came too. She took Vickies camera and was the official photographer for the evening. Paulette, Murphy, Ken and Tucker came too.

Sometimes I wonder if Vickie loves Tucker just a little too much. She keeps saying how he is like Jamie and that he is going to be a great Search Dog. uh hem.....Who is going to be the great search dog?????? Well Please......

I admit he is pretty good and everyone oohhs and aahhs about how polite and good he is. He sits and stays and acts perfect. The key word here is ACTS.....I think he is just a pleaser.......Now me, Not so much......

Well accept when Vickie is sick. She has had a horrible head cold this week and today she is really feeling icky. So I figure it is my chance to show her how wonderful I am. I am loving and cuddly and charming....

So I spent most of the day at her side. When she would go out and lay on the swing I would go out and lay next to her. And just for that special touch, that gets you humans everytime. I would lay my head on her lap and look gently up into her eyes. Then she gets all mushy and tells me what a good boy I am. Oh I am good.

Anyway, back to Westpoint. Paulette showed the kids how to stay dry and warm if they ever get lost, Mufhpy did his regular..."I'm the coolest" performance. Then both Tucker and Murhpy did a problem for the kids to see how we find you when you are lost. Not sure why I didn't get to do one, but I made up for it at Soda Springs.

Then we all posed for a picture......

On Thursday Vickie and I got into the little red truck and headed to Soda springs to speak to a group of school children who were on an outing there. The place we were supposed to go to was Hooper Springs and I was all excited cause I knew I was gonna get to swim in the springs. I also love to drink the water that comes out of the ground cause it is so cold and crisp and wonderful. I could hardly wait.

As we traveled, I got a little gassy and I think Vickie figured I needed a pit stop so we pulled over, just outside of Malad. It was dry and barren and HOT....But I made the most of the stop....

Along the way we came across miles and miles of straw. It was really pretty and the hills were starting to change color too so Vickie put her camera outside the window and snapped pictures while we drove.

I liked the fields of straw that were baled in huge big squares and also some were in big rolls that were as big as a truck. I would have loved to get out and play in them, if only we had time

When we got to Hooper Springs, Kim met us and we went over to the place where we were going to talk. We were a bit early so I got to go play in the stream. It was nice and pretty and green and I got all wet. Then I came out and found two kids to pet me and keep me company while we waited.

AFter the talking part of the demo, I got to show these kids how WONDERFUL I am. Vickie set up two easy problems for me. The first one was way simple. The boy ran up the hill and behind a tree. Well that took no time at all. I finished to the acclamaiton of my fans.

The second problem, well there was a little tiny mishap there. I beleive it is all Vickies fault. She had the victim run behind me and around all the kids who were sitting down in front of us. Vickie held her hand over my eyes so I couldn't cheat.....Me???Cheat??

Anyway when she released me and told me to "Find", well instead of going around the kids, I just went through them. I mean, it was the quickest route. Well, I guess I sent kids flying in both directions as I plowed my way through. One girl even got a little teary....I felt pretty bad about that, but what is a guy to do???? I mean it is my job. Right?

I am pretty sure she has forgiven me by now. At least I hope so. all the kids came up to play with me after that and then we all posed for yet another pictures.

It was time for the kids to get ready to go. One girl came up, and asked if she could walk with me. Vickie handed over my leash and off we went. She was great....She should be a dog trainer.

She ran me around, made me do turns, and stops and sits.....and working for her was easy and fun. If I didn't know that Vickie needs me, I would really consider moving in with her.

As everyone was ready to leave, it was the plan to take us all down to the Springs for a drink. I figured a drink and a dip was in order for me. So I happily headed to the water. Just before I was ready to jump into the springs, Vickie called out to me and told me to stop. then she said I should probably take a drink of the water first before I jump in. Well I know the command for Drink so I leaned over into the spring and took a big gulp of the beautiful clear water.

Oh my gosh.......It was the worst tasting stuff I have ever ever had...and mind you, I have taken a drink from the Great Salt Lake..... It was horrible. It was bubbly and it popped in my mouth. I am sooo glad Vickie stopped me from Jumping in......

Now I know what they meant when they named it Soda Springs.......

Eeeooouuuu..... give me a mud puddle any day....

I can't figure out why all the kids were drinking it. Vickie said they brought Kool-Aid and put that in the cups of water they got and it was like drinking pop...... yea...sure....kids will drink anything.

I escorted them all onto their busses and sent them all home. Then Vickie and I stayed a little while longer and played ball in the creek. On the way home we stopped to take a few pictures of the leaves changing, well Vickie did. I was pretty tired by then and I just slept all the way home.

It is Saturday night now and Vickie is being sickly so I figure I have my job of taking care of her ahead of me. But first, and Vickie loves this, I better go and check to see if there is any fresh pooh in the yard to taste, then a quick drink out of the toilet and then.....Vickie, I am all yours....

Oh yea, and yes I was at the vets again this week. Vickie thought I ate a walnut, husk and all but the vet couldn't see a walnut in my x-rays. Just three big rocks. he sent me home for a few hours then wanted me back again for another x-ray. Just to see if the big rocks were moving. When I went back, later in the day, lo and behold , there were six rocks in my tummy.

Hmmmm wonder where they came from.......

So here we are, one week after the big Bear Lake Trip. Not much has been going on, well at least that involves me. Last night Vickie left after work and went up to her moms house cause Corbon and Jason had come over from Boise.

She didn't have a real good excuse for not taking me and she looked pretty guilty as she locked the gate and said good by to Jamie and I. Even our drooping hang dog looks couldn't guilt her in to taking us.

She went with her mom, Jason and Corbon to the park. The park......For petes sake..... "Park"....
Isn't that synominous to "Dog" The two words go hand in hand like. "Boy" and "Dog" "Fire-hydrant"-and "Dog"..... PARK and DOG




























I mean, I know that KC got to go. She tried to hide the fact in the above picture but I know that is KC's leash in Corbons hand and he "ain't just draggin a stuffed toy"



























As for the climbing wall, Corbon could have used my help there. I would have showed him how to work that thing with no problem. I mean, I am THE BEST SEARCH DOG IN THE WORLD.


Earlier in the week she did take me to a demonstration up in Ogden. I got to help explain what to do and how us dogs work when people get lost in the woods. In the picture below, Vince was playing like he was dead and I was trying to explain to him that you don't usually grin when you are dead.

























After the Demo Murphy did his regular thing. He is just a big cuddly pillow and the girls all like to rub his belly and lay on him. I tried to tell him to put his leg down a little cause it looks like he is peeing on her, but no one seemed to be paying attention to me at the time.

















OH well, it was great fun and I got to meet a bunch of really cool girls.





















She left me again on Wednesday afternoon when her and John went up to "Her Mountain"
as she calls it, to look for moose. I have to admit that when I saw the pictures, I was amazed at how beautiful it was that day.

Vickie said I wouldn't have liked it because they spent most of the time on the atv's riding around looking for fun wildlife. They came across this young badger that was very curious about them. They watched each other for about 15 minutes. Clem, (that is the name Vickie gave this little guy) kept ducking down into his hole then popped back up again seconds later to see if Vickie and John had dissappeared.

A little bit later and about one mile away they came across two of the most beautiful moose that Vickie had seen this year. One had nine points and the other, the big guy had 13 points. Now I don't know what that means but Vickie says, it is really cool in moose talk.

Vickie didn't get as close as John did to the two big fellas, but she got too close for comfort if you ask me.

John got way too close.

AS the sun went down Vickie and John headed home. I guess it is ok that they didn't take me. I really don't care for the atv ride that much. I do miss the fact that we haven't been able to go camping this week though and according to her, we won't be going up next week either.

She did tell me to get plenty of rest because the week held a lot of traveling for me and several demonstrations.. One as far away as Soda Springs Idaho. That means a stop in Bear Lake on the way home. That means swimming...... Yea. do I wrapped myself up in my blanky and now I am going to sleep......

Enjoy the video of Clem......if it works......

So here I am, all excited to see Dr. Doughty's new office. We got a tour and saw old friends and then.......all my fun was over. Out came the needles. Three shots. Can you imagine that I got three shots in my behind. And here I thought it was just a fun outing....

It was cool though. I got to be Dr. Doughtys first patient in his new office. It was a very nice office, kind of comforting. Not what you would expect to find in a veterinarians office. it was 09-09-09 at 9 am. pretty cool huh....

Vickie made up for it by taking me to Bear Lake for the weekend though. Yep, it was the anual search and rescue training with Bear Lake County SAR divers. We get to spend the day on the lake, swimming, playing and searching. I came home totally exhauste. Vickie came home with a strange rash that covered her everywhere. I think I came out of this best.

My friend Jen came up for the weekend too. She even hid for me a time or two, was always there to pay attention to me, and was quick to comfort me if I got nervous or scared.

She helped me work on obedience too. I was supposed to stay put while she walked over the top of me and all around me. It was supposed to teach me to be calm when people were around and not get nervous when they were walking around me.

AFter the boring training, Sit,Stay, Come stuff, me and my buddy Rosco got to go play in that beautiful blue lake. Kids were everywhere and so there was a non-stop supply of ball throwers for us. The lake was shallow for the first 50 yards out so we could run and bounce through the water to our hearts content. No body could throw hard enough for the balls to reach the drop off about 60 yards out.

While we were playing the divers were getting prepared to take us out. The idea is, that one diver goes out and goes under water about 30 feet. Then us dogs come out in the boats and tell our handlers where the diver is. When you consider the size of that lake, it is a pretty cool thing that we do.

Vickie and I played for hours while we waited for our turn in the boat. We also went and did some problems that are called HRD. "Human Remains Detection" boy I really like that stuff. I was really quick to find the hidden stuff and Joyce showed Vickie some excellent ways to reward me when I let her know I had found it.

Now it is my turn in the boat. Chase came along to observe. SHe is pretty cool. she is Roscoes human. Anyway before we got in the boat, I got to smell my "Victims" pants. That is so I will know who I am looking for. When I can smell something that belongs to the missing person, then I don't waiste my time checking out everyone else, I just look for the person who smells like them pants.

This was real different than anything else I had done in the past. I mean, here I am on this boat in the middle of this huge lake and there was nothing human within sight. Except I kept smelling a smell of a human. In fact it was the same human smell that I had just smelled on the pants. i looked and sniffed and looked but I couldn't see it. I could smell it though

Pretty soon the smell of him got so strong that I just plain jumped out of the boat and into the water and started swimming toward the smell. The boat followed me and pretty soon, I was getting confused. I could smell him but I couldn't see him. Finally Vickie and the boat pulled up beside me and Vickie grabbed me so that I didn't have to swim as hard.

Next thing you know, I notice this big black thing coming up from below me in the water. I was a little nervous but as it came up, I recognized the smell of it and knew it was my victim. I had found him. Vickie pulled me out of the water and then I got to see this guy from the safety of the boat. He was so nice to me and I realized I had nothing to fear.

I am pretty sure I like this water stuff. I mean, I LOVE water and I love swimming and playing in it, but there is nothing as cool as finding that you are not alone in the lake and that you have a swimming buddy....

Well, I am going back to bed now. Boy am I tired.

Hope your week is good.

Love

Bert

The sunsets were beautiful this week. I kind of liked the weather too. It seems to be cooling down a little and that is good since the air conditioner in the house has died.

I kept hoping Vickie would fix it, but she just tells us to go stay with the dogs in the kennel where it is air conditioned cause she won't pay the money for another one in the house.

I give her a 95 degree day and then I predict, she will break down and buy one for the house.

She isn't as tough as she thinks she is. Remember her grounding my from my ball last week. Well that lasted for three whole days. She just couldn't resist my "Gosh I miss my ball" look so when we went to Camp Bartlet in Idaho on Saturday, she gave in and we played ball. We played ball with a bunch of little kids, then we played ball in the lake and then we played ball in the mountains after I found our missing person. yep, she is a tough one all right.

Jamie is sleeping a lot these days. It must be that it is hot and muggy outside and it wears her down. I think Vickie is going to leave me at home this week and take Jamie on the overnight camping trip because she hopes it will cheer Jamie up a bit. I guess I can give up one trip to the mountains for Jamie, after all, she is my mentour, my teacher, me example.

At last weeks campout I finally figured out how to ride on the atv and not make Vickie mad. I learned how to balance myself and not run us off the road by leaning from one side to the other while standing with my front legs on Vickies shoulders. I think I may have changed her mind about taking me riding more often.

When she first stopped taking me on the atv I was pretty pleased cause I don't really like it, but then I realized by not going on the atv, I was missing out on seeing a lot of different places and a lot of fun lakes and ponds to swim in. Now that I have figured that out, I made a bigger effort to learn how to make it more pleasant for both of us.

I met a new critter this week called a rabbit. There are a whole bunch of them up where we go camping and I never knew it. Vickie makes me sit at the truck and wait for her while she gets the atv ready and I dont' mind waiting there cause I can watch these little guys. This week, she let me go up to meet them.

I went very slowly so I wouldn't scare them, but they still were a bit standoff ish. All accept this guy. He was pretty cool. Vickie doesn't know his name so I decided to call him "Rrrrwwrroff" I say his name quietly and he just looks at me, turning his head from side to side. He likes it when I say his name long and low. "Rrrrrrrrrrrwwwwwrrrroooooffff" Its a good rabbit name.

I think the other ones were jelous that he got a name and they didnt'.

Like told you earlier in the blog, we got to go to Camp Bartlett in Idaho this week too. It was a pretty long drive but it was waaaayyy worth it. When we drove up these two girls came up to the car and greeted me and Murphy. I also met a fun young man during the day and some other kids.

During the day, Vickie spoke to the search and rescue people from Idaho on how to use dogs in a search, showing them how scent travels on land and in the water. Then after she was through her and Paulette said Murhpy and I would be happy to show them how we find people if they get lost. One really nice lady volunteered to hike up into the mountains somewhere and wait until Murhpy and I could find her.

I am a little emberrassed to say that Murhpy found her first, but I was only a few minutes behind him. Camp Bartlett is a wonderful place to practice being a search dog and I hope that I can go up there again. Vickies says that I get to go to Bear Lake next week for the anual Water Training with the Bear Lake Divers and SAR team and that if I remember from last year, I will really enjoy that day too.

After we found our lost person, we went back and I got to swim in the lake, then some of the kids came over and wanted to get their pictures taken with me and Murhpy. I like kids....they are really fun. Some of them want to take me for a walk. I get a little nervous leaving Vickies side, but when I get going with the kids, I forget all about her and just enjoy the company I am with.

One bad think happened at Camp Bartlett but I was lucky this time. While Vickie was busy talking to the search and rescue people I found this little box filled with little green crystal like tasties so I started eating some of them.

For the first time in a long time, I didn't think these were tasty enough to eat too many and I guess that is a good thing because I later learned that this was called Decon and that it was poison.

As soon as Vickei realized I was tasting this I was forced to drink a whole big bowl of water. It was a lot of water. Paulette had some powder that made it taste pretty good so I drank a lot of it happily. But after a while, Vickie had to force me to drink more and more of it.

then because they decided I couldn't of eaten too much of the stuff, Vickie went back to the group and kept talking. She let my friends hold me while I waited for her to finish. I didn't get sick at all but boy I had to pee a lot.

Finally it was time to head home so Murhpy and I were shoved into the back of Vickies truck and off we went. It wasn't too bad though cause I was really tired by then. I just fell asleep over Paulettes shoulder while Murhpy hung his head on Vickies neck. now I am crashed out on the floor quite content with the activities of this week.

Night every body.

Love Bert