This week we want to dedicate our weekly video to sweet Sammy who has passed on. I will really miss Sammy a whole lot. Never said much but always ruled Allred when staying here.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Now here is something crazy, Did you know that Vickie sang in a bar while she was getting through college. I found that out the other day and also found this old recording of her singing. So what did you think? I was kind of amazed she could sing even a little. She sings all the time around the kennels but I never thought what she did

was concidered real singing.

Murphy Tucker and Me got to go and talk to the kids from Kanesville Elementary this week. It was up at the Environmental Center again and you know how happy that makes me.

The students were great as always and the day was beautiful. It was the perfect Dog Day Outing.

I found someones sock when I first got there and I carried it around with me throughout the demonstration. When it was time to go, no one stepped up to own it so I got to take it home. Actually I had it hidden in my mouth so Vickie did't know I had it until we were half way down the mountain. ha ha I win again.

So this video is just for the kids at Kanesville Elementary.

Thanks from me, Tucker and Murphy for another great great time.

We had a great snow day at the first of the week and as always it brought out the wild dog in all of us. We had such a great time running through the kennels at high speeds, whipping around the buildings and thru the gates. Oh SPEED......

Porter lead the group half the time and I lead it the rest of the time. Me and Porter.....we are FAST FAST FAST

Kya found a stick and played with it for hours. We can't have toys and stuff in the house because Vickie says I eat them and then I have to go back to the vet and she is tired of paying the doctor bills. So No Toys. We have to settle for little sticks. wahoo

So let me introduce you to all the new youngins that are coming to play here lately. Like you already met Max and Tucker and this little guy is Orso.

This is Emily.

ANd this is Tuckers brother Buck

This little guy is Bear and he is looking for a new home. His family is moving and he can't go with them and so he is hoping you will help me help him find a new home.

Bear is 6 months old and is a really good little boy.

Emma also needs a new home. She is so sweet and she is great company.

I just don't understand how anyone could pass up that little face of hers. So help us please. Can you pass my blog around to your friends incase they are in need of either Bear or Emma to come and live with them and bring them light and happiness... You know, the kind of light and happiness I bring to Vickie

So we had some changes here at the kennel. Vickie says this is the LAST time she was gonna pay any money to keep me from eating stuff. First we had to replace the rock yard that she had when I first came to live with her. (You remember how I like ate the rock and it blocked my intestines and I had to go in to the vet and get it taken out). Second she tried real grass. Yeh like that worked. all the traffic and the urine and the running and the digging. NO GRASS. Then we tried the big sand box. Well that was her least favorite. After us dogs would run out and play in the sand then come inside we always brought a pound of sand in with us too. It was like living on a beach in your living room.

So we got this really neat turf. Yes it has big numbers in it, because it came off a football field but used turf was all we could afford and even with the big white 2 and the big with number 4 on the sides, it still looks pretty cool.

If any of you need some turf for your outdoor area's Vickie bought a whole bunch more than we need so ask her about it.

We just love the stuff. It is great to run in and play on and it doesn't hurt our feet like rocks do and well, its the best.......

So Ithink I will sign off now and go outside and take a nap on my new Turf. But before I go, I just want to tell you a little bit of something that kind of bothers me.

I have met and known some really cool dogs that are called Pit Bulls. Betty, oh sweet Betty, Emma (the little girl pictured above who needs a home) Daila, my best pal at the kennel, Ray and Taylor my friends from the puppy party outings that I have.

It is so sad how they are having such a hard time with being accepted by the public so I leave you with this link to a cool video that you may or may not want to pass on to other friends. Just know that all us dogs are really cool and most of the time if we turn out to be angry, scared or mean, it is mostly due to human mistreatment.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/TtGT2apOlKw

So ok, off my high horse I go.

Take care.

See ya soon

Bert

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

An odd thing occurred to me the other day when it became apparent to me that I am not the only thing of interest in Vickies life. Did you know that she has a journal of her own? I mean, she doesn’t keep it online like me, mostly because Who would be interested in her life without me in it. But she does. She keeps a journal.

Now I wont’ bore you with any of her personal stuff, but I did come across this very interesting entry she made about me and a scout from a demo we did last week. I thought it was worth sharing with you, since of course, I am one of the main characters in her entry.
Dear Future reader (if there are any)

Today Janaury 18th 2011 (just incase I don’t’ keep this in chronological order) Bert, Murphy Paulette and I were invited to a Scout Group to do a demo. There were only 4 scouts around 10 or 11 I think, but all their parents, brothers and sisters, and other ward members came so there was about 30 people there.

Not really a big deal, I just figured we would do the same demo as always. “What to do if you get Lost” “What to take with you” “How to meet dogs you don’t’ know” ect…

When Bert and I got up for our turn I started talking about “How you meet a dog you don’t’ know” I was about to go into the part where I tell the kids how you should never stare a dog in the eyes, when it came to my attention that Bert had moved from his down stay and walked over to one of the scouts, then sat down directly in front of the boy looking straight up into his face.

I continued to talk for a minute and Bert and the scout remained locked in their prospective positions. I decided to use this moment as a teaching example because by now everyone was wondering what the heck was going on between the two of them.

I told the class the part about how we should never stare at a dog in the eye because it made them nervous. I asked the scout how he felt with Bert sitting there, not moving, just staring at him. Bert had still not moved a muscle. The boy answered in a quiet shaky voice “I feel kind of uncomfortable”

Everyone in the group laughed but Bert did not budge, he just kept holding his position never wavering.

I went on with the talk and shortly after I started up again, Bert ever so gently moved up a little closer to the scout, now touching the boys knees with his front legs. Bert’s face never changed its hold on the boys face.

The whole class now is curiously waiting to see what would happen next. I continued talking.

After about another 30 seconds Bert made his first real move as he lifted his right paw up and placed it on the boys left knee. Still in a sitting position with eyes still focused on the boy, Bert then lifted his left paw and gently placed it on the boys right knee.

I kept talking so as not to break the spell. The group kept watching, silent bursts of laughter coming here and there as we watched the poor scout’s eyes as he couldn’t decide if he should get up and run or remain still.

He remained still, perfectly still.

Then Bert lifted his right paw up further and placed it on the boys left chest, still keeping his behind on the floor in a sitting position. Next the left paw up onto the boys right side of his chest.

In my heart of hearts I knew the child would be safe, but I couldn’t help the feeling of fear as I realized should Bert turn crazy at this moment the boys carotid artery was just inches away. I know that is totally irrational but I had never seen Bert so focused on one person in my whole life. Yes, he is obsessively crazy about his toys especially a tennis ball, he can stare unmoving for an hour watching a tennis ball lying on the other side of the fence, but never ever has he been so focused on a child.

As this concern traveled through my mind I dumbfoundedly watched as Bert made his final, gentle, yet purposeful next move.

With his paws on both sides of the young scout’s chest, Bert stretched up as close to the boy’s neck as he could get, still not leaving a sit position. Opened his mouth and tenderly grabbed the bandana wrapped around the boy’s neck. But it was not just the bandana Bert was after; it was the blue ball like part he had used as a tie clip.

Bert firmly held on to the ball/tie clip, slipped down the boy’s bandana, removed his paws from off the boys chest then proudly came to show me the new blue tennis ball that he had acquired.

With relief from me and more so from all the parents and family in attendance, we all laughed and laughed about the stealth which with Bert got his new toy.

Needless to say, after that, the boy gave the ball tie to his father to hide in a pocket and Bert went back to his down stay with a disappointed heart.

So there you go. Vickie may think she has another life, that doesn't involve me, but now we all know. I Am What its All ABout in Her World.

At the kennel this week had lots of buddies stay overnight. It was great fun. Bonnie, who is like the biggest little dog ever. (What I mean is, for a little gal, she can sure be in your face all the time) so like she took over the lazy boy during the night and ruled the house all day. Even Allred stayed out of her way.

Ellie moped around most of the weekend. She really misses her family when they go. Sometimes I don't even know she is here cause she just stays out of the way and looks pathetic. I really don't know how to make her stay here funner. I mean, I usually can give any dog my "lets go play" look and off we go, but Ellie just looks at me, lowers her head and goes into the office and sleeps under the computer.

Molly is still here and she is really fun. She can even handle Daila, who is also staying for the week. You might have noticed them playing in the Video of the week, or check out this video Vickie took outside on Friday. She is there playing to if you can see her through all the quick moving crazy boxers.

It never gets old for me to see all the different breeds of us dogs that play together. Like above, there is Bonnie, Daila and Jimmy Dean. Jimmy Dean......thats an interesting name for a dog, dont' you think? Especially a basset.

The evenings have been pretty beautiful here and we (all us dogs) are really enjoying this great January thaw.

Our new little friend Tucker is especially enjoying it. Like me he LOVES LOVES LOVES Mud and he isn't afraid to share that experience with his loved ones.

At the same time, he can give you that "I am growing in wisdom" look. As I watch little Tucker grow up (mostly in pictures, but soon he will get to come and stay for a couple of weeks) but as I watch him grow up I find myself remembering those days of joy when I, myself would frolick through the muddy swamps then jump into Vickies truck come home and run through the house shaking the joy all over.

Oh Tuck, you have so much to look forward.

So I am off to bed now, and like you, I dream of the exciting week to come. Vickie and I have tons of things planned for the coming week. Some of it is about her, but mostly it will be a trip up the mountains for me, walks, long LONG walks everyday and I get to do my other job a couple of times too.

Night all

Love

Bert

It's a LONG one

CANINE COUNTRY CLUB VIDEO OF THE WEEK

OK everyone, Vickie says I can have a "Guess What I Am Doing For A Second Job" Contest.

Here are the rules:

1st. You can't play if you already know. So Jill from Pet Expectations, Paulette Bennett, Ken Seidle, Marion Evans, Vickies mom, sister, Neices and Nephews can't play.

2nd. Send your guesses to jamiesyra@msn.com with subject title. "What is Bert doing Now"

3rd. The first person who guesses what my new career is will get an incredible gift in the mail as the winner.

4th. We will put a different picture of what I am doing each week until you guess it.

UPDATE Monday Jan 17th.

These are the guesses we have had so far.

Greeter at Retirement Home

Therapy Dog (he already does this)

Searching for Contraband

Bomb Dog

Cancer Detection

Cadaver Dog (he already does that too)

Drug Dog

and my favorite and most disgusting guess is

searching for pee bags of people trying to fake drug urin tests.

Honestly Michelle, where is your mind.......

Nope Nope Nope Nope NOPE

This has turned out to be a really fun contest

UPDATE

WE HAVE OUR WINNERS

1st Place to Erin Olpin of Layton

2nd Place to Eileen Bunn of Idaho

3rd and 4th place was a tie between

Michelle Thompson and Natalie Ryan

Thanks for playing everyone. You all have a lot of confidence in my skills. You guessed I could do some pretty neat stuff.

Well, all except the drugs in the urin one. EEEEYOUYUCK

It will take Vickie a few days to get the surprises together that I have in mind for you so keep an eye on the old mail box. Love ya Bert

So here is the first picture. (Below) Good Luck, and don't hate me when you figure it out.
Now lets get down to the good stuff.

My Life this week.

What a wonderful week it was. Vickie and I must have covered about 10 or 12 miles of the Ogden River Walk over the week. It is so incredibley beautiful, even on the wet muddy sloppy days.

One night early in the week, Vickie woke us all up (the girl needs to learn to sleep through the night) anyway, she woke us all up and we headed outside to play in the snow. I have to say, I am glad she did. It is so cool to go out in the middle of the night and play. It is like a whole different world.

Like I remember this search we went on up in Montpieler a few years ago for a missing child. We searched all through the night and it was so exciting and a little scary. Like part of the night we were searching in this big open area when something made a noise kind of like a snort. It scared the beejeebees out of me. But it ended up being ok cause it was just an old cow.

The really neat thing about it was how quiet and peaceful the world is at 1 or 3 in the morning and Oh MY Gosh, the stars up there were, well it was like looking into the most beautiful sparkle show ever created. Oh and just for your info, the boy was found safe and sound.
Anyways back to our midnight frolick in the snow. It only lasted about half an hour but it was great fun. All except for that silly flash on Vickies camera. It kept blinding us.

Dougal send us some pictures from his trip this week in the west desert. Him and Jon go to the greatest places too. Although, it looks a little cold, even for me.

I mean it is part snow but check out the ice crystals on the sage. Still they had lots of fun.

And here is a Nevada sunset. Thanks Dougal and Jon for sharing.

So we get to have another youngin come and stay with us in a few weeks. Vickie went out to meet him on Saturday and she brought back some pictures.

His name is Tucker and I will generously admit that he is almost, yes I said ALMOST, as cute as I was at his age.

I can't wait to teach him all the fun things about life that I can. He is living with a really nice family and he, like me, gets to go to work every day with them. So he needs to learn some social skills, like....."No Bert, it is NOT ok to jump on company" "No Bert, don't speed up when you are running towards people, it hurts their knees when you try to impact them backwards" and "Yes Bert, your a nice sweet loving boy who lets little kids pet you and pull your hair"

I have a lot of experience with all those things so I can teach Tucker Much.

I am kind of looking forward to Tucker meeting our precious Allred. I can't wait to see how that goes.

Lately Maximus has found Allred quite interesting. Maximus is only 6 months old and already he is taller than me, so I caught him experimenting with his height the other day as he tried to stretch up to the top of Allreds Castle.

He is getting pretty close to loosing a good part of his handsome face. I know I could say something to him like "Dude, what are you doing?" or "Dude, are you suicidal" but what I guess I'll do is just wait and see where it goes....hehehe

I was a little upset with Vickie the other day cause she gave Allred my Christmas Bear. I guess it is because I had already ate part of his foot and Vickie was worried I might swallow more of him and then have to go to the vets again. But come on, giving it to Allred. ALLRED of all the critters I would rather see get my Christmas Bear, it would NOT BE ALLRED.

Golly Gee and "Whats with the tongue thing?"

Kya is still here, I am really liking her. She is mostly just a cuddle dog and she sleeps so cute. And she is great to play "Catch Me" in the snow. I'll miss her when she goes.

Yet another walk along the walkway. This time we went South from Fort Bueneventura. You see a lot more people on that walk. Well, actually we didn't see any people walking but we did come across a couple of encampments with funny smells that made me a bit nervouse. Vickie said we may not go that way again.

The water was so pretty we took a video for you so you could hear it and also see the ice that forms around some of the rocks and on the branches that are close to the water.

Every where we went we saw footprints in the snow. Vickie says these are from a bird, but we saw rabbit and other dog prints and a few human ones too.

On Saturday we started at Fort Bueneventura and headed North along the river. But before we hit the trail we noticed a friend of mine from last year playing at the dog park. I was so excited to see her. So I MADE Vickie take me in so I could say hi.

Thing is, last time I saw her she was about two feet high. Boy has she grown. We ran and played for a while as Vickie visited with the other humans at the dog park. Wow, it was great to see her again.

Then we started our walk north and had a wonderful two hour walk. I got to run off lead so I ran up and down the banks, into the water and back again. i found the most delicious smelling thing to roll in so I rolled and rolled in it.

After I did that, vickie wasn't so excited to have me come and walk by her so I got to play even more. when we were almost back to the truck, even though I was quite ready to go home, Vickie made me swim in the river one more time.

It was great fun, she threw a stick for me until I was quite cold and quite exhausted. Then we went through a big snow covered field and I rolled in the snow one more time. I felt kind of bad because that delicious smell must have washed off while I was swimming in the river, but Vickie seemed a little more willing to have me walk next to her again.

Sunday has just been a wet wet drippy gloomy day and I have loved it. I don't feel guilty at all, just sleeping through a day like this, resting my body and getting it ready for another great week.

ahhhhhh one final yawn and I am off to bed.

love ya, I mean, I really mean it, I love ya all......love love love. thats what it is all about.....

Bert