Today we have an update from our Midwest Wildflower, Kitsap. Bridget shares:
“Kitsap continues to be one big super well loved handful of a Bernese Mountain Dog. He still amazes folks for how quickly he can turn on a dime and be full steam ahead in another direction as if there was no human on the end of the leash. If I see the distraction first and get his attention you can tell he is trained and has some impulse control, however, if he focuses first, let's just say he keeps me in shape. When he is unsure of a situation or excited, bark loudly and reverberate your voice off the rafters he considers the number one strategy. For some that is pretty darn intimidating but dog folks who know to ignore him until he gets over himself soon find him being all berner love. Every now and then he surprises us all and warms to someone instantly, I wish I was better at predicting who will fall into that special pool.
Shortly after last year's update, we certified for a TD tracking test but there hasn't been an option that matched our schedules and my willingness to consider the field given ticks and lyme disease around here. After one round of that we don't need to repeat. Unfortunately our agility instructor moved away and I haven't gotten things set up with someone else. We are getting more comfortable with our cart, although we love to crowd our Mom and bump the shafts into her so we still have work to do.
I feel bad, four trips to the Pacific Northwest to support my elderly mother since January and Kitsap's training has gotten the short end of things. Still he leads a good life, spending the month of July every year with me in Colorado and traveling to Delaware for the Christmas holidays to be with family. Our granddaughter giggles wildy as long as she gets to give the treats from the safety of grandpa's lap. With my husband being retired, Kitsap has lots of great company even when I am away.
Winter and particularly snow are his favorite seasons. We didn't get much snow this winter so the snow pictures are few and far between but I found one worth sharing. Recently he has decided to stress during thunderstorms or other torrential downpours despite having slept through them in the past. That means whoever is home has a Berner in their lap. Did I mention at 110 lbs of muscle and bone, that's a lot of dog in one's lap. I know that sounds like he might be heavy but given his bone structure, when you get him wet, you think where did he go, he's really quite skinny with a very well defined waist.
There is no dog treat or meal he doesn't enjoy with gusto. He eats three meals a day, kibble at breakfast, a cooked meal with BalanceIT for lunch and raw Darwins for dinner. He can be upstairs asleep and if someone opens the fridge and gets into the cheese drawer he is present in seconds sliding into a proud sitting position expecting to be served.
Those of you who remember our drama with sarcoptic mites should admire the beautiful coat in the attached pictures. Looking at him now you would never know we walked that path.
Wishing all the wonderful Wildflowers a happy sixth birthday and looking forward to your stories of another lap around the son with your dogs. I hope you each love your Wildflower as much as I love mine. I wouldn't trade Kitsap for anything.”
Thank you, Bridget and HAPPY BIRTHDAY KITSAP! 🥳
