Birthday Week continues with a happy update from Kjempe (Paintbrush).
Marija sends us this fun report:
“As Mary-Ann knows, this is my first Berner - special gratitude for her, entrusting me with one of her pups. Having researched breeds exhaustively, I would wager that Kjempe not only lives up to all of the characteristics that make this breed so great, but surpasses them in the categories of intelligence, silliness/playfulness, patience, kindness, happiness, and best friend.
Kjempe, ever-observant, is always taking in his environment - a scientist of sorts - putting this world together, rather astutely :-) As detailed in commentary for his littermates, he is highly intelligent, LOVES the snow, an athlete, and can run really really fast! I haven't concluded yet if he likes the water. He'll put his feet in, but never wants to go all in. I think he may take after Daisy.
Our busy year together includes several training classes from puppy basics and obedience to loose leash walking building on dog/owner communication, and currently canine good citizen with the test and certification the first Monday in June.
We moved to a new property where Kjempe has 2 acres to play, and have been busy planting trees, bushes, flowers, watching sunrises, sunsets and the stars, and of course daily chores like getting the mail (Kjempe is always eager to carry something back to the house), training, playing tug and fetch, learning some basic agility, going through tunnels, and herding cats when its time for everyone to come inside ha ha!
This winter I introduced Kjempe to cross-country skiing where he had no concerns around the skis and seemed to enjoy it. Next year we will start training for skijoring.
Every morning Kjempe sits and waits for me to make my latte so he can have a pupaccino. We take walks or hikes almost daily, meet friends at breweries, shop together at places where dogs are allowed, have picnics in the park, and can't wait to attend some outdoor live music hopefully this summer. He loves people and always has a friendly greeting. My nieces especially love to visit, or we will venture to their house for an overnight stay.
This summer we will head up high for some hikes where it is nice and cool to escape the Colorado Front Range heat. We are both early birds, though some days, he prefers to sleep in a little longer than me. Kjempe and the cats do yoga with me in the mornings on the patio, which is very peaceful. He is a good brother to the kitties, though I sometimes think that they just tolerate him as only cats will do. ha ha.
Kjempe is a great side kick, companion, and best friend. He makes me laugh with his silly antics. I think he will do excellent in agility as this past Tuesday on our hike, while I tucked the leash up for him to cross the wet areas while I skipped rocks/used log bridges, he decided to use the bridge ahead of me! Took me completely by surprise. On top of that, he proceeded to jump logs that were across the trail and had a lot of fun doing it. There is a foundations of agility class that we are looking into after CGC.”
I had the pleasure of spending time with Kjempe and Mariya when I was at the Specialty, and I could not be happier with the lovely life that those two have together. Lovely person, lovely dog, perfect match.