The iPups are eight!
Terri Z made this collage for us each week. Missing her as well…
They are together in that photo but no longer together on the earth — we begin by resting our hearts and minds on Scarlett and George (Pip, aka Mr. Congeniality) who left their beloved families much too soon. We will not forget them.
We will spend a few days catching up with the iPups, beginning with Nikko (Jackson). Tony shares: “We can’t believe it’s been 8 years already!
Nikko is doing very well, walking about 2.5 miles daily.
…so he can have ice cream for dinner!
He is super friendly with everyone he meets on his walks, especially women! We all know Nikko and his nephew ZeD are famous for finding money, but a couple of months ago, Nikko found a 50-dollar bill!
Even then, this wasn’t his all-time high of $66. Next month we will take him to UC Davis for a bi-annual checkup as he is part of the canine cancer research.
Happy Birthday and much love to all the iPups and remember Scarlett and George as always.”
Thank you so much to Tony for that wonderful update. Nikko has such a grand life in northern California with his family — I just wish I could figure out how to test puppies for the income-generating-gene.
Thank you also for making the effort to have Nikko in that longitudinal study — the researchers are tracking Berners through their lifetimes, beginning when they are roughly middle-age and healthy. We hope Nikko sets a longevity record in the study.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKO!
Let’s stick with California iPups, heading south to hear about Tag.doc from Tina. She shares:
“Tag is doing very well for an 8 year old berner. No significant signs of arthritis or any pain and he is still very active. His only ongoing problem is chronic pancreatitis, but, I am able to keep that in check with a special diet, so he is doing just fine.
We recently started back to our weekly agility classes. I don't plan on competing with Tag any longer. I don't want to risk him injuring himself. He doesn't recognize his aging status and will run full speed through courses without thought of getting hurt. At class he jumps 8" and still is crazy in love with playing agility. Even when I don't feel like getting out and going to class, I'm always glad I did because Tag's excitement for playing agility makes my heart smile. I'm hoping to start doing more obedience and rally with him. He loves to be doing something and he so enjoys working with me as a team. He remains my most intelligent berner and most enthusiastic worker.
Our most recent adventure was a trip to the national specialty.
Taggy didn't compete in anything, but he did participate in the veterans parade, get to play in the snow, attend berner-u, tour Rocky Mountain National Park, and just have a blast with me and his Aunt Tami on our road trip.
I can't even express how much I love Tag. He has all of my heart. He is a very perceptive and empathetic boy and an expert level cuddler. He gives me a lot of support when I'm having a rough day. I am hoping to have him around for many more years to come!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAG!
And that love for a dog, which all the iPups, here and gone, experience is the thing that make their lives so wonderful. Thank you, Tina, for expressing it so well and for Tag’s well-lived and well-loved life. It was so wonderful to see him (and Kidd) at the Specialty.
Such a special litter. In their honor, please have a special day.