Margaret Erwin's Blog (8)

Long time since I last wrote. Our summer highlight was a trip "Up North" Wisconsin. We rented two cabins on a lake, grown-up children flew in. I was worried that Ella and Harry would run away with all the smells in the woods luring them. Everyone helped keep eyes on them and they never wandered far. Ella was a natural swimmer and loved retrieving sticks thrown in the water. She would gracefully swim back with no splashing. Harry was another story - he thrashed around and decided that swimming… Continue

The puppies are doing great! It is so interesting so see their different personalities coming out. We are not sure who is the "boss" as it varies daily. Harry is much smaller and slighter built than Ella and she at times bullies him. He eventually decides he has had enough and gives a real growl and snip. Ella loves to play and tease, Harry is a lover and snuggler. We picked them up at the kennel at 4pm and Louanne (kennel owner) said to expect them to be exhausted. Harry- yes - so tired he… Continue

"Harry" is here! It turns out that Henry never really was a pet, has been in outside kennel for the last 6 weeks. My husband, Dewey, hated the name Henry, so Harry it is. Transfered Harry in Peru, ILL - extremely dirty, smelled like a barn. Got home at 10:30 pm, Ella was veryyyyyy excited! Harry looks nothing like Ella - much more of a poodle body and very skinny right now. he promptly pooped on the rug of course. After a shower and shampoo with Dewey he didn't smell quite as bad . Although… Continue

Today is the day! I am meeting the breeder in northern ill around 7pm tonight( they are on their way to NY). When we get home around midnight do you think he'll be ready to go in his kennel for the night - not! Plus, I am sure that Ella is going to be very excited. I have been bragging to everyone how perfect our little girl is. Well, she does have some faults! Discovered a few piles of poop in the lower level(we seldom go down there). Guess she is not ready to be alone when I am gone. Plus, we… Continue

We are starting to get cold feet! Ella is such a perfect puppy - are we asking for trouble? We have twin boys (now 29), one is very quiet and was always obedient, the other was an exhausting child. The breeder says that Henry has no issues. It was hard not to compare the boys as they were growing up as they are so different. You love all your children but sometimes don't like them!! Zachary, despite being hyper, is much more sensitive and loving. Marshall , the quiet one, is so considerate and… Continue

Last Tuesday the golf course dog "Mary" came by twice to play with Ella and she had so much fun! When Mary left Ella looked so forelorn. That evening I emailed the breeder and asked if there was any chance they would let go of Henry,whom they had kept from the litter. They have decided to scale down their operation and were discussing if they could possibly let go of Henry! Soooooooo, I am meeting them in Northern ILL next Sunday and transfer Henry!! Down side is that he is not housebroken, but… Continue

Well,we accidentally found out that she can swim! This weekend we were walking near one of the ponds in our development and she took off in a run to leap in the water. Under she went and popped up with a surprise look on her face. we were about to jump in after her, but she swam to the bank. Must be the poodle part of her. I don't know if Bernese Mountain dogs like water. Will have to check that out.