Bailey has become a Vegetarian

Bailey's new treat is a big carrot. Loves 'em.

Mikey, Tyler, & Bailey....

Kathy and Jim Bennett's son Mikey and his friend Tyler came for dinner and ended up battling Bailey for an hour.

Lunch with Arseniy Pisarev of Kyrgyzstan

Arseniy Pisarev of Kyrgyzstan came to lunch today. A fifteen year old sophomore Exchange Student at Mountain Valley High School, Arseniy has become friends with Luiz Ristow via Facebook. He asked Luiz what he should have for lunch here, and Luiz said, "Mac & Cheese..."

Gearing up for a -10 degree F walk....

It's a bit chilly out.

Sleepover Camp

Bailey spent the past two days in Sleepover Camp at Worthley Pond with Jane McCarthy at The Proper Pooch. Jane has three well-mannered pups. Bailey's favorite is Pete. Over the past couple of days Jane took the crew for a romp across the Pond.

Pete and Bailey play and snooze and play some more. If you're looking for a safe place of learning for your favorite furry son or daughter... give Jane a call at The Proper Pooch.

Here's Pete... and Bailey this evening collapsed after his sleepover.

Baby, it's cold outside...

This morning, -1 degree F outside when we awoke and a balmy 56 degrees in the kitchen! But no worries, the pellet stove cranked away, and we hunkered down in the dining room for writing, snoozing, and lap time.

Baby, it's cold outside...

After the big storm the other day, the Bailster enjoyed the deep, feathery snow.

Baby, it's cold outside...

Hiking the mountain out back of our house.

Back in the day...

Back in the day...

Grandmother Estelle sent a number of photographs of Bailey as a youngster for Christmas. Here's one of Maggie and her pups. Bailey is in front of his mom... Thanks, Estelle! Hi Grandpa Ralph!

Another one bites the dust...

Bailey's Graveyard

The average life span of a stuffed animal gift in the Kent household:

1 - 7 minutes.

An afternoon stroll: Hanging with the guys (and Jane!)

Today, Bailey took a walk with his teacher Jane, his buddy Pete (big fluffy-white pup), and his other friends at The Proper Pooch. A good run was had by all... Bailey's snoring away in my office right now.

Smart Dog, Intelligent Dog...

Auntie Jan's gift of goodies...

Thanks, Auntie Jan, for the New Year's goodies!

Sniffing out the goods....

Posing with a friend....

Meeting Heather at Shibles Hall, UMaine

Editing Rich's book through a mind meld...

Waiting patiently

Center Hill on New Years Eve

We hiked around Weld today--up Center Hill and around the snow mobile trails. The temps got up to 40 degrees! Too high for winter....

(Click to enlarge)

Pete, Bubba, Gabby, & Jane make the newspaper!

Bailey's buddy Pete out for a walk with his family!

Hiking the Mountains

I took Bailey for a 70 minute hike into the mountains behind my home. He loved the freedom of running without a leash.

GOT SNOW?

My friend Gayle asked this morning, Did Bailey slither through the snow? And he did. Long and lean and stretched out fully, he lavished in today's 8 inches as if swimming in a heated pool. Berners know how to live life fully... now, if he could only shovel!

Boxing Day... the day of the dogs

Boxing Day... former athletes and friends pop by

Way too much Christmas....

After presents, a short mountain hike, playing with cousin Zellie, and too many treats, this happy pup is ready for bed.

Merry Christmas

& Good Night!

THANK YOU SANTA BARTASH! WooFhoo! A napsack for hiking!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! But, alas... It's All About the Book.

This holiday, it's all about the book. I'm happy as a puppy working on this project. And Bailey? As long as those peanut butter treats keep on coming, he can live without the mistletoe, tinsel, The Jolly Elf, a tree, presents--well, maybe a couple--or an electric car set that goes round and round. A bit Grinchy or not here on Prospect Avenue, we wish our family and friends a ... Joyous Christmas!

A present from the Bartashes!

Since we've had no mention in the Kent household about Chris....shsssh...mas, Bailey is a bit confused by the big gift from the Bartash family pets. We'll wait until tomorrow to open the large package. The stuffed skunk pet has already been devoured, and happily so.

Thanks, Barbara & John & Furry Children!

For our Christian friends... remember, click to enlarge!

Looking for Santa? Nah, hoping Victoria, his God-Dog-Mom will visit!

Bailey is on restricted activity ... a case of watchful waiting on his belly button hernia.... poor boy. Dad may have let the little guy play too much this past week following his initial surgery. Bad Rich, bad Rich....

The working dog surfaces

Today, upstairs in my office, Bailey showed himself as the work dog his ancestry led him to be. Here he is looking out the window watching the snow fall and my neighbors shovel. In this photo I can see the adult dog Bailey is becoming. He's just a few days shy of 7 months. In days gone by, Bernese Mountain Dogs pulled carts for their farmers and kept watch on the comings and goings on the homestead.

Bailey's future?

Dear God-Dog in Heaven, howl be thy name... Remember, click on the letter to enlarge.

Neighborhood snowpeople

Last week we walked through our neighborhood two days after our first real snow storm. Our neighbors just down the street were outside on their lawn... Perhaps waiting for a taxi? Taking in a bit of the late fall sunshine? Just hanging...

Zonked... 7 degrees F outside, and Bailey has made his choice for the morning....

Get Well cards from neighbors Bapu the Great and Minga the Future Friend

Bailey at Chapel....

Please don't send me to Uncle Dr. Fred's for THAT again!

Bailey's Plea to Uncle Dr. Fred & Staff... didn't work! (click to enlarge photos)