The Three Little Berners

... well, maybe not so little!

We are puppy-sitting this weekend.  

Remember Svenja, little miss yellow puppy?  

That's her in the middle.

Karma is on the left, Koda on the right.

They are having a lot of fun!

Holiday Pictures FAIL

As a photographer, I work with a lot of families, children, and the occasional pet.  I've received a lot of comments along the lines of "I want to learn my camera better, so I can take more pictures of my kids" That's a great idea ... in theory

My kids, and dogs are SO uncooperative with me.  The kids see my camera, and roll their eyes and frown ... the dogs see my camera, and think that they can misbehave if I'm "hiding" behind the camera, and not keeping a stern eye on them, lol

Here's pictures from our recent attempt at Christmas photos, feel free to laugh.

This one is the epitome of our photoshoot

I love how the dogs can't even be looking the same direction.  And the baby is too busy playing with leaves.  This will probably be our Christmas card picture though - it might not be perfect, but its real life, and I love it :)

 So, how awkward would it be to send out cards with just one of our kids pictures?

"Happy Holidays ... from the two who behaved" ;)

Picture update!

We have added a link to our instagram photos, which is where almost all our Berner pictures end up!

Here's a bunch of pictures just for fun though!

 Our Toddler and her BFF, Koda <3

Two Berners = no room on the bed for the people!

 Karma loves picking up the kids from school!

 Happy Belated Halloween! 

 Koda is so sweet with our 19 month old baby!

 Karma is a blanket thief!

Picture Overload

Dogs that sniff together ...

Frisbee Anyone?

Such a pretty Karma!

UhOh Karma!  No chasing kids!

Don't let that darling face fool you!  

KARMA IS SUCH A STINKER!

Koda, are you ready for the tea party?

(Such a good sport!)

Karma being covered with grass by our SweetPea toddler!

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish ... Berner.

Such a pretty Koda!

Yes, we deserve treats, see how well behaved we are?

Watching the snow falling outside the window.

Karma meeting new friends!

SweetPea loves her Koda, and Koda is so sweet to SweetPea!

Koda and Karma take turns 

coming with me to pick up the school kids

Koda: "please share some fishy-crackers, human puppy!"

Hope you enjoyed our pictures!  We've been so busy with life, that we haven't been blogging much.  We'll get back to writing soon!

Roughhousing

Geez Karma, you seriously want to roughhouse again?  

Can't we just relax for a bit?

 Relaxing is nice ... you should try it.

Wait ... I said RELAXING ... 

Pup, don't look at me like that ...

Seriously, I just want to relax ... I'm not here for you to attack.

You little punk, if I don't get to relax ...

 Hmmph. you aren't actually a piranha, Karma.  You're a little puppy.

Ugh, seriously? 

Fine pup, we'll play, bring it on.  

I win.

THE END

Puppies are here!!!

Born MAY 16, 2012

Last night, Dakota started hard labor, and the puppies came, one by one. The birth process took 8 hours, and I stayed up all night making sure Dakota and puppies were all okay. We are so proud of Dakota. There are 9 puppies - 4 girls and 5 boys.

Days 59-63

I'm ready for my Dakota-Girl to be done.  I hope the puppies arrive soon.  She just seems so miserable, and I can't stand it!  She doesn't seem to mind as much as I do, just lays around sleeping, and wags her tail intermittently, lol!

Despite my guess last week, I don't think they will come today or tonight ... maybe tomorrow?

Mother's Day

Miss Dakota is one exhausted pregnant dog.  We went to the park today, and I believe that is her last outing before the pups arrive, she gets worn out pretty quickly.  She's happiest to just lay down, either on the cool tile, or in her whelping box, and keep quiet. 

We're in puppy-watch time!

Keep checking back, we will be posting once they arrive!

101

Not 101 dalmatians.  Not 101 puppies.

101 Pounds.

At the vet today, that was Dakota's weight. 101 pounds!  She's actually right on target with her weight gain, and looking beautiful and healthy.  Puppies could arrive anytime from today through the end of next week.  It's just a waiting game now.  We are starting to get guesses about when the pups will arrive.  One friend thinks the pups will arrive on Mother's Day (I have no complains about that!).  I think maybe Monday or Tuesday.  There's no telling though.   As for puppies, we will be happy with any healthy puppies and a healthy mama dog.  Especially a healthy Mama Dakota.

My poor sweet Dakota.  She can't lay down normal anymore, she has to shift her belly over.  And the SNORING.  I would guess its the puppies pressing up in her ribs, but the poor thing has a bit of a noisy snore now.

She's still our Darling Miss Dakota though!

for fun ...

While checking out the whelping box, Dakota and baby SweetPea got into a panting competition.

I'm not sure who ended up winning.

So close!

Tomorrow is 54-57 days of Dakota's pregnancy.  Whelping usually occurs between days 57 and 65.  I hope Dakota is ready sooner than later, because she's starting to get uncomfortable.

Perhaps I'm just over sensitive, since I've had 4 children, and remember the feeling of them shoving their feet into my ribs.  I also had my babies one at a time, and I imagine multiples are tough (though I suppose its just not the same for dogs)

Regardless, Dakota is a very happy girl.  Berners have such happy dispositions, and they seem to be smiling all the time . . .

Dakota's tummy.  It's hard to get a good picture.  Because she was in such good shape going into this pregnancy, she holds the puppies well.  To us, she looks huge pregnant, but to others she probably just looks like a chubby berner.

I'm amazed how patient she still is with our little SweetPea.  I was so cranky when I was pregnant.  Dakota is a bit cranky when it comes to strangers, but with our family, she is so sweet.  We've had to watch the kids extra close, but only because they are so used to just flopping down with Dakota, that they forget to be extra gentle and careful around her right now, and Dakota doesn't mind one bit.  Its just us grown ups that are worry-warts.

This seems to be Dakota's natural state ALL THE TIME now.  She was a mellow, relaxed "pillow-pet" before, but now the only time she gets moving is if she hears me get the keys to the car.  Unfortunately, the car rides have mellowed out too, since her balance is so off that I worry about her when I turn corners, and she's too big to fit comfortably on "her" seat.

Before you start to feel too bad for Dakota, know that she is being treated like a princess.  She gets eggs to keep her protein up.  We invite her on to the furniture regularly, so she gets the cushiest seats in the house.  Plus, she has been transitioned to yummy puppy food to prepare for nursing her pups.  She's pregnant and exhausted, but oh so loved.