Merry Christmathzs!

Merry Christmathzs Dadthzs!

As you know, I've been at Grandpa's for a few days.  On Saturday, my day played out like an old familiar Christmas tune:  "Over the (Mississippi) River and through the woods, to Grandmothers house we go....."  I got to spend the day with Grandma Helen's family in Minneapolis.  I wore my new outfit and Collin took these portraits of me.  I felt really special.

Today, I'm back to work later in the morning, and then back to Camp Carnelian tonight.  The forecast is for bitter cold the next whole week, so I doubt we will be doing much outside.  It's looking like a week of hunkering down after work with a blanket and some popcorn.  That really doesn't sound so bad actually.

I think we're hosting a party on New Years Eve.  I'll make sure to send some pictures in my next note.

Love,
Your handsome 12 year old Bruiser

PS:  Thanks for the new sweater and plush toy for my birthday! 
PPS:  Summer says thanks for her new sweater and plush toy too!

Bruiser "Danger" Bottolfson is back! In a snow globe!

Hi Dadthzs,

Today is so awesome I had to write ASAP!

I didn't have to go to work today.  I stayed home with Summer and we helped Brett in his home office.  The best part about working from home is that we usually get a day time walk when it's most light outside.  I always feel a little safer when it's light out.

So, we took our normal walk over the lunch hour (it just started snowing again):

Then we got back and I got to walk on the lake for the first time!!  Brett went out there first to test it, but then Summer and I got to follow.  This was SO FUN Dadthzs!!  The snow is falling and it's so pretty outside. Pretty exhilarating for me! 

Collin and grandpa are coming to pick me up at the office on Friday afternoon.  I have a spa appointment Friday morning so I'm fresh for the holidays.  Then I will be at Camp Bottolfson until next Tuesday, spending both Christmas (and my birthday) there.  I hear the people talking about how cold it's going to get here on my birthday - not sure if the high temp will reach zero.  So I'm hoping Collin or grandpa makes a fire in the fireplace and let's me stay snuggly warm inside.

Before I sign off, Auntie Jill gave me an early birthday present yesterday when we stopped by on our way home from work.  She said I might need to step up my wardrobe if I'm going to apply for a new job next year when we move to Colorado Springs.  Auntie Jill said not all jobs are as laid back in their dress code as we are at Autumn.  Here's the new outfit she got for me:

Damn, I'm handsome and distinguished.

HO HO HO,

Bruiser "Danger" Bottolfson

Holiday decorating, SNOW SUCKS, and Christmas lists

Hi Dadthzs,

I want to start by letting you know I'm feeling much better after almost a week of medicine in my ears.  Getting that stuff squirted in my ears was so gross and irritating, but it sure made me feel better quick.  I'm back to 100%.

Last Sunday, when the Packers were getting their fannies handed to them by Cleveland (until Q4), JuJu decided she was going to put some Christmas decorations up around the house.  Little did I realize how much exercise that would be for me.  JuJu went downstairs to get a box out of the closet, and I followed her downstairs.  JuJu brought the box upstairs to unpack, and I followed her back up.  Over and over and over until I finally figured out I could save myself some effort and park my butt on the landing.  I never got too far away from JuJu and the action after that.  (Plus I can see the popcorn machine from where I'm sitting, and that's never a bad thing)

We've still been walking a lot. In fact last weekend we did 2 walks per day for about 7.5 miles total on the weekend.  We have snow now & my paws get all packed when we walk through the field at Tucker's house.  A week ago, Brett bought me some nice/rugged boots but I had those kicked off my paws in the first 1/4 mile.  So that didn't help.  Now that I've got a solid week of snow walking behind me, it's getting easier.  On Thanksgiving, Grandpa Bruce told JuJu not to baby me & get me boots.  I think Grandpa's words were "he needs to toughen up."  Well, I'm getting tougher Dadthzs - and I'm learning to quickly pick the snowballs out of my paws so I don't fall too far behind on our walks.  Kasey told me she has the same problem and gave me tips on how to dig it out.  Kasey is a great friend.

Less than 2 weeks to my birthday & Christmas!  I'm getting my fluff & puff on 12/22 so I'll be looking super sharp and fresh for both events.  Did you get my list to walk down to Santa?  In the event that it missed the last flight, here is a quick recap.  (Auntie Jill also asked for this list - I think I'm getting presents from her too!)

• Treats
• Zukes chicken filets are my favorite
• Greenies
• Bully stick
• I tried some new salmon treats & really liked them 
• Stuffed animal (I have torn up snake & skunk, as well as a penguin & sheep that Summer got last year)

It's kind of sad that I can't think of anything more for my list.  I have more than most dogs, and this time of year I feel bad for other dogs who don't have a warm & safe place to live, or people to love on them everyday.  I think about my new friend Maggie Sandberg who spent most of her life outside competing with mean dogs for food and a place to take short naps, when I get fed twice a day PLUS treats and sleep on a Tempurpedic bed.  I am beyond blessed to have so many people in my life who love me & tell me so every day.  Then I have the bonus of butt scratches, treats, walks & belly rubs.  I remain the humble and grateful dog you raised, Dadthzs.  I guess I'm just feeling extra grateful today & a little nostalgic during the holidays.

Say hi to Santa & I'll write again soon.

Love,

Bruiser

A visit to see Dr. Jay + I met more new friends

Hey Dadthzs,

Don't be super alarmed by the title of today's blog post.  I AM OK!!

Let's start with today's trip to see Dr. Jay. 

Yesterday, JuJu noticed that I kept shaking my head side to side, flapping my ears.  She looked in my ears with a flashlight (I don't know why I'm so scared of that, but I really don't like it), and then dug around in my ears a little with a paper towel.  Not much came out, so she thought maybe I had a little spider bite or something.  Then today, I started out in the morning with a lot of head shaking and ear flapping so she knew it was something more.  Brett came & picked me up on my lunch hour and took me to see Dr. Jay.  I was immediately diagnosed with a double ear infection.  (So much for JuJu's spider bite diagnosis - she should just stick to being the treat dispenser.)  Now how in the world would I get that when I haven't been swimming in at least 2 months?  I haven't shown any signs of discomfort.  Maybe I'm tougher than these people give me credit for?   Now I have to get a nightly treatment of Automax squirted in my ears, before bed.  Brett is an expert at administering it because Summer has an ear infection all the time.  But this is going to involve more hands around my head, which I don't like at all.  I hope JuJu bought some good treats to get me through this.


Friday night I met Winnie, Izzy & Maggie.  They all belong to the Sandberg clan.  Summer has known Winnie & Izzy for a few years (in fact, Summer stayed overnight at their house when JuJu and B came out to Washington DC for your promotion ceremony).  Maggie is the newest addition, and Summer hadn't met her before either.  Here is the best picture JuJu could get with all 5 of us at the same time.  Auntie Shelley is giving us treats to keep us still.

Maggie is the black dog on the right.  She is only 7-8 months old and she came from an Indian reservation in North Dakota (hey, wasn't I born in North Dakota too?).  They called her a "rescue".  After getting to know her a little, I learned that she never got any love or any regular food her whole life prior to being rescued.  She had to sleep outside and didn't know where her next meal would come from.  She is still pretty skinny, but Dadthzs her heart is as big as mine!  She is a real love bug.  I think I figured out that "rescue" means she gets a new opportunity to use her gifts to bless others. 

The next red dog to the left is Winnie.  She is a rescue too. She is a really fast runner & was really nice and welcoming to me.  I think she's the quiet boss of the house. 

The white dog is Izzy.  She's an English Cream Retriever, so I think that means we must be relatives somehow.  She is really pretty, and she's super soft like me too. 

Then there's me!  Look how patiently I'm waiting for my turn.  Shelley has good treats & I was trying to make a good first impression.

Then you have Summer in the back row.  She's on her own program, and she likes to have her own space.  Some would call that a Diva, but she's my bud so I wouldn't say that (out loud).

So, Friday night the fur kids out numbered the humans 5:4.  The Sandbergs even let me sneak up on their couch after supper.  They are really good hosts.

Yesterday it was auntie Jill's birthday and we hosted the party at Camp Carnelian.  Jill invited 2 families they are real close with - The Guzzo's and the Brunette's - along with B and then the 4 of us who live at Camp.  I had already met the Guzzo's at Ryan's birthday party, so they gave me a warm and familiar welcome.  My 2 new friends are Andrew and Lorie Brunette, and guess what Dadthzs!  Lorie came with treats for me!!  She told JuJu in advance how excited she was to meet me.  The Brunette's lost their beloved Simon this year when he went to heaven.  I heard he looked a lot like me and he acted a lot like me too.  I keep hearing the word "swagger" when they talk about Simon.  I bet he and I would have been great friends.  We would have been the dynamic duo of "Swagger and Big Pimpin'".  The ladies wouldn't have had a chance!! I got a lot of attention from Miss Lorie.  She even sat on the hard wood floor just to be next to me.  Wow, I felt really special. 

Super fun weekend, and now we face another work week ahead.  Today's high temperature is almost record setting at 58 degrees.  By this time tomorrow the "feels like" temperature is going to be 5.  Yep.  Single digit 5.  JuJu gave me the furminator treatment yesterday & took out a lot of my soft undercoat.  I hope that wasn't a mistake.  I need function more than fashion now the rest of the winter. 

Hey, I almost forgot!  I got another new nickname.  Elli Bleu calls me "Little Boy Bru".  Elli is bringing Jodi over for dinner tonight.  I'm excited to see them both.

Love,

Your little boy Bru