My first Floatilla

Hi Dadthzs,

Last night I got to participate in my first Floatilla on the lake.  Here are some pictures, with commentary.

A Floatilla is when a bunch of boats connect with each other.  I hear the people call it "tie up".  Last night we tied up for Rob's birthday (Rob is my friend Kasey's dadthzs).  Here is Rob in the blue shirt. I think Dr. Cress in the green shirt thinks it's his birthday too.  (See what I mean now about how my weekend Counselor job is sometimes more time consuming than my full time week day job?)  You can see that I'm cautiously checking things out from my boat:

There were a lot of dogs on the Floatilla, and 2 of them were new friends.  They are sisters named Reece and Roci (Roci is pronounced "Rosie" and is short for Rociante, the name of Don Quixote's horse).  Reece didn't come off of her boat to say hi, but she is the little white dog on the picture above.  Roci, however, came over right away.  Roci is the same breed as Summer, just a horse of a different color (sorry, couldn't pass that up).  Roci tried to get fresh with me, then I tried to get fresh with her, but in the end we kept it strictly platonic.

I also got a lot of attention from Kasey's sister Ashley.  Ashley has watched Summer and me a few times when JuJu and Brett are gone too long.  She is really awesome and I love her a lot:

Last but not least - look at how my confidence grew from the cautious beginning of the night.  I actually climbed over the edge of my boat (with a little help) and over to the neighboring boat.  This is me on the Ripley's boat, out front without any safety gear.  My middle name is now "Danger":

I hope we have a few more Floatillas before the end of the season.  Last night was really fun!

Love, 

Bruiser "Danger" Bottolfson

I spent my first paycheck

Hi Dadthzs,

I got my first paycheck last Friday and I'm learning that can be a good thing, and a bad thing.  I haven't had to learn budgeting or money management until now, since you always provided for me. I still can't believe they pay me to greet people at Autumn - it's the best job I could ever dream of.  The pay for the weekend counseling job is sub-par for how hard I work, but when I balance the two jobs out, it's still a good gig overall.  So the good thing is, I'm earning!  The bad thing is, I'm spending!

Friday night after work, JuJu showed me how to shop on Amazon.com and I ordered myself a new bed. Summer has a Tempurpedic bed that I really like, but she doesn't like to share it much.  I ordered my own and had it shipped to the office so I could bring it home from work on Monday.  With all the exercise I'm getting, it sure feels nice to have a memory foam mattress to sleep on at night.  I even found a special deal on Amazon, and they shipped a free blanket (super soft) along with it.  I slept like a baby Monday & Tuesday night:

Highlight:  I also got to see Grandpa Bruce last week.  He came over all day Friday & he took Summer and me fishing on the pontoon. We spent a lot of time outside and just like I'd hoped, he noticed how well I navigate and balance on the dock, on the boat, and in the water.  Summer kind of acted up a little for Grandpa, and I told her she should be a better listener like me.  I am trying to mentor her on that, just like she's mentored me on lake living and managing a busy work and social calendar.  We are really becoming close friends and we are great for each other.

I got a lot of attention from Bruce and Gail Andrich this past weekend too.  They came to Camp Carnelian all the way from Milwaukee.  They pet me a lot and gave me a lot of love, and Summer and I did our best counseling and therapy work loving them back.  It was a win-win for everyone.

We have a mellow rest of the week and weekend ahead.  I'll talk to you next week.

Love you Dadthzs,

Bruiser

Full time work + Full time entertaining = One tired pup

Hi Dadthzs,

This full time gig is exhausting. When I first started as a guest at Camp Carnelian, I used to wake up JuJu at 5:30am for potty.  Now that I'm working full time, she has to wake me up to get me going during the week.  I am always fired up when I get to work - in fact I RUN through the front door & straight to Chris' desk.  Chris has the best treats!  I almost beat Summer to his desk on Monday.  I am working on my speed.

The weekends at Camp Carnelian are pretty busy.  I just finish up with greeting all week at Autumn, and now I have the crazy neighborhood to keep an eye on all weekend.  This past weekend was really something else - they had a big concert on the lake & we hosted about 70 people for a pig roast Sunday night.  It was really fun, and I ended up with a grease spot on my forehead when I tried to help the people carve the pig.  My friend Kasey ended up with 2 baths because she rolled in the grease.  Ooops!

Tomorrow Summer and I are going to Kasey's house for most of the day while Brett & JuJu are at a conference.  On Friday Grandpa Bruce is coming to stay with Summer and me for the second day of the conference. I'm so excited to see Grandpa Bruce again!  I bet I'll get to help him fish off the dock. I can't wait to show him how confident I am on the dock now, and how much better I'm swimming. I bet he is going to be impressed.

This weekend Brett's dad and his wife are coming from Milwaukee to stay with us for the weekend. They are real dog lovers, so I bet I'm going to get a lot of attention.  I think this weekend will be much more low key.  I need it.

I'll sign off with a picture from last night.  We took a spin around the lake after dinner.  See how confident I'm getting on the pontoon too?  I love boat rides so much.

Exhausted, 

Bruiser

PS:  Some people at Autumn and some neighborhood friends are following my blog now.  You know, all this time they never noticed my lisp until they started reading my blog.  JuJu said that I'm so handsome that no one pays attention to how I talk.  I am starting to feel objectified.  I am more than just a handsome face.  I hope these people realize I have brains and personality too.

Part Time Temp to Full Time Job

Hi Dadthzs,

You are going to be so proud of me!  I have been working hard, just like you said I should, and I was offered 2 full time jobs!

Job #1:  Full time Counselor at Camp Carnelian.

I have been actively participating as a guest at Camp Carnelian, and the management is so impressed they offered me a full time gig as Camp Counselor for 1 year.  Dadthzs, between you and me, these people need professional help and I feel like I'm the guy for the job.  I don't think this job pays much, but the rewards will be mine if I can straighten them out a little.  It's not just Brett & JuJu, it's the whole dang neighborhood.  They are all a little crazy.

Job #2:  Full time co-greeter at Autumn Transport

I am kicking butt at this too, so I'm going full time as of today.  I hope the counseling job doesn't wear me out too much.  I think I've got enough energy for both.

Here are a few pictures of my weekend highlights, along with some commentary.

Friday night we went to John & Jodi's.  I've been here a few times - here I am in their backyard. They have a fur kid named Elli Bleu and she is scared of fireworks, so I'm trying to coach her through that. Sometimes they call John "Pastor John" and he conducts a church service just for us furkids.  I think JuJu sent you a video of that Friday night.  I have officially converted to John's church, because the sermon comes straight from the grill, and fills both my tummy and my soul.

Saturday morning we did our usual walking route (2.4 miles) and I finally got to meet Phoebe.  She's a Newfie and she slobbers a lot, but she's really nice.

 Saturday night I had my first boat ride in the dark.  We hosted Chris & Lori from Richfield, and they wanted to go on a post-dinner ride around the lake.  Chris & Lori both praised me a lot and said I was a good boy.  Look how proud I sit!  I am really getting good at these boat rides.

Last but not least, I FINALLY got to meet Summer's half brother Tobey.  We went on a Sunday morning cruise with Tobey's family.  It was really nice to have another boy dog around.  So far its been all girls in the neighborhood.  (I guess I'm not really complaining about that because I really dig the girls, but it was nice to have a dude around for some bro time). Summer is much sassier with her brother than she is with me.  I think I bring a calming effect for Summer, which might be part of the reason I was offered the full time gig at Camp.

Grandpa Bruce is going to come to Camp Carnelian this Thursday for a few hours to sit with Summer and me while Brett & JuJu are out celebrating their birthdays on the golf course.  I am looking forward to hanging with him.  I miss seeing Grandpa everyday because he is so nice and he smells like you, but now that he's feeling better I think I'll see more of him which makes me happy.

I better get back to work.  They aren't much for micro managing here, but I don't want them to second guess their choice in giving me full time work.

Miss you dadthzs,
Bruiser

Working from home

Hi Dadthzs,

I am trying something new in my work today - working from home!  I put in a full morning at the Autumn office, and then Brett picked up Summer and me at noon.  We are now working from Brett's home office.

Let me tell ya, the carpet up here is much softer than my day job, but the conversations I overhear sound eerily familiar to the ones I've heard in the conference room and in JuJu's office.  These people sure talk a lot about trucks and drivers and logistics and budgets.

Just wanted to show you how I'm applying myself, using the knowledge gained at Autumn to provide relevant support to others in Transportation.  I think I've got a knack for this.  I might hit up Cousin Doug to see if he needs me at Marten.  I have a feeling my services could bring a premium.

Love,
Your Hard Working Bruiser

Camp Pine Acres

Dadthzs,

I am so sorry I haven't written in almost a week.  I have been so busy between work & being a Weekend Warrior.  There hasn't been much downtime.

I got to go back to Camp Pine Acres this past weekend!  It has been a few years since I was there last, but I remembered it right away.  It smells so good there.  And I can walk around wherever I want because it's safe.  It's heaven on earth for dogs.  Here are a few pics:

We got home to Camp Carnelian late on Saturday night.  Summer & I went out for potty before bedtime and when we came back in, JuJu said "time for bed".  I know what that means, so Summer and I trotted off to our room.  I don't know why JuJu laughed when she came in, because Summer and I were just listening to the instructions! 

On Sunday morning JuJu had to volunteer at the early shift at church, so Brett stayed home with us. As soon as she left, he asked me if I was ready for a good walk since it was finally cooler outside.  He didn't even spell it or call it a "W".  He said WALK!  So I ran to the mud room so he could put my collar on, and off we went.  I completed Summer's usual route (2.35 miles), kept up right along with Summer, and I wasn't even sore the rest of the day.  I think it's all this swimming I've been doing.  I feel great!

Today I am back at work.  It looks like we've got a pretty normal week ahead, so I'll check in when I've got a good story.  

Love,

Bruiser

People Magazine called

Hi Dadthzs,

JuJu took a call yesterday from People Magazine.  They wanted to schedule me for a photo shoot for "Sexiest Dog Alive 2017".  JuJu is getting my contract ready as I type this.  By the way, typing is so much easier now with my nails trimmed.

My spa day yesterday was amazing and I look really good!  You know I'm pretty humble & don't like to brag.  But dang it, I'm handsome as hell right now.  And I smell fantastic!

I started my antibiotic last night for the swimmers rash, and I also got some medicated shampoo that just goes on my belly where it's red.  JuJu gave me a little sponge bath on my belly last night because she didn't want to wreck my perfect spa haircut by going in the tub.  Today I'm much more comfortable, licking less and smiling more.

I'm not supposed to tell you this, but I have been experimenting with some different foods since I'm not eating so well.  This morning, I didn't want to take my thyroid medicine wrapped in American cheese anymore, so JuJu went all-Thelma on me and let me take it with ReddiWhip.  What a sweet way to start the day!  Last night I took my antibiotic with a Johnsonville brat.  I'm thinking if Bush's baked beans can have a spokesdog, why can't Johnsonville?  I better ask JuJu to add that addendum to my People Mag contract. 

Before I sign off for the day, I have to tell you how much I love my new job.  Everyone noticed my haircut today and commented how soft I am.  I got to sit in on another meeting in the conference room today & I learned about roofing shingles and Logistics.  

Nothing on the agenda tonight.  It sounds like we are just going to relax.  Tomorrow a gal named Ashley is coming to the house to play with me & Summer for the day while JuJu plays golf.  Ashley is from Kasey's family so I think she is going to bring Kasey with her for a super fun play date.  

Love from Camp Carnelian,

Bruiser Clooney

aka "SDA2017"