Somewhere on a beach

Dadthzs,

I know you're somewhere on a beach right now, enjoying a break from the darkness and cold of your post in Thule.  I hope you are enjoying the sun and warmth.  Things have significantly warmed up here too, and we took full advantage of that this past weekend.

Saturday morning we got a weekend camper added to the roster - my friend Stella Matchey.  I first met Stella on New Years Eve this year, but JuJu didn't get a picture of her at that party.  As soon as Stella got to Camp on Saturday morning, we headed out to walk the lake with Kasey and Bailey.  We had a blast and walked 3.65 miles.  I did really well, especially considering we haven't been walking much lately in this bitter cold.  Here's all 5 of us with JuJu:

Both Summer and I had to take some Rimadyl Saturday afternoon, but it was worth it. 

Saturday night we had some Church with Stella (and Kasey too):

It's so nice when you have friends you can just be yourself with.  You know how much I love Kasey, and Stella is really a nice friend too.  She gives me just the right amount of attention and just the right amount of space.  Dadthzs, it was pretty funny all of us sleeping in JuJu and Brett's bedroom Saturday night. It was truly like camping.  Wait, kinda like Glamping actually.  We did great!

Sunday morning we were back on the lake and walked another 3 miles.  I try to introduce myself to all of the people out there as we walk by.  It feels so good to get fresh air and exercise!  

Sunday night we had friends over to watch the Vikings game.  That's all I'm going to say about that.

We are supposed to get a snow-nami today.  The weather geeks are guessing 4-12".  Summer and I stayed home from work today since Brett will be back to the home office by 12:00.  JuJu didn't want to take us out in the Brubaru if she didn't have to.  I'll keep you posted if we actually get some good snow totals.  It will make your time in the sun feel that much more special.

Love you Dadthzs,

Bru

A break from the deep freeze

Hi Dadthzs,

I finally got outside yesterday after 2 long weeks in the deep freeze!  Summer and I have had cabin fever really bad, and it felt so good to get outside.  Yesterday the temperature finally got to 20+something.  It felt like a heat wave, and I could actually take my time to go potty without freezing my noogies off.  (Oh wait, I don't have noogies anymore.  But if I had them, they would have been frozen the past 2 weeks).

Here we are, getting ready to go for our long walk on the lake:

We went for a 2 mile walk with Kasey & Bailey, and their parents, and Brett & JuJu.  Kasey's mom and dad found this awesome stuff on the internet called "Paw Wax" and it's designed for us red heads who get ice chunk build up in our paws.  Kasey shared some with me and it worked GREAT!  And way better than those embarrassing booties we tried a month ago.  I made it 2 miles and only had to stop 2-3 times to quickly pick at my paws.  Here we are on our walk:

Bailey is 4 months old now, and she has the energy to try and keep up with Summer and Kasey.  I just hang back, patient.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Halfway through the walk, Bailey slowed down and hung with me and we kept a pretty similar pace.  What a great day!

We also spent some time outside, burning boxes, shoveling the rink, and just goofing off.  I slept like a rock last night.  The fresh air did me good.

I am really looking forward to seeing you this weekend Dadthzs!  I can't believe how fast the first half of your assignment has gone.  I know after this trip I won't see you again until June, but I think it will go pretty fast if I can stay active and busy.  There is always some action at Camp, and work is keeping me busy too.  I just miss you a bunch and can't wait to see you.

Love,

Bru

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Camp Carnelian, where it's been so cold we haven't walked in a week!  Dadthzs, I can barely go potty without freezing my paws.  Summer and I have cabin fever so bad, and so do Brett and JuJu.  We've been cooped up inside and we are all dying to get out and get some fresh air.  It looks like we have a few more days to wait.  I am hoping for some really good walks this weekend when the temps are supposed to be back above zero.

So, what do we do at Camp when it's too cold to go outside?  We EAT!  And we DRINK!  And we wear the same sweat pants for 3 days in a row.  Ew, that sounds gross doesn't it?  Nobody said Camp was glamorous.  We are in survival mode.

On New Years Eve we had some friends over for games and appetizers.  It was really fun because Stella came over (JuJu forgot to get a picture of us) so we had 3 furkids, 4 teenagers & 6 adults.  We played games all night while we snacked.  Since this is my first NYE at Camp, I had no clue that NYE is a marathon, not a sprint.  Here is the evolution of my night:

10:30pm:  Already you can see, I'm down for the count.  The Walsh girls were so great to me & gave me lots of attention.  But I couldn't keep my eyes open any more.  (PS:  the Walsh girls are Colleen's kids - remember Colleen?  She was JuJu and Jill's 3rd sister growing up)

12:18am:  Happy New Year!  I am celebrating with my eyes closed.

Monday mid-morning (New Years Day):  Clearly, I had too much tequila!!  And no one offered me a Bloody Mary, so I napped.

Monday (New Years Day) we had put a brisket on the Big Green Egg the night before and it slow cooked all night.  Pastor John Cheese coached Brett through his first attempt on his own - making a brisket outside overnight when it's minus 18 is pretty tricky.  

When the humans were done eating, Pastor John conducted a church service for me, Summer and Elli Bleu.  That brisket was really delicious!!  We hadn't been to church with Pastor John Cheese in quite a while, so it tasted extra good in my opinion. 

So we closed 2017 on a cold note, but with a lot of warmth in our hearts, as we are grateful for our friends and family who help us get through cabin fever.  As we start 2018, on an equally cold note, I am looking forward to some walks on the lake pretty soon (Kasey's mom found some paw wax we are going to try), and I am also looking forward to seeing you soon when you come home again to visit.  

Until then, I've got my nose back to the grindstone at work.  It's certainly way better than being lazy on the couch all day!  

Happy New Year!!

Bruiser

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