AND, IN THE NEWS, . . .

We're still in the Dog Days of Summer. Well at least summer; though, officially, I think the Dog days may have passed. Perhaps mentally still in the Dog days.

Now that we're into September, I've read some women bloggers who are finding time a bit long on their hands. These are SAHMs — stay at home moms. They are almost at the "hardly know what to do with myself" stage, now that their darlings have gone back to school. The house is empty all day, except for themselves, some Canines, and a few other Furry Creatures.

So, to bring some light into their lives, and perhaps yours, Bear has been rounding up some news. (You can take the Bear out of the newsroom, but you can't take the newsroom out of the Bear.)

Our top story: The Dog who thought he was a politician.

We also have a story about a Bear, who had a misadventure in the land of the Humans. (Thanks to our correspondent, Lydia, in Oregon, who dug up the Bear facts on this one.)

And, a major announcement from The Bear Party, my favourite politicians.

Turning to sports, the World Cup of Rugby begins this week in New Zealand. Canada, ever the non-contender, is up against some tough opposition. Our correspondent, Richard, in Brisbane, Australia, (also knows as BrisVegas) will have updates for us. If he doesn't over-celebrate.

And, that's the news.

BUSY PUPPIES

The seasons are beginning to change on the Canadian Prairies. The greens of summer are slowly shifting to the golds of autumn, as you can see in our neighbour's tree.


The garden in changing, too, thanks to the help from the puppies.

(Just about everything has been flattened.)

In the meantime, Nuala and Sadie are still trying to sort out who's toys are whose.


Nuala usually "starts" things; Sadie usually "finishes" them. Nonetheless, Nuala walks around as pleased as Punch with herself.


The puppies get their first full checkup from their doctor (our long-time vet) next week, including their second shots. After that, they should (I hope) have sufficient immunity that we can take them out for short walks. We got Sadie so she could take me for walks. And it is she who will probably take me. (As I understand it, her mom weighs about 50 pounds and her dad about 80, so these will not likely be small dogs.) We'll wait and see.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS TIPS (3)

This is the latest in the series.

1. Lie with your back flat on the floor (knees bent if you wish).

2. Set your 20 pound dog across your chest -- nose to one side of your body, tail to the other.

3. Bend your arms at the elbows, so the back of your hands rest on your shoulders (or at least close to the shoulders).

4. Cradle your dog's hips in the palm of one hand, and your dog's shoulders in the other hand.

5. Lift your dog by extending your arms straight up.

Recommended by the dynamic duo of Nuala and Sadie (who get to alternate).

Warning: Don't try this if you haven't done the earlier exercises (i.e., Health and Fitness Tips).

HEALTH AND FITNESS TIPS (2)

Last week, I gave you my first "Health and Fitness Tip." Summer is drawing to close, what better time to focus on being healthy and shapely? So the Bear is sharing the second lesson in the program.

1. Cradle your 15 pound dog in your arms, in front of you. (Dogs are now too big to hold in a single arm).

2. With feet shoulder-width apart (or slightly wider), and back straight, slowly bend your knees until you're in a kind of squatting position. (Don't go down too far -- you may not be able to get back up.)

3. Raise yourself to a full standing position. Do this several times a day.

Excellent cardio workout; ideal for flattening the tummy.

Recommended by the dynamic duo of Nuala and Sadie (who get to alternate).

Danger: do not attempt this until you have successfully completed lesson one, and survived. If you've waited too long to start lesson one, forget this program. Lesson one is only for people who have gone to the small dogs.

PUPPY UPDADTE

It's been about a week and a half since Nuala and Sadie arrived at our place. And it has been a busy time. The biggest challenge has been to work out with them their eat-sleep-play-potty cycle. They've been pretty good at teaching us; we still have a few "accidents," but not many.

They still don't know how to relax in each other's company. The minute they are together, they're "roughing around." As in "play fighting." Which is why we can't all be together as often as we want. I trust they'll get over that stage.

Our next door neighbour saw Sadie again yesterday, the first time since their introduction. C. was saying how much Sadie had grown. We don't notice the growth that much, because we see them all the time. (But I remember our daughter-in-law's dog, and how much it grew from week to week.) In that regard, Sadie is certainly heavier than Nuala, and I'm sure she has gained weight. At this point, Nuala is slightly taller than Sadie.

They both like to sleep (often on our beds). They like to play with their toys -- both inside and outside. We have a natural amphitheatre at the far end of the back of the year (where our lot slopes down towards the river). While they like to run up and down the hills, they often roll down -- simply because they're still not all that steady on their little legs.

One other thing. They really like to help in the garden.

But perhaps "help" isn't exactly the word I'm seeking.

I'll have more in due course.

Oh, you're wondering how we are doing? Exhausted!
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HEALTH AND FITNESS TIPS

I know it is summer, but what better time to stay healthy and shapely? So the Bear has developed a new fitness program. Here's the first lesson.

1. Cradle a 10 pound dog in your left arm (between elbow and hand).

2. Cradle a 10 pound dog in your right arm (between elbow and hand).

3. Walk up and down a flight of stairs (say a dozen stairs) multiple times a day.

Excellent cardio workout; ideal for flattening the tummy.

Recommended by the dynamic duo of Nuala and Sadie.

Lesson two next week (if you've done lesson one, and survived).

THE PATTER OF LITTLE . . . PAWS

Our time of "expecting" is over. The twins have arrived.

This is Nuala (pronounced NEW-lah)

This is Sadie (SAY-dee)

Because of municipal ordinances, we've had to disguise our Bear babies as Standard Poodles. (Our civic administration is very particular about what sorts of animals can be kept within the bounds of our community. One neighbour had a goat -- yup, a goat -- just across the back lane from us. Said neighbour was told, in no uncertain terms, "that goat's got to go!" No sense of humour whatsoever in our city's bureaucracy.)

The twins were born June 11th, two of a litter of seven, thought they arrived at our house just the day before yesterday (Thursday). They both weigh about five kilos (roughly ten pounds); Sadie is slightly larger than Nuala, though you can't tell through all that fluff. Nuala tends to stick with G3 (aka Momma-bear), while Sadie hangs out with me. Sadie can climb the stairs already, after about a day of occasional training. We anticipate Nuala will catch up quite soon. They have been good about teaching us their needs, and we're having fewer "accidents" all the time.

We'll keep you posted (from time to time) on what's happening.