Posted on by agilejack

Big news! Welcome Bruno!

A lot has been going on since I last posted on December 17. That’s almost three months ago!

First, I have dived head first into retirement and absolutely love it! I have been amazed that there wasn’t more adjustment time needed to move from work to retirement. I slipped into my new life easily and enthusiastically!

Before I lost Bender in December, I had let a border collie breeder in northern Utah know that I was interested in a puppy from a litter she was expecting. The mother is a half sister to Rico and she is a very talented sheep dog. They have the same mother. Rico and the mother are grand niece and nephew of Bender. I had wanted a puppy from this same mother a few years ago but there was only one puppy so I was out of luck. But this one worked out and the litter was born on December 6.

My friend Linda flew up to Portland in January and we planned to drive to Utah to pick up the puppy, and then drive home. But luck would have it that the breeder had a friend who could drive the puppy and one of his litter mates to Eastern Oregon where we could pick him up… saving a lot of driving and time. This friend shortened our trip even more and had us meet her in Hermiston, Oregon, on January 25. That’s a a three hour drive one way, compared to what would have been about 12 hours one way!

And in no time I had this guy in my arms! This was the moment Bruno and I met!

I named him Bruno after my uncle who loomed large in my childhood. He was my mom’s only brother. I asked my uncle’s twin sister, now nearly 100, if she was ok if I named a puppy Bruno and she LOVED it! Of course, she had named a cat Zeke, after her father/my grandfather.

He was so scared! Imagine what he had been through over the previous 24 hours: He left his mom and litter mates to travel with one litter mate for 8 hours with a stranger. Then his littermate was handed off to his new owner. He spent the night in a strange place with no siblings. Then the next day he was back in the car and handed off, yet again, to total strangers.

But within a few seconds of introducing myself and telling him how wonderful he was, he seemed to know that I was his! He nestled into his crate in the back of the car and didn’t make a peep on the three-hour ride back to Portland.

By the time we got home, he seemed perfectly happy to be where he was.

He was only 7 weeks old when I got him and so tiny! He came to me a week earlier than what is typical because that’s when his ride was available. And he never looked back!

Since my friend was here visiting and we didn’t have to make that long drive to Utah, we had time on our hands to have some adventures. Bruno hadn’t had all his vaccines so he was a bit limited in his exposure to the environment.

Knowing that we would want to make a trip to the coast and knowing that Bruno would not be able to be on the ground because of his unvaccinated state, I whipped up a sling bag so I could carry him comfortably. We took it for a spin on a walk around my neighborhood.

He was so good! Once we got him in the bag he rode along happily and didn’t make a fuss at all. Several days later we all shared Bruno’s first trip to the Oregon Coast.

He rode in that bag and soaked up everything he saw, smelled and felt. And he was such a good puppy! It will be so much fun when he’s fully vaccinated and can join Rico in a rousing beach run.

Rico has been adjusting well. He was not in love with the puppy in the beginning. He seemed a bit horrified that this little whirlwind was so intent on convincing him to play. But he has been very tolerant and has corrected the puppy appropriately occasionally. I call him “Rico the Saint.” This video shows how patient Rico is with Bruno.

Rico has warmed up to Bruno more and more over the last couple weeks. They even wrestle and tug on toys together. Rico and I will both be very happy when Bruno’s puppy teeth are gone!

I’ve been training some little behaviors with Bruno, but mostly I want him to have fun being a puppy. It’s amazing how much they learn from play. But he is learning all the time, whether I want him to or not, so I am being mindful of what he’s learning!

Here’s a cute thing the breeder taught the puppies. They learned to sit nicely to get what they want. Bruno learned quickly that he got his meals in the puppy pen in the dining room. He was only eight weeks old in this video!

Oh, did I mention that he LOVES food? I’ve never had a puppy who is food crazy like this puppy is!!! You should see how enthusiastic he is about ice cream!

Bruno has continued to grow and turned 13 weeks old yesterday. I weighed him with me on the bathroom scale yesterday and he is around 21 lbs! He’s beefy! And he’s so handsome. This is him taken yesterday. He will be a looker when he’s fully grown. His breeder says he looks like his mom at this age, but more masculine.

Here’s some photos showing how much he’s grown. They are in chronological order. (you can click on each photo to enlarge.)

And his ears… I just LOVE natural prick ears on a border collie and am so happy that his are up and staying that way!

Now that he’s fully vaccinated he has been joining us on our daily walks. He is very impressed with himself and is happy to join Rico in this activity. I love this video.

It feels right to be walking two dogs again.

I’ve been trying to give Bruno lots of new experiences… new places to see… new people to meet… new things to experience. His breeding should bring a solid temperament but good socialization is important too. So he’s been having visitors, has visited friends, and has met and played with a lot of new dogs.

His breeding also means that he should have great potential in sheep herding. His parents are both quite accomplished. He won’t have the chance to work sheep for some time now. I did carry him out into the sheep field with me a couple weeks ago and he was very keen to meet the sheep! It will be fun to see how he does once the time comes.

I haven’t had a puppy for nine years. I had forgotten how much work they are! But for now, I’m just enjoying him being a puppy and doing what I can to make sure he’s a good dog.

I’ll close with this video of Bruno playing with a box a few weeks ago. This is just pure joy!

48 Replies to “Big news! Welcome Bruno!”

  3. He is handsome Anne, and it looks and sounds as if this little guy is bringing a bundle of joy with him. I’m so very happy for the three of you.

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  5. Thats so cool, we got a new pup about then, she’s 15 wks now. Border, aussie, huntaway. Quite the little spitfire! It’ll be fun following you and Bruno.

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  10. Oh Anne, I so happy for you. He is a beautiful dog and will make all the puppy work worth the effort.

    We got a Westie puppy a year ago and she (Cami) is the love of our life!! So much work but she’s learning to be good. Terriers are stubborn but she does her best to listen and make us happy.

    Thanks for sharing!!

    Mary

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  12. so happy you’ve resurfaced. You’ve been lying low since retirement, but I keep seeing your quilt resurrected via the KF chat group. Will you still be quilting?I have always loved your careful descriptions and sharing. I still have many scraps of the Kaffe collection to use up and you’re always an inspiration. glad you’re back……Becky

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  14. I smiled all the way through this heart warming story! Bruno is so handsome and lovable! Congratulations! I eagerly await more stories of adventure from you, Rico and Bruno!

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  16. what a cutie patootie!! We have a 6 mo old puppy who I potty trained very quickly by tying a bell on the patio door. Within a week he learned to ring the bell and go outside-they are just amazing creatures!

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  23. You timed your retirement perfectly, think how hard it would have been to leave to go to work every day with a new puppy at home. Now you get to enjoy every minute! I love the little black dot by his nose.

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  25. I’ve been watching him growing on Facebook. Such a great puppy. We all felt sadness when you lost Bender. He was such a looker. But it seems you’ve got a new boy to train to wear hats and wrap in quilts. I’m sure his intelligence will become a strong point. The potential is there. Congrats!! On both retirement and Bruno. The name suits him.

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  26. your new puppy is so cute. Over time I have enjoyed your pictures of the dogs. That is a very lucky puppy. You have taught me a lot with your quilting suggestions. I have missed your posts. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I am so happy for you. Cried when you lost Bender. Your Bruno is absolutely adorable. Keep up the pictures please

      Congratulations.

      Maureen Epson

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  32. What a cutie! Our neighbor had a Shepard about that same age. I will have to ask her where they got her. We live in Southern Idaho.

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  33. Such a wonderful story. Good for you all!  You look truly happy as a new puppy momma.  👏🥰. NancySent from my iPhone

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  34. Congratulations! He is beautiful and smart! The best combination! I am glad you are enjoying retirement! My husband retired five years ago and says it’s the best job he’s ever had! 😆

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  35. Welcome back! Glad you are enjoying retirement & your new little friend! Such glee! Look forward to seeing Bruno as he grows & changes, & his personality. Glad Rico isn’t too jealous!

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  36. Congratulations! That’s wonderful news! My husband and I rescued a smooth coated Border Collie last fall and she’s a wonderful companion.

    Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg ________________________________

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  38. What a smart, sweet pup! Oh so much work, but the best investment for happy times in the future. Walking two dogs. I often feel like I’m driving a stagecoach!

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  39. Quel bonheur de te retrouver, en bonne santé et pleine de peps, ton nouveau chien est magnifique. Tu manques à la toile quand tu ne publies rien. Cela fait longtemps que je voulais te dire que le village Suisse de ton nom est le village ou sont fabriqués les couteaux suisses Victorinox. J’ai 78 ans et je suis aussi à la retraite, c’est un vrai bonheur de pouvoir profiter pleinement de notre vie, je te souhaite une très bonne continuation et ne nous laisse pas si longtemps sans nouvelles

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  40. Congratulations on Bruno! My baby Rottweiler Rain is a year and a half. No video showed up in my email. Would love to see it. So glad you are posting again. Debbie

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  45. Bruno is adorable! While I am more of a cat person myself I love all animals and have had dogs for pets in the past. I forgot how much fun a puppy can be. Bruno is very smart and will learn very quickly with Rico to guide him. They are both very lucky to have each other as companions and you as their pet parent. Congrats!

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  46. So happy for you and for Bruno. He is indeed a looker. Bruno has kind eyes and seems to be very intelligent. Bruno has landed in the arms of such a dog lover. I have enjoyed getting your posts for a long time, since I am a dog lover and quilter too. Enjoy that baby, congratulations!

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