THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE THREAD WHERE I INTRODUCE YOU ALL TO MY EXCELLENT NEW PUPPY HENRY (Edit: RIP February 2017)

I think I really seriously want a berner. I want everything that you described, minimal barking (or just at least not incessant), largeness, and cuddles are a MUST. Am just v scared that the lifespan of these things is like 7 years.

the plus side is that current responsible breeding is helping the lifespan - all of henrys relatives have made it past 10 years. it is scary though, and was my biggest concern when picking this breed. at the risk of sounding cliche, however, this is the best most loving dog i've ever had, and frankly this first (less than year) has been so great and so emotionally rewarding that the longevity doesn't really matter to me anymore (i mean obv i would prefer that he lived forever, but you know, i get it.)

something that has stuck w/me is that when henry was 3 months old, we brought him to a bike race in stillwater and carried him around for a while (technically there was some walking involved, but he was pudgy and short-legged, so it was mostly carrying). when we got into the crowd, a dude w/ a berner made his way over and waxed poetic about how you would never have a dog that loved you so much and how it was this deep bonding thing and how we had no idea how much our dog was going to be A PART OF OUR LIVES and a bunch of other batshit crazy dog-obsessive stuff. and now, i am that dude. he is the best dog i've ever had, and it's kind of weird how much i love this guy.

counterpoint: to make this less sentimental and more oogy and gross, he is currently staring at me and captaining the red rocket. the love of dogs is a complicated thing.

oh hey ENBB and benson:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27907798@N00/4361906888/

What is his temperament like? Is he hyper or chill or a mix of both (plays when you want to but not ornery)?

BONUS EVIDENCE: this is an unposed picture of H, dead asleep, w/ the bone we were tussling over before i went all boring and ilxing on him.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4361963816_7642a5e717.jpg

OMG @ Henry video. I will make a reaction vid later <3. He's so great!

lolling at "circumspect humping"

will do his best to walk wherever i am going with his shoulder pressed against my leg.

All our collies did this too. Always assumed it was an attempt to herd us places, but we just sort of ignored. Could be a problem with a 100+ lb creature, though!

also, knowing how tall you and K are, holy wau that dog is hueg

I mean ffs get that dog into basketball camp NOW

John I think I just fell in love with yr dog

But how would he fare in, like, a city apartment and not a house?

Also when he goes ouside is he the "Imma fuckin walk right next to you no matter what" type o pup or the "Imma fuckin run the fuck wherever I want if I gtfo this leash" type o pup?

wow, henry is pretty fucking awesome. i love his coloring.

So I showed Benson and I think he liked Henry's message. Didn't realize the vid was so dark but his reaction was too perfect not to use.

oops: http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c287/expatrica/?action=view¤t=P2160107.flv

omgomgomg

THIS DOG

!!!!!!!

Holy shit that video! THESE DOGS! ARE GREAT

this dog is sooooooo cute, there's a Bernese in our neighborhood, i met him the other day, just a pup but his paws are huge! <3

lol @ all this!

<3 <3 <3 to Henry. He's so awesome! Was he that tall at Christmas?! He's HUGE!!!

That Henry and Benson exchange is on my bookmarks bar now.

They're buddies! :D

Seriously tempted to remain single for a year so I can adopt a puppy.

titled appropriately "henry sees what you are doing, and he says its ok":

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4381635234_51524d9e91.jpg

wait until you put him on chatroulette

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4444240905_262ee975c1.jpg

xpost from the things your pet is saying thread. aw my gangly teenage boy!

i am starting to realize that at this point he always looks like he has been photographed using a fisheye lens.

just did the math, as of today he is 7 times the weight of the first picture on this thread. and still growing.

hahahah, so big!

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs454.ash1/25003_414314705548_544085548_5458028_3766215_n.jpg

ADORABLE DUMMY

is that his i4n impression?

AOIHG AGORH THIS THING IS SO FUCKING CUTE AND I WANT ONE NOW

GUESS WHO JUST TURNED 1 YRS OLD TODAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FB

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HI DERE

got weighed at the vet, now a meager 102 lbs. i think someone is going to get a chicken breast for birthday dinner, but shhhh dont ruin the surprise.

xxpost hahahahaha

you're going to let yr puppy feel up a chicken? gross dude

no wait i thought dan had to feel up a chicken. i am confused

http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0762/chicken.jpg

btw I would just like to say inadvertent April Fools pranks are A++

Hey JJ, what does it cost to feed that horse for a week?

He still looks small for his paws. :-)

btw I would just like to say inadvertent April Fools pranks are A++

― STAY ALIVE USING EQUIPMENT (HI DERE), Thursday, April 1, 2010 8:08 PM (24 minutes ago)

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4516605621_c5d865a65c.jpg

dogs have a handle on this whole springtime thing imo

awwwwwwwwwwww

henry is HUGE now!

also: he gave me a high five!

dogs have a handle on this whole springtime thing imo

so true, but they turn into big crybabies when summer hits