Meet Emma, Torri, and Hallie

On our trip downtown on Friday, Nov. 2nd I had the pleasure of meeting Emma, from New York and her cousins Torri and Hallie from South Dakota, who were in town for a family reunion.

Hope you had a good time.

A Cousin From Down Under Posted on Facebook.

There is a place on Facebook, the Black Russian Terrier Group,  that dad visits to share stories about my breed.  Today there was a post about a cousin, Jimmy, from Austrailia who was turning four.

It looks like he likes the beach and water as much as I do.

Happy Birthday Jimmy.

Met a Bouv Owner

Our names are Sara, Anthony and Ellie and we are from CT!  We have a bouvier Yogi. We wish we had him with us so you two could have met!!!!!

My housemate Poppy (Bouv) would have loved to meet Yogi, bring him the next time, Fernandina is a very dog friendly place.

Meet Beth & Linda

On our walk downtown today I met Beth & Linda, visiting from New Jersey. Welcome to Fernandina, a very dog friendly place.

We had just been down to the train depot, where we met some individuals in town for the reunion of the AS-18, USS Orion, a submarine tender (1941 - 1993).

USS Orion Video

Stroll downtown

As we headed to 4th St. Deli, we were stopped by Alaina who commented that I was handsome.  And yes I am, since it was just groomed last week.  She called into Get Out Of Hand gift shop for her friends Ashley, & Meghan to come out and meet me.

Alaina, Ashley, & Meghan from Atlanta (L - R)

Some of my Russian Cousins.

Dad always shows a picture of a big BRT when explaining that I am a slight, 90-lbs when I should be 130-lbs.

Well here is a picture of a big Russian cousin.

Here is a video of a 6-mo old going through Schutzhund training.

Photo & video credit:  ADAM RACY STYLE, Professional kennel of Russian black terriers (www.adam-brt.ru)

Kelly, from Cocoa Beach.

Ms. Poppy and I met Kelly on our walk downtown this evening.  We had made our way from 3rd St. down to the Train Depot, and as we started back a group of people enjoying the benches in front of  The Cinnamon Bear Country Store, called out asking 'what kind of dog is that?'.  We walked across the street to meet them, Dad explained that I was a Black Russian Terrier and Ms. Poppy was a Bouvier des Flandres.

Benches in front of The Cinnamon Bear Country Store.

Ms. Poppy did her cuddle up by leaning thing and made friends with Kelly.  So when Kelly learned about my blog she agreed to a picture with Ms. Poppy and I.

Ms. Poppy, Kelly and yours truly.

Dad explained that Ms. Poppy was a Silver/Black Brindle and that she would be tiger striped is shaved.  Here is a picture of a shaved Silver/Black Brindle Bouvier.

Shaved Silver/Black Brindle Bouvier.

This evening's walk, from Courthouse to Brett's & back.

We met lots of people on the walk, one even made a first guess that I was a Bouvier, then second was Black Russian. 

We met the Curl family, by Brett's.  They are visiting from South Carolina.

Met Lisa at Outback Steak House

Yesterday Ms. Poppy and I went to Outback Steak House for Dad's birthday.  While there several of the staff stopped by to say hello.

Ms. Lisa even wanted a picture with us.

On the way to Sound on Centre we met Leeynda and Melody.

We were on our way to listen to Ray, he owns the two wirehaired pointing griffons who sometimes take my ball at the dog park.  He is part of the band Honey Bagers who were playing at Sound on Center this month.

We met and made friends with Leeynda and Melody from Washington, DC.  Note they are color coordinated with our leashes.

Met Lexie H., Adi K. ,Brooke A. and Grayden visiting from Ohio

On our walk downtown Tuesday, the dog park closes on Tuesday, we met Lexie H., Adi K., Brooke A. and Grayden visiting from Ohio.  They were enjoying some frozen yogurt from Island Time, one of my pit stops on our walk, they put out a large bowl of water, and keep it filled, you can see it in the background, on the left.



                                   

Busy two days

Last night we went down to Petsmart River City, where Ms. Amber was giving the Canine Good Citizen Test.  Team Konna, Team Miki, Team Zoey and Team Dolly all  participated and passed.  Team Dolly got Star Puppy since Dolly wasn't one year old.  I was doing my bi-annual retest, not required for the title but recommended for doing therapy visits.

Then this morning Dad had to go to the bank, some low-life had cloned his credit card.  I didn't object since they give out cookies.  Then we took a walk downtown where we met Mac.

Then this afternoon Dad went to Bosque Bello Cemetery to check on the engraving he had done on the back of his mother's headstone, listing the family members.  After that we made another trip downtown where we met Diane, 'Kansas City BBQ Queen'.

and  later we met Zeke.

                                          

Met Steiger, a Bouv who is traveling up ICW from Key West to Virginia.

Ms. Poppy center front, Steiger center back, me on left, Dad, Mary Ellen, and Mom.

Dad had seen a post by Angel Fox on FB, Steiger's nom de plume, about their trip on the Intercoastal Waterway.  He invited them to stop by Fernandina and visit.

We met them and went downtown where Poppy, my Bouv housemate, introduced Steiger to La Torres, where we go a cookie.  Then we went back to the  pocket part were our humans had a drink from the coffee shop, and they sent out ice water for us.

Why I am not shaved for summer.

The thermal image of an Aussie, with a Lion cut, natural fur/hair in front, shaved in rear.  The bluer the image the colder,  The aussie is probably sitting on a table in an air conditioned exame room where the room temperature is colder than 75,  the dogs skin temperature (shaved area) is 86° F (30.8° C)  the coat area temperature is 75° F (24° C).  In this case protecting the Aussie from the cold ambient temperature, with an 11 degree difference.  The process also works in reverse, the coat would insulate the dog from a hot ambient temperature. 

From How Do Dogs Stay Cool During the Summer? .

Credits:Shevs/Shutterstock

Just Chill Out!

First of all, let’s tackle how humans keep cool. As we know, our bodies produce sweat when we become overheated. This is a very efficient mechanism by which the human body regulates its temperature. Sweat glands are the organs responsible for producing and secreting sweat, and are located all over our bodies. This effectively means that the cooling process takes place over a large surface area of the skin, which is definitely desirable, particularly after a vigorous workout. What about dogs though? Do they sweat in the same way?

When a dog gets excited, stressed, or has recently exercised, its body temperature naturally rises, so it needs to get rid of this extra heat. Unlike humans, dogs have very few sweat glands, with most of them located in the animal’s footpads. Dog owners have surely noticed that their pets often leave wet footprints behind on hard surfaces. Turns out that this is because your dog is sweating!

Is sweating from their paws the only way dogs keep cool?

No. Not even close.

Actually, the main way in which dogs regulate their body temperature is by panting with their mouths open. Some people are under the wrong impression that since dogs cool down by panting, their tongues must contain sweat glands too. This, however, is not the case.

Panting serves two main purposes in terms of cooling a dog down. Firstly, the moisture on the tongue evaporates while panting, while the heavy breathing allows moisture to evaporate from the moist lining of their lungs. Furthermore, dogs cool off via vasodilation. The blood vessels in their face and ears expand, enabling the blood to flow closer to the skin, allowing heat to be exchanged with the outside environment. Pretty cool!

Don’t Let Sparky Get Too Hot!

Despite their cool-down mechanisms, dogs are still prone to getting overheated (hyperthermia) and eventually suffering from heat strokes. Heat strokes are very dangerous, as they can cause brain damage and even death for your beloved pooch. 

Monica, Ms. Poppy and myself.

Monica stopped by to say hello to Ms. Poppy and me, while Dad enjoyed his coffee at the Coffee Shop.

Ms. Poppy, Monica and your's truly 

Meet Chelsea from Ferrum, VA

As we were cutting through the pocket park after leaving the Coffee Shop, Ms. Poppy and I met Chelsea for Ferrum, VA.  She was nice enough to forward me the picture Dad took of us.

Konna (BRT), Chelsea, Poppy (BDF)

Thanks Chelsea.

Ferrum, Va on Google Maps.

Coffee shop and pocket park on Centre St.

Coffee Shop and Pocket Park Centre St., Fernandina Beach, FL.

Met two Sandies today.

On our way to Brett's Waterway Cafe for lunch today I met two Sandies.  First there was Sandy from Titusville, FL.

Then a few minutes later we met Sandy from Myrtle Beach, NC.

I hope both enjoy their time in wonderful Historic Fernandina, and share my blog on their social media.

Grace from Portland Maine.

Mom & Dad were in Jacksonville all day, so when they got home Dad loaded us up and we headed downtown.  Got our cookie from Steve at La Torre's and headed back to the car.

Dad stopped for a long conversation about us with a couple that had asked about us, as we headed back to the car.  As we were getting ready to leave Grace came up, and more conversation.  When she learned about my blog she agreed to pose with Poppy and I.

Hope you enjoy Fernandina Beach Grace.  Be sure and share on your social media so my page count will grow.  It is currently at 7,227, lets see if you can drive it up to 7,250 by having 23 of your friends view it.  Be sure and look at the video of Poppy and I on the beach.

Lunch at Sabbia's

After cleaning the 1930 Beach Cottage  Mom and Dad went downtown for a late lunch.  Since it was threatening to rain they opted to eat at Sabbia's, they could park nearby, there was a place to walk us and the patio was covered.

As we were leaving, after helping Mom finish her kabob and Dad his sausage sandwich, we met Julie & Jerry.

On Tuesday I will make my monthly visit to the Alzheimer's Daycare at the Council on Ageing.  

Mom went to see Dr. Anderson

While Mom was at Dr. Anderson's, Dad, Poppy and I went downtown to La Torre's to get a cookie.  Then to Amelia Island Coffee so Dad could get a cup of coffee while we waited for Mom.  On the way we stopped to greet the a family who was people/dog watching on the benches at the crosswalk.

Crosswalk

So rather than tethering us to the post while he went in to get his coffee he asked it they would take care of us, they agreed.  Dad explained about my blog and Max, Nick and Cates agreed to pose with me, Dad is in background while Ms. Poppy has Mom pinned to the bench off camera.

Max, Nick and Cates from Oakwood, GA.

Tuesday means no dog park, but sometime ice cream

Sometime Mom and Dad stop an get an ice cream at Fantastic Fudge.  We have an understanding, they get to eat the ice cream down to the cone, Poppy and I get the cone and any ice cream in it.

After leaving Fantastic Fudge, as we crossed 3rd St. I notice a lady staring at me.  So I went up to her and she petted me while Dad explained the history of BRT's.  Nancy is visiting Fernandina from New York.
                                 

Konna & Poppy met Deepa

Since the dog park closed early today Mom & Dad had to take us downtown for a walk.  After getting our cookies from La Torre's Mom and Poppy, Bouvier des Flandres, went across the street to wait while Dad and I did a longer walk.  I did most of the walk in a hands-off loose lead walk.  My lead draped over my back.

As we got back to the pocket park next to the Coffee Shop, we met Deepa, from Douglasville, Ga.

As I walked past Fantastic Fudge

I was mobbed by Olivia, Charlotte, Addie, Gwen, Tailyn & Emma from Warrenton, VA. 😊

I hope they visit the Video sidebar and view Poppy & me on the beach.

Busy visit downtown today

Dad failed audio recording, so no names.

Spring Break in Fernandina?

Jenna and Catherine from Bowling Green, Ohio

Mattie & Friends from Nebraska

Kaden & Kendall from Jacksonville

Towards the end of our walk downtown Saturday, right after we had gotten our cookies from La Torres, we met Kadan and Kendall visiting from Orange Park.

I was wearing my obereg, the red tassel around my neck.

Nice meeting you Kadan and Kendall, hope to see you again.

Met Martin from Hungary

Walking downtown before Mom & Dad went to the Amelia Island Genealogical Society meeting we met Lindsey and her friend Martin.  Martin is from Hungary.

Martin & Lindsey

They are thinking about getting a dog, Lindsey has allergies.  Dad recommended a standard poodle, Martin rolled his eyes.  Dad explained that they were breed to be retrievers and are quite impressive without the frou-frou cut.

UH HRCH MHR Southern Standards Red Creole, MH, WCX

The first Standard Poodle in history to earn Master Hunter titles in three registries, UH HRCH MHR Southern Standards Red Creole, MH, WCX, has proved more than his hunting expertise. The accomplished 6-year-old red male, called “Cooper,” has helped shatter the long-standing perception that Poodles cannot hunt.

Though the Standard Poodle originally was bred as a retriever for the duck marshes in Germany, the American Kennel Club (AKC) assigned the breed to the Non-Sporting Group in 1938. It was not until 1998 that the Standard Poodle became eligible to participate in AKC hunting tests. Despite his credentials, the Standard Poodle largely has been considered an outcast by serious hunters.

Today's Breeder Issue 79

UH - Upland Hunter United Kennel Club Title

HRCH - Hunting Retriever Champion North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA) Title

MHR - Master Hunting Retriever, North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA) Title

MH - Master Hunter AKC Title

WCX - Working Certificate Excellent, Golden Retriever Club of America Certificate

Downtown this morning

Dad had me on a very loose lead walk.

After stopping at La Torres for a cookie, I made a new friend, Gary, visiting from Eagle River, Wisconsin.

Brenden & Louis hooked up new dryer

Brenden & Louis, from Bill Fenwick Plumbing came by to hook up mom's new gas dryer.  I had to supervise them, it is my job to keep an eye on any strangers on the property. 

Louis, Konna and Brenden