Bernie
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Bernie Has Been Adopted!
Hi! My name is Bernie and I am an incredibly sweet and goofy, 2-4 year old probably purebred, neutered, male Saint Bernard!
I weigh 100 pounds currently, but am underweight, so the vets hope that I will add 20 or more pounds in the next bunch of months.
I have a bit of a sad story. I have lived most of my life outside, on a 3-foot chain, chained to a doghouse. It was too cold in winter and way too hot in summer, and though my owner cared for me, he didn't have enough money to feed me often, so I often went hungry. I'm fairly skinny. The nice neighbor had been bringing me food for a while, but the situation was bad and my owner agreed to give me up into rescue. So here I am! In a much better situation and excited about finding a new forever home.
Please don't feel too badly for me, as I am a VERY happy boy! Even when I was out on the chain, I was pretty happy, but now that I am getting lots of terrific food and get to run around in a big fenced yard and get wonderful attention and affection from humans, I feel like I am in doggy heaven!
I love people very, very much. I love to give them kisses, and thwap them with my big soft paw (it's my way of asking for attention). I love being near people and never want to be on a chain again. I'm really very sweet and enthusiastic and friendly. And strong!!! Someone will need to teach me how to walk nicely on leash, and all the basic things that my previous owner never taught me. I promise to be a quick study, and since I love food and want to please, it should go well!
They took me to the groomer's (The Grooming Room...such a great place!) the other day and though I can't say I loved my bath, pedicure, and blowdry, they will tell you that I was incrediblly tolerant, patient, and good-natured about the whole thing! And wow, I am now all fluffy and gorgeous and smell wonderful!! And guess what? We St. Bernards are known for being big droolers, but I don't seem to drool almost at all!
I seem fine with other dogs when we are on neutral territory, but I cannot live with another dog. The rescue folks adopted me out into a wonderful home with another (female) dog, and within a day, I was aggressively trying to keep her away from the people because I wanted them all to myself. I would probably be ok on playdates with dogs in public spaces, but not in my home. I have been cat tested and I had no interest at all. When the cat hissed at me, I turned around and walked away. I know when I am not wanted! :) Again, this was in the cat's home, not in mine, so we aren't sure if my behavior would be the same or not if there was a cat in a home that I considered to be "my home."
I have been to the vet and she says I am in amazingly good shape (except for being underweight) and that I was so good and tolerant while she stuck me with needles and did other uncomfortable things to me. I just stood there wagging my tail the whole time and loving the treats she gave me. When my owner surrendered me, he said I was 7 years old. But the shelter veterinarian who gave me my vaccinations said I appeared much younger than that (maybe 2-5) and the Ithaca veterinarian who examined me said she would guess me (by my teeth and personality) to be 2-3 years old. I am being fostered by the good folks at The Bed and Biscuit Kennel, and they also think I act like a 2-3 year old, so, we're thinking that my former owner must have been confused about how long he had me. The kind folks at the Bed and Biscuit Kennels are taking great care of me. They take me out in the big fenced yard for daily romps, they gave me a big thick dogbed, and I have been given a huge bone to chew on. I am over the moon! And just FYI, outdoor dogs like me usually housebreak extremely quickly. We don't know anything other than "doing our business" outdoors, so as long as you give us the opportunity, that is what we like to do!
My adoptive home should have very loving people, a fenced yard, folks who like to go for walks (and who are willing to teach me how to walk nicely) and no other dogs!
