Mountain Bliss

I have a new writing partner. Her name is Sasha. Her full, AKC certified pedigree name is Mountain Bliss Sasha. We adopted her this weekend. She is a 4 1/2 year old Bernese Mountain dog. We love this breed and Sasha is a sweet, gentle girl.

She was shaking when we first met her. She is not used to being away from home. You can tell that she has been loved and well cared for. Her coat is gorgeous, all curly and shiny. Her eyes are bright. She doesn't just wag her tail, she wags her whole body. And she smiles.

We were introduced to her at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs, New York. It's a dog friendly hotel next to historic, Congress Park. We stay here often in the summer--go up for a jazz festival in June and then for the horse races in July and August.

Sasha has freckles! 

We haven't heard her bark yet but she had a bad dream her first night and she yelped and whimpered which is why we helped her onto the bed.

That was okay while we were at the hotel, in a king sized bed, but here, back home, a queen sized bed is way too small so we bought Sasha her very own, extra soft and fluffy bed.

But she prefers ours so Phoebe and Lucy have claimed Sasha's bed.

Sasha is learning how to walk on a leash and go to the bathroom while on a leash. If she has an accident inside the house it will be disastrous.

On our first walk back home, I was afraid she'd jump in the river that runs behind our house. I imagined what I'd do. After calling for help would I jump in? Of course. I don't know if Sasha knows how to swim.

This whole "new family" thing must be very confusing for her. I've explained that she will be pampered and adored. That she will be by my side most days and nights. That she'll come to work with me, and travel with me, and go for long walks with me.

I also explained that Lucy is the boss, of all of us, and that Phoebe is a bit of a bully but not to feel intimidated by either one. They will grow to love her just as much as we do.

Special thanks to Sandy at Windy Mountain Kennels for allowing us to adopt her.

Our first walk in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, New York