Spring Time and Riding Bikes

We have been enjoying the great Spring weather.  Rose love's the Kangaroo Wee Ride.  It's a great way to get around town and visit with friends:

Video Shot with GoPro Hero2 mounted on the handlebars.

Rose's First Birthday

Ok, so I know this is a bit late since we were in Florida at the end of June, but I am finally getting around to posting Rose's first Birthday video. 

Rose's Swim Lessons

As we are planning to spend a week on the beach in Florida at the end of June, we thought it would be a good idea to get Rose use to the water.  The community center is less than a mile from our house and they have a ton of kids' programs.  Here is a little video of us during here second day at the pool.  She loves being in the water.

Rose and Chester Share a Bath

Since the arrival of Rose, Chester has taken his role as big brother very seriously.  He has been by her side since we brought her home from the hospital.  No matter where she is, he always wants to be by her side.  When she starts to cry, he is right there..."ok what the matter?  Are you hungry?  Do you need a diaper change?"  What ever the case, he is on it.  Here he is watching over her and even helping to give Rose a bath.

Rose and the Boys

Saturday morning we had the whole menagerie hanging out on the bed, so of course everyone wanted some camera time including Zoe. But the best shot is saved for the end. Enjoy!

The obligatory home movie

Chester is Doing Great

It is hard to believe that it has been 5 weeks since Chester's accident and surgery. He is doing amazingly well. After his emergency surgery he spent 2 weeks at the University Hospital in Bern. During his stay his neurologist and two physical therapist worked with him every day. He did hydrotherapy and ultrasound therapy twice a day. He made tremendous progress and we were able to bring him home on Friday February 20th. Amy's friend Karen, who is boarding a horse here on the farm, comes by once a week to do accupressure on the little guy. As you can see from the video he has made great progress.

Chester Update: Post Op Day 5

We saw Chester for the first time since his surgery on Sunday. We left this morning around 7:30 for the hour long drive north to Bern. Both Amy and I were a bit anxious, although we have been getting daily reports from his neurologist, we still weren't sure what to expect. Would he be the same old crazy Chester man, full of attitude and energy or would he just lay there? Prior to his accident we really thought Chester was bomb proof. For a little dog he is tough as nails. He does everything with a sense of reckless abandon. He throws himself out of bed in the morning, scrambles down the stairs, plays ball for hours, eats like its his last meal. He races around the cow pastures, hurls himself down snow banks and takes on all comers at the dog park. Is he going to be that same dog?

Well, it did not take long for that question to be answered. When Dr. Alves brought us to the therapy room where he stays with 3 other dogs, Chester was at the gate monitoring the hallway and standing (ok sitting) guard over the room. When he saw Amy it was all he could do to contain himself. I was scared at first, thinking he was going to rupture another disc from all of the excitement. He practically licked our noses off our faces. We sat on the floor with him as he scooted between Amy, myself and the therapist, just as happy as can be. He is so full of life, so full of confidence, I don't think he really realizes his legs don't work.


After playing with some toys we brought him, Chester went into the pool for some hyrotherapy. The pool is a large tank with a treadmill. They placed Chester on the treadmill and lowered it into the water. They use the water to reduce the weight on his legs and try to stimulate the walking motion with the treadmill. Two therapists work his rear legs as he pulls himself forward with his front legs. He is showing a tremendous amount of determination and will power to get better. After the pool Amy worked with him on his standing balance. Then we took him outside for a walk, assisting his rear legs with a strap around his waist to lift his rear legs. All and all we spent two hours with the little guy. It was tough to leave him, but we know he is in great hands there at the University of Bern Veterinary Hospital. We can't say enough about what an amazing staff he has looking after him. His roommates and therapy buddies, Buffy and Lilly keep him company and motivated. Yes, it has been a tough week, and we have at least another week of therapy before he can come home, but we feel so very fortunate for all the loving, caring and highly trained people who have made it their goal that he walk again. Check out the video below of Chester's hydrotherapy session.

A New Addition to our Menagerie

Well we have a new addition to our menagerie. Joining Cesar, Chester and Zoe is Charlie.

Charlie is a 4 year old Tinker horse, we are now the proud "semi-owners". He is boarded here on the farm with us. His owner ran into some difficult times paying the boarding fees. Amy has been taking riding lessons at a farm about 10 km from here. So we worked out a deal where we pay half of his boarding fees, he gets to stay here on the farm and we get to ride and work with him when ever we want.

Tinker horses, also known as Gypsy Vanner in the US are draft style horses, bred to pull wagons call vardons. These vardons are wagons designed to be lived in, like the ones gypsies would use. Although their bloodlines are still uncertain, they are related to the Clydesdales. You know those famous Budwieser drinking, football playing horses from the Super Bowl commercials. Well, Charlie doesn't kick field goals, but he is a sweet horse and hopefully I will begin to ride him. Amy will start riding him this week.

Amy learns to "drive"

I will admit prior to moving to Switzerland I don't think I have touched a horse since that pony ride at Kristen Kip's 5th birthday party. I think there are pictures laying around some where to prove it...me crying for the entire 5 minute excursion. I guess you can say I am pretty much a city boy, not much cowboy in this here blood. Therefore, the edited version of Amy's riding lesson is from the city boy's perspective. Enjoy!!

Our Roommates?

Here is a video of the horses we live with on the farm.  There are 17 horses on the farm and they go out daily for some exercise before the riders come.  Here is a video of the first group heading out for their morning romp in the fields and some grazing.  They are absolutely beautiful!

Boubi is the first one out, then Hardy, next is Tonner (my favorite, the big brown and white tinker horse), then Akuba and Aricof (they are best pals), and finally Senor.