(Click on any picture to enlarge)

    Zoey

More below....

Born: March 30th. 2008.  
Adopted from a shelter on May 30th. 
 The original description of Zoey listed her as a Collie/Husky mix.  After a visit to the vet and some internet searching, we believe that she was an Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD).  While this is not a problem for us, we are disappointed that the shelter was not knowledgeable or honest enough to list her correctly.  Originally I wanted a Berner after seeing one at the dog park.  I thought it was the most beautiful dog I ever saw.  But, after some research I found that the breed has one of the highest cancer rates for a dog.  After loosing Nipsy to cancer, I didn't want to go through that again.  So we went looking for a mixed breed and found Zoey listed on Pet Finder.  The shelter had a adoption day at a Petco in Vernon Hills where you could meet the dog your interested in.  Since we are not super experienced at all the different breeds, we didn't realize at the time that she was a Berner.  We knew she looked like one, but figured the shelter would be knowledgeable enough to tell us the actual breed(s).  I could see why they wouldn't or didn't list her as a Berner as this breed is HUGE & LARGE.  Well, 80-100lbs anyway.  Nipsy was 60lbs.  That would turn off a few people I'm sure.  The vet stated that her bone structure is too large for a Collie/Husky, but that's what the shelter told us and we believed them.   Her brothers and sisters looked similar and there were supposedly some lighter (Collie) colored pups from the same litter.  Although I don't remember  seeing them together.  My advise for someone going to one of these shelter rescue places would be to check for pictures on the web of dog with others of the same age and breed(s).  Make sure the pet up for adoption is exactly what they say it is.  After reaching the conclusion that Zoey was a Berner, this did not pose a problem for us as we have a large yard and have time for her.  Plus I got the breed I wanted originally.  :)  The Swiss have a saying about the lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dogs (Berners). They say, 'three years a young dog, three years a good dog, three years an old dog -... all else a gift from God*. At this time, the average age of a BMD at death is about 7 years.  I have found many pictures of other Berners that have reached the age of 10+ years.

The BMD is one of the most enjoyable of the large breeds. The devoted loyalty, sense of humor, easygoing, quiet natured, strong will to serve and affectionate qualities make the breed a good family pet. BMDs are typically excellent with children, as they tend to recognize a child and immediately quiet all actions. While some BMDs may be aloof with strangers, this should not be confused with shyness. When company visits your home, many BMDs will watch the situation for a little while before coming to accept a visitor with a quiet approach followed by leaning into the visitor's leg. This is how Bernese became know as 'leaners',

We had to put Zoey down due to a virus called Distemper.  There is no cure.  While she was given distemper shots, she probably had it before she received them.  The Shelter is refunding our "Donation" and the Lombard Veterinary Hospital did not charge us for the euthanasia.  We do not plan on adopting another dog for awhile.  But some day.....