About Bonnie

[Carrie]

On another thread about favorite breeds, some here said that they didn't like Labs particularily. I thought for sure that had to be a typo....had to read it twice. How, I thought, could anyone not like a Lab? (LOL....just joshin you)

Well....I wanted to talk just a bit about my Lab who is over 13 years old and whom I'm not going to have much longer due to a progressive illness. Here is how I can best describe what Bonnie's been to me. She's been with me through divorce, through difficult times with my kids. She's been with me during all kinds of wonderful memories too which are all tied in with her, associated or cause me to think of her; rides with my horse, swims in the lake with the kids, her and me...camping trips...all kinds of things that everyone here will or have also experienced, I'm sure. She use to love one of my Arabian mares, Brisa and Brisa loved her too. They'd sniff and lick eachothers' noses. Bonnie would walk under that horse and scare me to death but Brisa knew she was there.

Bonnie is from a reputable breeder.... is rather short, stocky, but her face is not quite as blocky as some. She weighs about 70 Lbs and is Chocolate in color. (with a very grey face, now that she is very old)

Her temperament has always, even as a very young puppy been very laid back, calm, but ready for a game or play anytime anyone wanted it (even still can be silly).... and loving, wonderful and trustworthy with my then young kids. She's been such an affectionate, sweet, undemanding dog, intelligent, eager and easy to be trained. She was always so tolerant of everything. Nothing perturbs that dog. She's there with you in the room but isn't in your face. She goes and lies down by the fire and stays out from under your feet, maybe coming over for an occasional scratch on the behind. Oh, that's one of her favorite things. But her most favorite are the walks.

And everyone I know has always loved her so much that it was frequently requested that I bring her along with me to their homes....when my hubby and I were together and younger and went socializing. She's an old lady now and I'm trying to prepare myself for her departure from my world as she is very ill. I will always miss that dog.

Thanks for letting me get it out. Please don't feel like you need to respond. That's not entirely why I'm writing. I guess it's just theraputic. Many of you have already given me such support for which I am so grateful.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Aw Carrie, you know some of us just have to respond! Thank you for sharing your feelings of your precious girl! We will all be here for you when that time comes!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

What a wonderful friend you've had and have in Bonnie; I know how very tough it can be to lose such a wonderful and loving member of the family and how very difficult it is to go through what your going through now with her.

I'll be keeping you and Bonnie in my thoughts and prayers. ** hugs to you both **

[Carrie]

Thank you Icey. That means so much. And Crossfire, thank you too. I know you know...as do most of us here how difficult it is to lose your pal. Thanks for your kindness.

I shouldn't be so negative. What if she were to go on for longer than I thought? How foolish I would seem. But I honestly don't see that. I do need to think realistically too in the midst of all this sentimentality.

In fact, tonight I thought she was going to have another one. She looked like she was beginning to shudder and jerk and then it passed. I suspect she just might later tonight. I'm counting down the hours till her vet appointment tomorrow....10:00 Pacific time.

anyhow....thanks bunches you guys.

[IceyBlueSibes]

We love ya Carrie, and please let us know how her appt goes tomorrow!

[gaddylovesdogs]

I can tell you really love her . She's sounds like a wonderful dog....I'm sure her and my May would get along well. That's what I love about Labs. They get along with everybody, but are closest to their owners.

[kjm]

My heart goes out to you, Carrie. Bonnie has had a wonderful doggie life and has been so loved. What a blessing she's been to you and your family.

[oc_spirit]

Awww Carrie Bonnie sounds like a wonderful dog!!! I'm not really one for labs or goldens but I still love them and I know some very sweet ones! I'm sure you're Bonnie is one of the sweeteest there are!

HUGS!!!!

[poodlesmom]

Bonnie & you have shared that magical connection that I think each of us has experienced at least once with a special furpal and I truly hope she is by your side for quite some time. I think that you & every one here will agree that the time we have with them is never enough time. It is good that we all have each other to help us when the time comes.

[Carrie]

Oc, thank you. Yes, Bonnie is the epitome of sweet and lady like. Thank you for such kind words.

Poodlesmom, What you wrote is so right on the mark. There is a special connection. I really appreciate what you said. There is a bond between us dog lovers isn't there and I know we'll all be helpful to one another when hard times come.

[RedHotDobe]

Aww, give Bonnie tons of hugs and slobbery kisses from Duke and I. (Only the hugs are from me. LOL)

Originally Posted by Carrie

maybe coming over for an occasional scratch on the behind. Oh, that's one of her favorite things.

Aww, that's Duke's favorite thing too. You scratch, while he dances. (I'm not kidding, he dances when you scratch his butt )

[Lil'Paws]

Aww how I love that girl. How is she doing?

[Carrie]

Yes, like Duke, Lyric does a sort of dance. Bonnie sways and Lyric does the two step, kind of hops almost from left to right. Dobermans do so many things the same way it seems. All these stories from Dobe owners sound so familiar. LOL. Thanks for thinking of Bonnie.

Lil Paws,

Thank you so much. She has been having more seizures and so yesterday the vet gave me some more stuff that will help metabolize protein before her liver has to deal with it... gives her liver an easier time and he hopes it will lessen the seizures. He doesn't want to give her phenobarbitol just yet. Otherwise, the rest of the time, she's quite chipper and loves the snow. We are getting dumped on, probably another foot last night and into the morning. I've been busy shovelling.....a-h-h what a chore! Lyric's been helping me. Eh-hem...more like he gets in the way. Oh well. He loves to bound through this wonderful, powdery snow....thinks it's the most wonderful toy of all.

Thanks for asking about Bon Bon. She would love you too.

[Lil'Paws]

Thanks for letting me know, Carrie. Shes come to mind quite bit lately. I worry about her, like I do all animals. I guess its my love for animals that makes me that way. I know you take very good care of her. Hugs and kisses to Bonnie..

[Carrie]

A-w-w-w....bless your heart. That makes me teary. We are both like that I think about animals.

On a Doberman board I go on, there are, with a fair amount of frequency people who are losing their Dobes to heart disease, cancer and Dobes who have other serious ailments. It's heartbreaking and tearful to read those threads and difficult to try and attempt to ease someone's pain. These people absolutely love their Dobes. They are highly prized and cherished by their owners...at least the ones on that board, just like dogs are here on this board and most.

Many Dobermans don't make it to a ripe age. Bonnie has been lucky. I hope to God that sometime before too long, breeders can get some of these diseases under control. It's a very difficult thing to do, even for the most diligent breeders. Maybe that's part of the reason I have a particularily hard time dealing with unscrupulous back yard breeders. I see so much suffering.

Thank you for your hugs and kisses to Bonnie and for keeping her in your heart and mind. I appreciate that and so does she. She's getting extra attention lately.

Bonnie has always been head honcho around here. Chulita Chihuahua is beginning to attempt to unseat her. I've been noticing some extra feistiness that wasn't there before. She has always loved Bonnie. I think she may sense something here as she has seen these convulsions and growls at Bonnie when she is finished with the convulsion and is pacing around. This is not like Chulita. She is also getting after Lyric more. She voluntarily will sit down on Lyric's front legs like she's being friendly and if he so much as moves his foot over to give her room, she gets him. It's a good thing he is so good natured. It's interesting to watch...I really wonder if she is waiting for Bonnie to die and preparing herself for the duty of boss dog as far as what goes on between the dogs when I don't step in, which I don't for everything, just when I feel I must. I watch them closely. Interesting.