It's actually Chad's blog, because though Bernie is an amazing dog, she has yet to master reading or writing--and there's no real use learning how to type if you can't do either of those. She knows this.
Fourteen years ago I had an 11-year-old Old English Sheepdog, Poochie. She was the family dog, and she made the move from St. Louis to Lake Tahoe with me. In September 1994, we were living in a rented house with friend Elizabeth P. on a beautiful meadow that led to the lake. It truly is a wonderful spot in a basin loaded with them, particularly as the sun set behind the meadow's bordering mountains. During the fall, cattle roamed that expansive acreage, good times for a herding dog like Poochie. Instincts are amazing.
Call it instinct or something else, somehow at this time I ended up with a scrawny, black, people-hating dog. Named Barney the first nine months of her life under others' watch, upon adoption she became "Bernie," lest I have a dog named after that stupid purple dinosaur. The first day I had her, she did two amazing things: I released her into the meadow, off-leash with Poochie, and Bernie ran full speed, several months of (literally) caged energy bursting from within . . . run, run, run! . . . Then she did it, Elizabeth and I both saw it. She jumped, leaped in full stride--she looked like she'd been shot out of a cannon, bulleting through the air for a solid ten feet, at a height of ten feet off the ground. Our jaws dropped as we watched. It was a beautiful exhibition of happiness, free at last! Elizabeth and I laughed. Bernie ran.
I had to catch her. I caught her, finally. She bit my hand (that's the second amazing thing). Blood. "Bad Bernie." Pinned-back ears. Tail between the legs but now homebound. I wanted to return my purchase to the Lake Tahoe Humane Society. I didn't, and that purchase turned into 14+ years, or some 5,200 days, of love, fun, and fascination. Best $50 I ever spent.
She's on the couch now, I put her there, her sleeping off a Valium buzz (see photo at top). I sit and she sleeps. We've done this before. Today, though, is different from every other. I was told today to expect only one more month with my kindred spirit. One more month, they say.
3 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about Bernie. She has been such a blessing to the Caruthers clan and such a great source of entertainment for many. We will keep you and her in our prayers over the next month.
Are you going to tell everyone about Bernies bubble blowing swimming expedition?
I'm very sad to hear about Bernie's health -I still remember that picture you sent of Bernie wearing her Doggles. What a good sport!
Kelli
I am so sorry for your loss Chad.
Even though you will question it, you did the right thing. Bernie is no longer in pain and is in puppy heaven.
We are committed to doing the right thing for our furry friends through it all, the beginning and the end...
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