Many Thanks . . .

***This is Bernie at about a year and a half, at an unfinished mansion Elizabeth and I lived, and the site of Bernie's fountain escapade that I mentioned in an earlier post. I can tell you one thing: She's trying to find a way outside with that bone! Note the St. Louis Blues collar, too! Stateline, Nevada; Spring, 1995.***

Long ago, relatively speaking, I mentioned at some point I was going to thank a bunch of people for their help and kindness toward Bernie. People raise dogs different ways for different purposes, and I'm one who is all-in with the relationship. Thus, it isn't always easy and takes other people to make it all work. So while I here sit sipping a spot of tea, here go many heartfelt thanks from Bernie and Chad:

Elizabeth P. (Tahoe). She who didn't talk me out of adopting that wacko dog, Barney. Who was much, much better at handling a neurotic, new pet than I. And who discovered that Bernie could sing, something I enjoyed for 13+ years from Bernie.

Hazilbeat (Elizabeth's cat; Tahoe). Hazil is a cat and I brought a crazy puppy dog into the house. Nuff said.

Russ D. (Tahoe). He took Eliz, Hazil, Chad, Bernie, and Poochie in after we were rudely shot at and had to move. He really enjoyed Bernie. Russ was also part of the infamous Super Bowl XXIX (1995) incident, when Bernie disappeared for almost the entire game, on a foggy day in Tahoe. She came back looking like she'd encountered the Loch Ness Monster and promptly curled herself on the couch with nary a word nor glance for Russ or me.

Lenny O. (Tahoe). Lenny watched Bernie once when I was out of town and called me all freaked out because he'd left Bernie inside for ten minutes while he ran out to get a pack of smokes, and Bernie had chomped up the pillows in his short absence. Hilarious. That's more why I mention him, cause he is hilarious.

Sandy M. (Tahoe). I rented an apartment within Sandy's house, the one at 3469 Norma Ave., and Sandy was awesome about watching Bernie and Poochie. Plus, she had two dogs--and it bothers me I can't recall their names--and Bernie always had run of her yard.

Teodora L-I. (Tahoe). Teddy is from the Philippines, and generally Filipinos don't really understand why we Americans dig dogs so much. She was always nice to Bernie and watched her a couple times in my absence. I'd call and say, "How's Bernie?" Teddy would say, "She's restless." And I'd say, "Restless?" And she'd say, "She keeps on jumping off the bed, on the bed, off the bed at night." Oh yes, restless!

Grandma Roper (St. Louis). Grandma met Bernie at least once, on a visit to Tahoe, but most important was for years every single time I spoke to Grandma on the phone she'd ask how Bernie was doing, all the way up to Bernie's passing. How thoughtful.

Grandma Caruthers (SW Missouri). Bernie visited Grandma's farm a couple times with me. What great fun for a dog. Grandma even let Bernie sleep in the garage at night--while her own dog had to stay outside!

Drs. Bell and Olsen (Animal Medical Clinic, St. Paul). Bernie never really had any problems until her last year. Both doctors, though, genuinelly care, that was easy to see, and they always spent as much time as needed, thinking and talking. Sometimes, that's the best thing versus everything else.

U of M Small Animal Vets (St. Paul). I'm not going to dig up the doctors' names, but Bernie and I visited once each the oncology and surgical departments at the U, and they are an incredible resource should you ever need them.

Alex G. and her dog, Buddy (Mpls.). Bernie and Buddy had a few pleasant doggie dates, didn't they?

Carly (St. Paul). Carly is my three-year-old neighbor who used to give Bernie treats through the fence and would pet her, too. Carly doesn't know about Bernie's new home yet (we often see neighbors only March through September in these parts). She'll be sad.

Tahoe Daily Tribune (Tahoe). Without their Pet of the Week ad, there would've been no Bernie and Chad. I'm still waiting on the copy of that and the new article--I'm not sure what's happening.

South Lake Tahoe Humane Society (Tahoe). For caring for Barney and somehow convincing me to adopt her. The first time I went to check out Barney, I remember a staffer saying, as Barney barked and barked in an outside kennel at all of us, "Hold on. Let me go get the girl that Barney likes." Soon after, the "Bernie" project began.

Karen C. (Mpls.). Karen dug Bernie, Bernie dug Karen. And here, a secret revealed: Karen is the only person on the planet who has ever heard my "Bernie voice," how Bernie sounded when she would "reply" to me when she and I had conversations.

North Oaks Folks. The fine collection of people who helped search for Bernie in October. Once again, hats off.

Darcy & Fred (North Oaks). Darcy and Fred is the couple who found Bernie in October, took the time to retrieve in pitch dark the number I'd posted on a sign, and fed Bernie cheese while they awaited for my arrival. Had Bernie not been found during that episode, I likely would to this day be curled up in the fetal position, in Bernie's doghouse.

Julie D. (St. Paul). Julie is a former roommate. I don't know how much she was into Bernie, but she helped watched her, walk her, and was always nice to her. Plus, she tolerated the dog hair all over the house.

Denise S. and her cat, Oliver (Sacramento). That was a crazy scene--Oliver was a nut, Bernie was a pup, hardwood floors, big attitudes . . . you get the picture. Good times. Denise gave Bernie the leash we used for the last nine years of her life.

Bernie's Mac-Groveland Neighborhood Friends (St. Paul). Bernie was a rockstar. We live on the corner, and perched in her fenced-in yard 300 days out of the year from age 7 till almost 14, Bernie had more canine and human friends than I'll ever have. She was visited, talked to, and sniffed all day every day. She loved it, it made my absence tolerable. And yeah, I got a few dates over the years cause women wanted to meet Bernie!

Nichole N. (St. Paul). Nichole is my current roommate, of three years I think, and her willingness to watch Bernie when I'd go out of town allowed me to live a relatively normal life even as Bernie got older (and Chad felt gultier going out of town). It was nice to be able to leave her at home with someone who cared about her.

Dave, Nichole's Boyfriend (St. Paul). Dave always gave Bernie a treat and hearty hello and pat when he came in. Bernie liked Dave.

My Mother, Father, Sister (Twin Cities). Cara helped out dogsitting at times and always asked how Bernie was doing. She is also one of the few people who know that Bernie used to work for CalTrans. Mom and Dad have a little land at their place and water too. Bernie loved water. My parents quickly warmed to Bernie once I moved here, and many of Bernie's happiest moments were spent romping around their land, chasing wildlife, and swimming their waters. She was a joy to watch play over there. It's one of those places where a dog can just be a dog.

Everyone Else (All Over). I'm sure there are some whom I've forgotten to mention specifically. Regardless, there are a lot of other people who were cool to Bernie, helped out, or simply expressed interest and/or sympathies. It's always nice when people realize and accept that your pet is a huge part of you and your life, and I met lots of those people through the years. So, thanks to everyone!

As always, thanks for reading. More to come.