* Bonnie * - the angel
My beloved Bonnie is gone now.
I miss her terribly already. I feel so fortunate to have known her and loved her for so long. She was such an important spirit... such a joy and such a great light in our world. It was really hard saying goodbye to her.
Bonnie is the alpha dog. She is so adamant about her duties and so dedicated to being the best dog she can be. It really has been incredible knowing her. - The girls.. My silly Bessie and Bonnie have been afraid of storms for a long time... - something they picked up from Anne. - Bessie would hide... cower ... move furniture and even try to bury herself in a corner ... when the thunder rolled... but Bonnie? She was terrified... but she wouldn't hide. She would stand there and shake... but it was almost like she couldn't bring herself to stop doing her job... she had to gaurd the property.. protect us... and be .... Bonnie.
The good people at Redland Animal Hospital - who have taken care of her medical needs all her life - came out to the house to put her to sleep. It was a very special moment in my family. All of us gathered around her. Bessie was there too.
We masaged her and talked about all the great things she was and is.
They came in and brought the meds, and a stretcher - and a towel, ... they put the towel on the stretcher and layed it on the porch, while we talked to the vet and all hugged and petted Bonnie. She was lying on the grass.... and she actually got up... and hobbled to the stretcher... almost fell a couple steps.... but she went to it... smelling it... and stood on it and then looked up at my dad. I was sobbing by this point... of course. Dad helped her lay down... and ...
well....
it was over pretty quick.
Bessie said her goodbyes.
She was and still is very confused by all of this.
Leah started crying and went in the house. I went in and comforted her, and she went to the bathroom and said that she wanted to be alone for a bit.
I went back out and helped them fasten Bonnie's body in on the stretcher and opened the gate for them to take her away.
We have let Bessie be on the lanai - probably let her stay there if she wants... so she can be closer to us.
*sniffle*
Thank you to all of you who have and will offer your comfort.
I know a lot of people who are also dog lovers.. and animal lovers in general... and I know you all know how hard this is for me.