Friday 4 December 2009

R I P Bonnie

I haven't felt like blogging last couple of days, because I'm grieving Penny's mate Bonnie. Every Tuesday for years Bonnie has spent the morning with us, and many's the time we walked together when Bonnie was younger. Penny would race around while Bonnie just quietly, slowly explored.




From the first, Penny always deferred to Bonnie, never objecting when Bonnie took Penny's favorite mat.



The time was coming when Bonnie would have been too old, too blind and too deaf to continue to enjoy a fulfilling quality of life, but we didn't expect she would go as a result of that nightmarish possibility that haunts all dog owners - a car accident in her own yard. Bonnie died immediately, so she's at peace. It's the humans who continue to suffer anguish, wishing things could have been different.

But sometimes things just happen and there's nothing we can do about it.

Bonnie lived for three days of the week with Scruffy, the dog who lost his best mate this year. Now he's lost Bonnie also, so he's going to get lots of loving to help him get over it.

It was sad to see Scruffy lying across Bonnie's body as we tried to prepare her for burial. We gave him some time to realise she was dead and eventually he let us lift her and take her to the grave we had dug, standing beside us as the dirt was softly laid over her.

It was only recently that I took this photo of Bonnie, Scruffy and Penny resting together on a very hot day.



Here's Bonnie as I'll remember her - resting comfortably in our kitchen.



And here are some of my previous posts about Bonnie:
she explores Darebin Parklands after welcome rain;
mooching around our garden at her own pace while Penny races around in ecstatic welcome;
quietly asserting her dominance over Penny, her greatest admirer.

Penny will miss Bonnie too, but given Bonnie's age we would have had to cope with this issue soon anyway. It's the humans who suffer, having experienced the trauma of her sudden death. Penny wasn't there so she doesn't know anything except that Bonnie won't visit any more.

Unfortunately, Scruffy saw the accident, so he's the one we have to care for.

11 comments:

Slavenka said...

"One last word of farewell, dear master and mistress. Whenever you visit
my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also happiness in your hearts
at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who
loves us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear
you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a
grateful tail."

Eugene O'Neill

Noah the Airedale said...

Oh no, that is so sad. Her poor humans. Thank goodness Bonnie didnt suffer.

Thinking of you all.

D Noah Willow Tess Lucy

bbes tribe said...

We were visiting Noah and dropped by to say hi. So sorry to hear about Bonnie. We also think of our pups as family. Bonnie surely was part of yours. It is very hard and not easy. Sounds like you have some really good memories of times spent with her. We think that helps. Takes time!!
Love
Ernie & Sasha's Mom

parlance said...

Noah, Slavenka and bbes tribe, thanks for the comments. I know Bonnie is okay now, not suffering, and it was so quick that she couldn't have felt anything. In fact, she didn't even make a noise, I think. But somehow even that knowledge doesn't take away the pain of it all.

Slavenka, I'd like to think of Bonnie wagging a grateful tail, because she was rescued some years ago from a bad home.

And I'm starting to remember the good times and not those last few minutes. I know the good memories will eventually crowd aside the bad one.

bbes tribe said...

Glad you stopped by to visit us. We'd be glad to have you visit anytime.
Love
Ernie & Sasha & their Mom

Molly the Airedale said...

We're so sorry to hear about Bonnie! It's so hard to lose a beloved friend.

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

parlance said...

Thanks, Maggie and Mitch. Already the first shock is fading - though it will be hard on Tuesday when Bonnie doesn't arrive as usual.

But that's life, I guess.

theregatha said...

I am so sorry to hear of the accident and death of Bonnie. We lost one of our little friends via a ridiculous car accident a few years ago, and I still remember the awfulness of the following few days. My love to you all as you work through the loss of your friend and companion.

parlance said...

Theregatha, cars are a blessing and a curse, aren't they?

Teal'c said...

Hi Parlance and Penny! We are so sorry to hear about Bonnie! :( But she is in doggie heaven now with all the other dogs, heaps of toys and bones and no obedience training... So we think she is happy.
Lots of licks from me and a virtual hug from my human - Teal'c

parlance said...

Teal'c, thanks to you and also to your human. Bonnie was a sweetie. Very quiet, due to having had a horrible first home, but calm and restful to have around.