Farewell to two great pets |
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School kids that we often met on our walks were smitten with Bonnie – to many of them she was "Little Lassie" – and she basked in their affection.. And less than a week before she died, she was still accompanying John on half-mile walks. Reina was a little older than Bonnie and a lot less expensive when we purchased her for a pittance at a Sheltie shelter outside San Diego. In what sadly turned
out to be the final year of her life Reina made the long drive with
us in 2006 On our daily walks, people would say how pretty Reina was and how full of life. Everyone seemed surprised when they learned her age. She enjoyed those outings and would literally jump for joy whenever John got her leash. In part because of her, John is in better shape. Those early morning strolls she took him on benefited him while allowing her to retain her youthful vigor until the tumor took over a couple of weeks before her death. She deserved a much longer life.
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Our
noisy but lovable Shelties, Bonnie (left) and Reina, kept us and each
other company for 17 years. Now they are both gone. Bonnie died Oct. 10,
2005 at the age of 15 years, five months. Reina was 11 when she passed
away July 16, 2007.
She was
a devoted friend and companion who with this keen sense some animals
have was able to empathize with us when we were down. She could
"feel your pain," as a former president used to say. She also had a
remarkable memory; she could remember the exact route of a walk last
taken months earlier or people that she had not seen in years.
Perhaps even toward the end she could recall better times when she
was young and vibrant and eager to please.
from Chula Vista to our new home in Portland. Perhaps due to
mistreatment as a young pup, she was somewhat shier than Bonnie but
just as loyal and affectionate.