BEACH METRO NEWS - "PET OF THE MONTH"
What’s
in a name? Everything. At least, that’s what I used to think.
It all started when I was a kid. Choosing the perfect name for
the nameless was my mission in life. From the figurines on my dresser to the stuffed animals nestling in every corner of my
room – nobody was overlooked.
I’ve
now graduated to naming living things, primarily the beagles we rescue through BIG ON BEAGLES (BOB). I’ve
thought up some pretty good ones too! Names like Dwight D. Eisenhowler (he arrived during the 2008 presidential campaign),
Vincent Priceless (it was getting close to Halloween), and HW (aka Hoover Worthsavington), to name a few.
As far as I was concerned, creative name selection was vital to
the promotion of our rescue beagles. Aside from adorable portfolio pics, what better way to grab the attention of prospective
adopters?
Then, along came Bonnie. At the risk of offending any Bonnies out there, the name had been used for shelter dogs far too often. Besides,
I’d been waiting to name our next beagle girl “Scarlet Johowlson”! It’s
wasn’t like she was married to the name Bonnie. She’d been a stray before Quinte Humane Society (QHS)
rescued her off the streets in October. But we didn’t take her in until a month later. They had to call her something
and she was used to it. When I arrived to take her away from the place she’d come to know as home, I couldn’t
bear to change that on her too. So I kept the name…with a slight twist. I couldn’t resist hyphenating and adding
“Pearl” at the end, to jazz things up.
It’s been over a month now since Bonnie-Pearl came to roost. For a short while, I mourned the loss of
dubbing her Scarlet Johowlson but then, something happened. I got educated by this little pointy-faced beagle whose
real name we’ll never know.
Before
I share her pearls of wisdom, allow me to explain why Bonnie needed rescuing in the first place. She’s small
and cute and you’d think easily adoptable at the shelter, but here’s the problem. Bonnie is an older girl and
that’s always a strike against you when competing with youngsters in the adoption room. Guessed at 7 to 9 years old,
she was ancient in comparison. She also came down with a bad case of kennel cough putting her out of commission
for weeks. That’s when the wonderful staff at QHS called us. They wanted her to receive the thorough veterinary care
senior dogs need and, ultimately, score a loving and committed forever family.
The veterinary care came first. Given the outcome, however, the forever family may
take a while to find.
Bonnie’s
examination revealed a significant heart murmur. She also had two rotten teeth in serious need of yanking. But neither dental
nor spay could be considered until a cardiologist determined whether her heart was willing. Thankfully, it was! Although Bonnie
has been diagnosed with mild to moderate mitral valve disease, she was able to undergo surgery. Paws crossed, she’ll
enjoy several years as a carefree beagle before the disease progresses and medication is necessary.
As for her pearls of wisdom, there are many. Bonnie has this enchanting
way of changing with every new day. Maybe the name “Ruby Tuesday” would have been more fitting. Just when I think
she’s finally picked the ultimate perch at home, she finds a better venue…at least until the next day.
Just when I think she should have been named
Greta Garbo because of her love for ‘alone time’, she’s insisting I pick her up for cuddles. Kisses are
conditional – upon what, I still haven’t figured out.
Just when I think the name Bonnie is too common, I’m shouting it from the rooftops.
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By
any other name would smell as sweet." [William
Shakespeare]
A name doesn’t make
a dog. It’s the other way around! But for name sake, our featured pet is a 7-9 year old beagle we call “Bonnie-Pearl”
although she prefers plain old “Bonnie” and periodically perks her ears to “Princess”. To be (Bonnie)
or not to be, she’s waiting for you at BIG ON BEAGLES (BOB) Rescue, www.bigonbeagles.ca!
