THE STORY OF ADOPTING BONNIE - A RESCUE DOG
The last four years has been about Jika (my faithful
beagle) and me roaming South Africa living as “gypsy”
contractors moving from one place to another. Jika was
always at my side – in the car, on the job, in the site
offices, at client meetings, in B&B’s, at friends
houses, at the pub and on holiday. We were never apart.
Then, I accepted a permanent position in Johannesburg
and we settled down. My contract specified that Jika was
permitted to come to the office with me. But, after 6
months of watching Jika sleep her days away under my
corporate office desk, I began to feel a little guilty.
And, so began the decision to find her a friend so that
they could stay home together and enjoy days lying in
the sun and playing in the garden. The thought of
training a puppy all over again did not appeal too much
especially as I still do travel onto the contracts and
have to stay in B&Bs. Jika also does not like puppies
very much!
So, I began to peruse the web-pages of the various
animal rescue organizations until I came across the
rather sad-looking photo of Bonnie – a beagle looking
for a home. I organized to meet her and once I saw her,
I could not possibly leave her behind. The interview and
adoption procedure followed and finally the day came
when I took her home. She was very timid. She entered my
home and looked rather surprised when she realized that
she was permitted to lie on the sofa. When I gave her,
her first meal of chicken hearts and pedigree biscuits,
she literally inhaled it. When I presented her with the
same meal the next day she looked even more surprised to
see the same treat twice. Jika and she were wary of each
other the first few days but soon they were playing,
running around the house using my furniture as launch
pads. And so, six weeks later, Bonnie has come into her
own and her name suits her. She is the bonniest little
dog. She has a very loving nature and she carry’s no
hang ups from her previous life’s neglectful experience.
Jika and Bonnie provide daily inspiration for the
stories that I write for my 10 year old niece in Canada.
Spiritually, the adoption of Bonnie has done wonderful
things for me. I look at her each day and know that
there is at least one good thing I have done in my life
– I have given a good home to one of God’s creatures
that needed protecting. I have had the extreme pleasure
of watching her grow from a skinny, sad, timid beagle
with little trust in humans into a fun-loving confident,
well-covered (not fat!) Beagle. I have had the pleasure
of watching Jika rediscover her young self and play
endlessly with Bonnie. I have had the pleasure of
watching the two of them lie on the sofa together at
night with one’s head on the back of the other. I have
had the pleasure of watching them run together in the
park as they follow a scent – two beagle bums next to
each other with the antennae tales straight up in the
air. I have the pleasure of knowing that Jika will have
a friend no matter where we travel.
And best of all, I have the pleasure of all the love
that Bonnie gives me everyday because she is grateful
for a second chance at life. And, I am grateful to have
her in my life because she has enriched it a hundred
fold.
My message to all caring people out there looking for a
pet – Adopt a Rescue Animal – the personal and spiritual
rewards are endless.
