Hello again

[Katie]

Hello, I was a member here, but then I lost my beloved Ruff in an appalling accident. Ruff had been a life changing dog. When I got him I was obese. 3 weeks before his death I ran my first ultra marathon. He was 3 years old when he died.

I said I would never have another dog, losing Ruff was so traumatic. But I almost stopped running, I started to regain weight, I was just going through the motions.

Then Santa brought me a present. Bonnie. I am now the proud owner of a 10 week old F1b fluffy apricot/ red girl :) already I cannot imagine life without her. She cannot run with me until she is fully grown ( we are at the vet on Tuesday for vaccinations so I will discuss running then) so I am going to concentrate on shorter distances this year, and work on speed. Having not raced since Ruffs death, I am doing a short fun run in the park on Tuesday evening. Bonnie will have to stay home with my daughter this time, but soon she will come to races with us to watch :)

Ruff is in my avatar, but soon I will change it for Bonnie, as soon as I get my photos onto the computer. I still miss Ruff every day, and in no way can Bonnie replace him, but she is her own funny, unique self and is finding her own place in the family. She is great. She is clean and dry in the house, good in her crate (ruff hated the crate) and last night slept from 10:30 to 5 am!

So hello again, from Bonnie and me.

Katie in New Zealand.

PS if I have changed my avatar by the time you read this...the picture is Ruff if it's a phantom, Bonnie for a red puppy.

[Katie]

I'm so sorry to hear about Hondo. Do you have a new puppy now?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh yes, Hondo died in 2010 and we had Groucho Too (phantom goldendoodle) who needed a companion.  So we got Harpo (an ALD) and when Groucho Too died of cancer last February, we got Zeppo as a companion for Harpo.  Dogs that have been raised with other dogs really need their companionship.  I also have a sheepadoodle ordered for later this year.

[Katie]

Gosh, thank you for all the welcome back messages! I love the idea of a jogging stroller for Bonnie…not sure what hubby would think!

I have uploaded some photos of Bonnie. If you are wondering about the weather….southern hemisphere summer!

Bonnie's first day home

Asleep with her rabbit 

Katie

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

You and Bonnie look sooooo happy!  Congratulations!  You look marvelous!

[Michele Ghee]

What a happy picture!

[Katie]

And just so you know what Ruff did for me…..

This is Ruff and me before I took up running to keep up with him….I'm not throttling him, honest!!

And this is Ruff and me after I had taken up running in order to keep up with him (very high energy dog). I ran all the way up there from absolute sea level (actually below sea level at high tide!)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Awesome, Kate!  I hope Bonnie keeps you running too!

[Michele Ghee]

Precious memory!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Wow, you and Ruff are rocking' it!  Bonnie couldn't be any cuter and you two look so happy together.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Katie. Welcome back. Losing a dog that you love is more heart-breaking than words can describe. I know, and so do many here on DK. I'm sorry about Ruff. But as you now know, adding a puppy helps to fill the void, and brings much love and joy to your life. Bonnie will help get you back on your feet (so to speak). She's a beauty, and it looks as if you're both red heads! A perfect match!

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Welcome back, Katie!  I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how painful that is.  I'm glad you have a new puppy to love again - what an adorable gift Bonnie is!  I look forward to seeing her grow!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Welcome back !!!