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.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hi Katie,

Welcome Back

Maybe, for the first year, you can put Bonnie in a running stroller and take her with you.  Great company for you, wonderful socialization for her!   I think it is win win

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Brilliant idea...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

[Katie]

Cool!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Great idea Joanne!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Welcome back!  Love Joanne's idea of the stroller.  Looking forward to seeing photos of your new little girl!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear about Ruff but delighted that you now have Bonnie.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Same here.   Congratulations on Bonnie

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Welcome back Katie! My deepest condolences on your loss of Ruff. But thrilled for you that you have been able to find room in your heart for Bonnie. It is so true that these furkids are the best Therapists in the world!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Life is so full of ups and downs.  I'm sorry to hear about your loss of Ruff....but happy for you that you have a new Doodle to love.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Welcome back, Katie.  I am so very sorry about Ruff.  No, you can't replace him but one's heart simply expands for the new pup.  Welcome to doodlekisses, Bonnie.  I can't wait to see pictures.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Welcome back.  I know what a hard time it can be when you lose a heartdog.  Hondo was my heartdog and I still cannot bury his ashes.  Bonnie will heal the place in your heart, but you will never forget Ruff.  Enjoy moving on in the new year and have a great time with that new puppy.