Thanks for sharing such wonderful stories. It is lovely to hear people speak of their dogs with such love and admiration.
Years ago when my son was 7 I was looking for a puppy for us both. I wanted a breed that would look "protective" but be good with my son. Not knowing a lot about specific breeds I was talked into a Dobe by our local dog obedience trainer. I searched around and was lucky enough to find a litter in a neighbouring suburb. I went to have a look, sat down in the middle of a mass of pups and one little girl promptly sat herself in my lap and did not move again until I was ready to leave. Of course she came with me We named her Bonnie because we thought she was so beautiful.
Bonnie was never needed (thankfully) to protect us and I have no idea if she ever would have. I have never known such a loving soul as she. She was "needed" one day and I have to say she stepped up to the mark admirably. My step sister visited with her three sons. The middle son was terrified of all dogs and seemed even more so when confronted by this black and tan "monster". His fear was palpable. I locked her outside, but to make up for it I went out a few times to sit with her and throw her ball to her. My step sister joined me on one occasion and of course her son followed his mother. To this day I don't know if Bonnie sensed his fear but she made no attempt to get close to him. Instead she stayed at the top of the steps to the yard and dropped the ball on the first step so it bounced down to where we were standing. We picked it up and threw it and she brought it back only this time she stopped on the first step and dropped the ball on the second step, and so on until she was bringing the ball and dropping it at his feet. One little boy went home that night a little less fearful of the canine world.
I loved Bonnie from the moment I met her but I fell in love with her all over again that day.
