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Blogs by Rosetta McHugh
The loss of a four legged friend. 10/19/2012 12:07:35 PM
The Bernese Mountain dog that inspired my first children's book is no longer with us. But what a life to be celebrated. Sydney was not our first dog. She was however, our first Bernese Mountain dog. Though she was a female she was the inspiration for my first children's" book titled, "Poodiky Oglethorpe".
My daughter spent a lot of time researching the breed before settling on Sydney. She always had trouble making up her mind about things, whether it be what candy bar to purchase or what to order in a drive through. Choosing a Berner was no different.
We had already owned the normal breeds, such as our collie, poodles, a lab, but there was something special about the Berner. They are not a typical dog and probably not for the first time pet owner. With our experience with dogs in the past, we aquired this puppy thinking we knew all that we needed to own such a wonderful breed.
Surprise!!!! There is so much more to raising a Bernese Mountain dog than was ever written in any book. In fact, the many books we read gave a false sense of hope. Not only do you have to give food, water and love to the little creature, you have to discipline and train them. All of our previous dogs were well trained and well behaved. We gave a command, they obeyed it. So we were not ready for the dog that decided she needed to think through every thing we taught her, and she needed it to be her own idea. Also, we had to say it to her in a nice way or she would shut down and do absolutely nothing. We were so not ready for this kind of thinking from a dog.
After regrouping and rethinking the whole process and relearning a few things, I am proud to say Sydney turned out to be a wonderful blessing to have in our home. She was our "learner Berner".
When Sydney passed away at the age of nine years old, she left a huge empty space in our home and our hearts. But for me, she will live on in my memories and my future inspirations for stories to tell children. She will forever be my "Poodiky Oglethorpe".
