MEET BERNIE: A TALE OF A DOG AND HIS BOY, A HAPPILY EVER AFTER STORY

We love adoption stories with happy endings. There is nothing better than seeing our rescues find good homes where they are loved and become important members of the family. But sometimes something special happens. Sometimes a dog not only finds a home, but a purpose as well. That's Bernie's story for sure. 

"Bernie" came to us as "Jack." He was less than a year old, a big bundle of puppy energy all wrapped up in a Golden Doodle's gangly, teenage frame and curly-haired exterior. In his particular DNA, he got a Poodle's black coat and a Golden's square nose — a handsome dude, if ever there was one. He looked a bit like a canine Bruno Mars.

Jack's first family had three small children, which made it difficult for anyone to spend much time with him. He was on his own a lot. So, to be fair to Jack, his family brought him to WagsInn hoping we'd find him a new situation. 

His new family was waiting for him right around the corner. Sometimes, timing is everything. Jack needed a home. And a young man of 14 needed a dog. And so it was in May, 2017, that Jack met his people. This family of four, three boys and a single mom, had said goodbye to their beloved dog, Sparky in October of 2016. When Sparky's long life ended, it left a giant hole in their hearts, especially for the third boy. The older sons were living away from the house by then, and son number three missed them and his dog. In May, doctors diagnosed him with depression. 

That day, a thoughtful nurse took the mom aside and asked if there were pets at home. She was one of those medical professionals who had seen the wonderful effect that animals can have on people. She asked if a dog might be a friend to the boy, to ease his loneliness; something that could help bring him out of himself, something to draw his focus and give him a living being that he could take care of. The mom jumped on the idea. "Of course," she said, "We absolutely need another dog." 

That's when she contacted Lori. Lori said they should come and meet Jack. The whole family came to Wags. It was love at first sight. The mom said, "We absolutely want that dog."

That launched the adoption process. Application. Interview. Home visit. Lori took Jack to see his potential new home and meet the family in action. "Lori is very thorough and particular about placing dogs in adoptive homes," said the mom, "She needs to feel certain it's a good match." It was! And so Jack found his new family and most importantly, he found his boy.

(Here's the link to our adoption application:
http://wagsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/AdoptionApp_WagsInnCanineCharities2017-1.pdf ) 

Jack needed a new name, too. His human family already had a Jack, the middle son. The boys thought the dog should be called "burnt," as in "burnt toast," because of his charred-color coat. The mom wasn't so keen on that idea. They tried out "Burt" and "Bert," but, in the end, Jack the dog became "Bernie."

Bernie's life has been busy since then. He goes to work with his mom where he gets lots of attention. He greets everyone who comes into her office with a friendly wagging tail. Repeat visitors bring him treats and he has a long hall to run where someone will toss a ball for a midday game of fetch. Bernie is also on guard duty, watching his mom closely from the window when she has to go out, and patiently making sure she gets back okay, greeting her as if he hasn't seen her in years. "I've had dogs all my life," she said, "But Bernie has to be the best one ever — he's so smart and so lovable. I was having a bad day at work recently. Bernie came over quietly and put his head in my lap. How can you feel bad after that happens?" Sometimes she takes him on long walks in Woodland Cemetery where squirrels tease him into a game of "Chase Me."

Later on, Bernie will wait for his boy to get home from school This is the happy reunion part of his day. His boy is responsible for feeding him, getting him outside and for exercising. They might run crazy circles in the yard or go out for a leash walk. Maybe sons #1 and #2 will come over, and Bernie will have a play date with son Jack's dog, Presley (so named for his swively hips when he wags his tail.) At the end of the day, Bernie gets a good night's sleep on a giant bean bag at the foot of his boy's bed, content and confident that he has found his life's companion. 

Bernie, feeling quite at home!

Bernie has made a huge difference in his family's life and his boy's sense of purpose. Needless to say, this is a happy ending for Bernie's story too. But the story doesn't end there! Mom, boy, and dog are talking about taking Animal Assisted Therapy training so that they can become a dog therapy team with a mission to help others in the community. Sounds like Bernie will ace this assignment. 

This is the kind of adoption story that we love to tell — one where everyone lives happily ever after. Congratulations, Bernie! 

Isn't this where all dogs want to be? On the couch in their own home.

Bernie, ready for play time.