Bono Sell – Irish Retriever Rescue

GOODBYE TO OUR DARLING BOY

In Carrie Ann’s own words “Bono passed on February 17th from a tumour that came on very quickly. He had what we thought was a pulled muscle in the November and it was downhill from there. We are, as you can imagine, heartbroken still. He was best friend to all of us.

Unfortunately we never had a date of birth for Bono so we celebrated his birthday on 22nd July as that was when he became part of our family.

As a single parent, I had always resisted having pets as I knew how much of a tie they were and felt I had enough responsibility over the years with three children but it was those children that talked me into getting a dog as they “didn’t want me to be lonely” as they all eventually moved out (I know – I’m a sucker!).

We met Bono and all fell in love instantly and I know Jas (his fosterer) was heartbroken to have to part with him so soon after him getting there – I believe he had only been with her a fortnight before we became his forever family.

He was truly part of our family. Even my Mum and Step-dad adored him and would look after him whenever I had to go away for work. The feeling was mutual and we just had to mention their names and he would run to the window or the door wagging his tail and looking for them!

My eldest son, James, although he would complain about having to walk Bono, simply adored him. Bono slept on his bed at night (and when he moved into the bigger room on the floor next to his bed) and would wait at the top of the stairs for him if I went to bed before he was home from work. James is totally heartbroken at losing the best friend he ever had and refuses to entertain the idea of a new friend.

Even my not-quite-three year old grandson misses him. My daughter and her partner were still living with us when he was born and, although Bono was jealous of the attention Ollie got from us all, he adored him and only tried to steal a couple of his toys haha! Of course, as Ollie started feeding himself, Bono loved him more and more (nothing to do with the constant supply of dropped tidbits to munch and sticky fingers to lick of course!). Ollie comes and stays every week while my daughter goes to work and even though Bono has been gone for nearly 6 months he still mentions him. Bono used to guard the cot when Ollie was sleeping, and was always so put out when we made him leave the room with us! (As much as Bono loved Ollie I’m still not daft enough to leave them alone together even when Ollie was sleeping – Bono was a dog, not a responsible adult!)

My artist daughter did a lovely painting of Bono. It hangs in my lounge where I can see him every day. She has also done a lovely pencil drawing for James as it was his birthday only 5 or 6 weeks after we lost him. I think it helped her as well. I don’t think she finds it the same coming home now he’s not here.

Bono wasn’t the brightest dog in the world but he was the BEST dog in the world. He made us laugh and cry. He melted our hearts and ultimately broke them by leaving us so soon but we will never regret opening them to him. He was our comfort in times of sadness and a constant source of joy. Now it is him I mourn and he isn’t here to comfort me; I am lost 🙁

I know he’ll be waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge and I will look forward to that in the (hopefully distant) future. I’m sure he won’t mind when we do eventually find a new friend to keep us company in the meantime – I’m sure James could be won over.

We would like to thank everyone for their lovely messages Carrie-Ann, James, Hannah, Georgie and Ollie”

SAD GOODBYES TO OUR BEST FRIEND (17th FEBRUARY 2014)

Many “IRR friends” kept Bono and his loving family in their prayers during the tough days ahead and did all they could to offer them support but, all too soon, on February 17th, Bono lost his battle and sadly passed to Rainbow Bridge. He was just 8 years old.

On 12th February 2014 we received this very sad message from Carrie-Ann “I just wanted you to know that we adopted Bono, originally called George, from IRR in the summer of 2008. He has been an complete angel and we love him so much.

Sadly he has developed a tumour on his liver and is extemely poorly now. We know it is only a matter of days before we have to let him go to Rainbow Bridge and would appreciate all your IRR prayers as we say our sad goodbyes.

Thank you for bringing him into our lives, he has brought us so much joy. Carrie-Ann, James, Hannah & Georgie xx”

Carrie-Ann said “Our lovely IRR dog Bono brought us so much joy and I miss him every minute of every single day (I still cry when I see another goldie). He had what we thought was a pulled muscle in the November and it was downhill from there 🙁

We are, as you can imagine, heartbroken still. He was best friend to all of us.”

BONO’S HISTORY

According to Jaspreet, his fosterer in Kent, George seems to be a perfect dog. He doesn’t go upstairs or jump on furniture and walks really well on a lead. He is not possessiveness towards food or toys, doesn’t bark, doesn’t jump up and shows no interest in escaping. He listens to every command (even when whispered), minds his own business, ignores cats and is brillant with all age groups and with both men and women. He gets on well with other dogs but is quite happy being an only dog where he can be pampered and spoilt.

He waits to be taken for a walk to do his big business and is fully house trained. At night, he settles in his crate effortlessly. He does not like to sleep in the light so he keeps on going into the sitting room which is dark. Someone has done a brilliant job with him and he seems so loving that we believe that his previous owner must have been distraught at giving him up.

He smells great and feels like very good quality soft wool ball, he is such a big and majestic fellow

If he has any faults, he can be a bit choosy with food and does not respond to George.

Because he is such an easy dog, he is going to live with a lovely family who are first time dog owners and who have been waiting for a perfect dog for ages. We think they have certainly found him in George.

REPORT FROM HIS FOREVER MUM, CARRIE-ANN

George (now called Bono) is fantastic! He is soooo happy and contented and we can’t believe our luck to have him! He does as he’s told (mostly!); sleeps in the kitchen without any fuss, eats all his meals with impeccable manners, sits for treats and to have his lead put on, waits when told and hasn’t chewed anything he wasn’t supposed to! He adores the children (can I still call them all that now that one of them is 20??) and has stopped barking at the door when they leave the house without him – now he just lays down and waits for them to come home again! We get a full body-wag when we come down in the morning which really starts the day off beautifully! He is a massive hit with everyone he meets and I can’t remember the last time I had so many strangers stop to talk to me!!

He is especially enjoying chasing the geese at the lake by our house – he’ll be really upset when they fly south for the winter! We have just got back from his second long walk of the day, this time incorporating a trip to the vet to be micro-chipped and he is dozing in his favourite spot in the hallway where he won’t miss anyone doing anything!

Here are our favourite pictures so far (sadly we keep forgetting to take the camera out with us!)