Bono by Jessica Claycomb / Mommy, Daddy, Hayley and Hannah

My dear, sweet baby boy, Bono, was taken from me this past Sunday. He was chasing a rabbit, one of his favorite pastimes, and ran in front of a car. He lived for a few brief minutes and then died in my arms on the way to the vets.

He was not my dog to begin with. My ex-boyfriend got him as a puppy, more than anything to try and get me back. I fell for the sweet thing, and dedided to give my ex another chance. But as the puppy grew older, his owner became so mean. He would beat on him, push him down the stairs and even kick him. I always got between them and tried to protect the poor creature. Before long, the dog realized he could always come to me for protection. My ex was such a cruel man; he would talk about the dog’s future death just “to see if he could make me cry”. The man cheated on me and often left me home alone with only the dog. That is where Bono and I formed our special bond. What followed was months of me bouncing back and forth between this home and my mother’s. Even though Bo was supposed to be his, I always feared for the dog’s life, and took him with me. I eventually realized this man was unstable and I had to get out. I took my baby with me and we spent a few months with my mother.

Then the most amazing thing happened. I began dating a man that I had been friends with for a couple of years. He was recently divorced and was alone for the most part. He offered to keep Bo at his place. It was hard for me to leave my dog during the week; his new home was 1 1/2 hrs away. But I’d go stay with him every weekend.
My new boyfriend, Kenny, also has two beautiful daughters – one 8, one 4. After I moved in with them in November, my dog and I quickly became part of the family. We’ve lived a happy life the past 6 months; including a birthday party cookout we had for Bo last fall. Even though Bo was everyones dog, there was something special between he and I. He followed me everywhere I went and cried even when I would close the bathroom door. He slept in our bed everynight, usually with his head in the crook of my neck. Everything I did was in
consideration for him. Arrangements had to be made when we went on vacation, relatives would stop in sometimes on workdays to feed him or just play with him a few minutes. My life will never be the same now.

I haven’t had alot of human friends, so Bo was my best friend. I didn’t plan on having children, so he was also my son. I truly believe he was sent here from heaven to take care of me during a rough time and I in return took care of him. He was my “white angel”. He taught me how to love and trust. A creature so gentle and loving – he never bit in anger. He made friends with everyone he met. My family never was very good at expressing love and I think Bo has also taught me how to express love to everyone I care about. I told him so many times a day “mommy loves you”. I never left the house without speaking those words to him. And those were also my final words to him as a sat on the ground beside the hole Kenny and his dad had dug. Bo lay peacefully in the box that was built for him, laying on his rug, surrounded by his toys and some flowers. Bo wore a tag on his collar that said “I love my person” and I had a pin that said “I love my dog”. Before I said goodbye, I put my pin on his collar so him would never forget how much I love him. I visit the grave everyday and speak to him. I will probably continue to do this for as long as I am able.

I believe that I will see him again someday. He will most likely be standing at the gates of heaven waiting to give me hug as he always did here on Earth…

 

We love you!!