Dog of the Month: December 2016

How our Dog of the Month program works: Each staff member provides a nomination for the distinguished honor, and then we vote. The highest vote wins! Any pup who visits us during the prior month is eligible. Our December 2016 winner is none other than 007 himself.

Bond

Sometimes pets come along that teach us way more than we can teach them. For Jenn Nudelman, 6-year-old Bond is one of those pets. Jenn has felt this way about Bond since she adopted him on October 30, 2011. But the feeling is even stronger since Bond was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had his front left leg amputated.

“Dogs are so resilient. They can teach us so much about survivorship,” Jenn says. “Bond has stood by me through my own battle with breast cancer. And I will be there for him every step of the way as he lives with osteosarcoma.”

Bond is a Great Pyrenees who was brought to the Pacific Northwest from Texas via the National Great Pyrenees Rescue. “I was considering adopting a Great Pyr when a photo of Bond, with his uniquely golden eyes and gentlemanly personality, captured my heart,” Jenn remembers. In fact, those eyes are due, in part, to how the pooch was named. “The rescue named him Bond for James Bond,” Jenn says, “because of his debonair personality and ‘golden eyes.’”

Jenn provided Bond with his fourth home in his first two years of life. “He traveled a long road to get to me,” she says, “and he suffered from separation anxiety for his first six months with me.” And maybe that’s why Jenn happily serves Bond “Gucci kibble” (aka Acana brand dog food) that’s topped with homemade crockpot stew. Even now, Bond still just wants to be wherever Jenn is. He indicates that it’s time for attention by gently pawing at Jenn when she stops petting him.

Still, Bond is a Great Pyrenees, a breed known to guard (not herd). “Bond takes his duty to protect very seriously,” Jenn says. “He gets along with everyone, human and animal alike. He is gentle, yet assertive in his guardian duties. Bond has a special place in his heart for young children and the elderly. He’s like the pied piper walking through the neighborhood. The kids, even those tentative about dogs, come running out to pet him. He’s always quick to greet them and offer a paw to gain their acceptance. He really is a special boy.”

In November, Bond (aka The Bondsman, Buddy, and Love of My Life) had his surgery, and Jenn says it was probably harder on her. “The first two days were difficult, seeing Bond in pain, immobile, and feeling helpless,” she says. “But on day three, Bond stood up by himself! Each day, he amazes me.”

Since going back to work, Jenn purchased a petcam to check on Bond while she’s away. And when she comes home, Bond comes to the door to greet her. “He doesn’t want his physical limitation to limit his love of life and desire to guard his flock,” Jenn says. “Bond still patrols the house by moving from lookout to lookout within our home. He’s even learned how to balance and offer his only front paw while lying down. Bond is a fighter, and we pray each day that he will beat the odds, because he deserves nothing less.

“Bond can now manage the stairs, up and down, with assistance. Activity takes more effort now, but Bond is a true Pyr and strives to be independent. He still has a lot to teach us about pyrseverence, so I predict he will fight to stick around for some time to come.”

We second your prediction, Jenn, and delight in each visit with you and Bond! Thanks for being part of the Rainier Veterinary family!