To Bernie, who I met one year ago
 

We met Bernie on New Year's Eve last year. We had just begun thinking about adding a boy to our family and had applied to rescue for "Beautiful Bernie".

When we got to his foster home I was just so impressed with his happy attitude and his friendly demeanor.

He'd had a rough life so far, and some medical issues...so dh and I had to talk.

We left, drove home (about an hour away) and stopped for dinner. While eating dinner, we came to the decision to bring him home with us.

The next week he came home to stay.

His birthday is in December, so, since we didn't know the exact day, we decided to make it December 31 (the day we met).

Bernie,

In the year I have known you you have stolen my heart! You have learned to trust us, you have become my constant companion, Ginger's best buddy and "big-little" brother, Fun Kitty's playmate, and Daddy's little boy. You have taught me the joy of bringing a "rescue" into our home. We are so happy and so lucky that we looked at the time when you were ready to come home.

Happy Birthday sweet guy!!!

I also know that feeling. Bless you both for adopting him.:animal-pa

Aww whata sweet story of bernie:) HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNIE sounds like you are very loved;)

Oops, here are some pics
 

His adoption pic from the website:
Attachment 180648

Bernie's car ride home (he was a little unsure).
Attachment 180649

Bernie at Grandmas (he was soooo skinny)Attachment 180650

Bernie this summer (look at that hair grow)Attachment 180651

awww happy birthday bernie:D

Oh Bernie my Buddy! I'm so gwad yur mommy gotted you! I wub you Bernie. :luvu: Happy Happy Birfday and Rescue Day!

Bernie looks so happy, and he's filled out beautifully. Congrats to you all for such a good match - and Happy Birthday to Bernie, as it truly is the day his (new) life began!

Happy Birthday Bernie!:bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :cheer:

:Birthday3 Happiest of Happy Birthdays to you Bernie...from Winston and I.
We're both so happy you found your forever home and that you are happy and safe.

Wow, from his first pictures to this last one ...can you ever see how happy is now is with you. :D

The toy in his mouth and contentment in his face is pawfect. :animal36

Happy birthday big boy!!!!

pooh's mum

Aww, I just got tears in my eyes, I am a softy!!! :rolleyes: HAppy Birthday cut boy!!!! I am glad you have a wonderful home with a wonderful family.

sanks evwybody! Mommy keeps sqwishin me and sayin' happy birfday Bernie...I wub mommy and all my yt fwends!!!

Bernie

Glad you are at your forever home Bernie~ :animal-pa

:bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa

Happy Birthday, Handsome!

:Birthday3

Happy Birthday Bernie. What a beautiful strory and a handsome guy!!!

Happy Birthday Bernie!!! What a sweet boy...

What a sweet story. Happy Birthday Bernie!

Well, its hewe! Today I'm offishully 2! I don fewl diffwent:rolleyes: . Hmm, maybe a widdle taller. Fanks for all da birfday wishes!!!

Bernie

Awwww, Happy Birthday Bernie:love: You are one lucky boy!

Sorry Bernie but I'm going to ask Mommy to sqwish you one more time
for me.:p
Happy Birthday handsome man.
:bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa

I am so happy you found you forever home

Hugs from us,

*sqwish*

To the Lucky Boy Bernie
 

:Birthday3 :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa :bigbdaypa

:Birthday3 Happy Birthday Bernie!

Happy Birthday Bernie!!!

Happy Birthday Bernie! He is sooo cute!

I LOVE your story!!! Happy Birthday Bernie!!:bigbdaypa

Happy Birthday, Bernie
 

Dear Bernie. Happy Birthday from Charlie and his Momma. Sending lots of smooches and hugs from Deborah, and a big "woof" from Charlie. Warmly, Deborah and Charlie:bigbdaypa :clapsmile :bigbdaypa :clapsmile :ghug: :2party: :2party:

For Bernie
 

Here in this house......

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, eve n if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.

I will be home.