Pet of the Day

June 21, 1998

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Bourbon, the Pet of the Day
Name: Bourbon
Age: 13 and three-quarters years old
Gender: Female
Kind: Alaskan Malamute
Home: California, USA
 
   Even though she's currently battling bone cancer, my family's dog Bourbon, an Alaskan Malamute with the sweetest, most expressive brown eyes, is just as beautiful today as she was nearly 14 years ago when my mother and two brothers brought her home as a small, blonde-colored, three-month-old puppy.

    The happiness, energy and zest Bourbon has exhibited her whole life are helping her fight this disease. She still wants to go for her walks and she excitedly pulls ripe figs off of a tree in my parents' back yard. She hasn't yet started her annual ritual of burying avocados strategically throughout the yard. When the season is over, she un-buries her stash, cleans them in her water dish and happily settles down to a ripe avocado in winter.

    Because she loves getting wet, summer is one of Bourbon's favorite times of year. When we are swimming, she runs along side the edge of the pool to check that we are okay. There is hardly a more pleasant summer sensation than coming up from underwater, only to have Bourbon's adorable face right there to greet you with a big lick on the face. Even though her breed makes her resemble a wolf, I have yet to meet a kinder dog. Instead of barking at strangers, her typical response is to sit and extend a paw as an offering of a handshake. She also loves to give "hugs" - she nuzzles her head and shoulder as close to one side of you as possible and stays there until you put your arm around her. My parents, brothers, sister and I appreciate every moment we have with Bourbon. We want her to be her jovial, lively self for as long as possible. She has given us endless love for her whole life and she always brings a smile to everyone's face.
 

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