Old proverb: "To speak the names of the departed is to make them live again."

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Bookhout-Morgan Dog Rescued from Death's Doorstep

Annie Bookhout and Bob Morgan of Brooktondale, NY are $6,000 poorer but at least they have rescued their poor Chesapeake Bay retriever, Brutus Morgan, from a certain death.

Brutus, one of three Chessies in the household, discovered a large bag of artificial sweetener and decided to sample a bit, make that sample the whole bag.  It wasn't long before Brutus's kidneys shut down forcing him to undergo extensive rescusitative veterinary procedures, which may yet result in the new wing at the dog and cat hospital being named in his honor.

To say the least, Bob and Annie are relieved.

Annie is very attached to all her dogs, especially Jake Bookhout, who she describes as her service dog.  Jake miraculously has a special doggy sense that he can draw upon when Annie, a diabetic, has an adverse insulin reaction in her sleep.  Fortunately this does not happen often but when it does, Jake immediately wakes Bob up and Bob brings her orange juice to balance her sugar and insulin levels and prevent insulin shock. 

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are an American breed of hunting dog with a love of water, having webbed feet to aid in swimming and powerful chests to break the ice when duck hunting.  They have a bright and happy disposition, courage, willingness to work, alertness, intelligence and an unyielding devotion to their masters.

Bob and Annie have another Chessie, Madeleine, who was rescued from a Chesapeake retriever sanctuary in nearby Watkins Glen, NY.  

Bob continues to run his trucking company and Annie maintains a large boarding stable with a 60 x 120-foot indoor riding ring and stalls to house dozens of horses.  She currently has pared down the number of her own horses from 18 to 14 but still looks after eight boarders of varying descriptions.

Annie recently observed her 63rd birthday and reports she has greatly improved vision after cataract surgery in December.


A Chesapeake Bay retriever


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