When I first went to see Bernie at the animal shelter in 2007, she had a nameplate on her cage that read, Bernadette with "Bernie" in parentheses. I assumed she was probably named by one of the shelter volunteers but I thought it was a cute name and she seemed to respond to it, so we kept it.
For the first few months, when I would take her to my sister Lisa's house, I would sing The Four Tops song, Bernadette. Well, I guess I wasn't really singing it because I have no clue what the words are, so it went something like this:
Bernadette! Do do do do do do do do do do do Bernadette! Do do do do do do do do do do do Bernadette! Do do do do do do do do do do do
You get the idea.
"You're so weird", she would say as she looked at Bernie and shook her head.
It annoyed Lisa to no end, so being the dutiful sister, I just did it more.
The weather was warm over the weekend, so Bernie and I ventured to the park down the street. It's a little early in the season so there weren't many people there but I was anxious to tell Lisa at lunch on Monday about the couple we met.
Bernie and I were on the path behind the picnic pavilion that runs along the side of the creek when we spotted a couple walking toward us, laughing and talking in a very animated manner. As they got closer, we stopped to say hello and the woman asked me what my dog's name was.
"Bernadette", I responded. I always say Bernadette so people know she's a girl since the pink collar and rhinestone bone charm might not give it away.
A big smile came over her face as she said, "Bernadette? Really? Bernadette the Beagle?"
"Yes", I smiled and nodded.
Just then, she broke out in song and started dancing around.
"Bernadette! Keep on loving me....keep on needing me....Bernadette!"
I couldn't wait to tell Lisa that I wasn't the only one who thought of that song and felt the need to sing it around Bernie.
"Okay, fine," she said, "So you're not the only one who thinks of that song."
I smiled smugly as I leaned back in my chair.
Of course, I didn't tell her the woman was drunk.
We'll just keep that between us.
Hey Chrissy! It's perfectly natural! I always used to sing to my dog. Sadly he's long since passed, but I do remember how excited it made him, despite my poor singing. Perhaps he was trying to tell me something. Indigo
ReplyDeleteSo what if she was drunk? She still sang it! How cool! (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteAt least now you know some of the words. I'm sure Bernie appreciates it.
ReplyDeleteFunny how one word can spark a song and a flood of memories.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Catching up on my blog reading. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I always LOVE how you end your posts. It CRACKS ME UP!
ReplyDeleteOf course, as soon as I started reading that this post was about my favorite canine girl, I was all ears.
"since the pink collar and rhinestone bone charm might not give it away."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Please tell Bernadette that Uncle Ronnie loves her and that his nickname for her is Bern.
I hope she doesn't mind.
WOOF!
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Random validation by a stranger is often the best kind! (Wait.. that sortve describes blog comments, too... AWESOME!)
ReplyDelete...random validation, love that statement MsC. Cute story (and I sing and dance with my cats...)
ReplyDelete