Annie was a Champion

We lost Annie this past Monday morning, January 8, 2024. She has begun her journey to Rainbow Bridge. She was a sweet, loving pet and she was a champion. She was also a part of a number of 'firsts' for the Frank Family.

Number one 'First'
She was the first dog that was raised as a puppy. Nancy, after her retirement from teaching, wanted to raise and train a dog. She did her research and decided that she wanted a Labrador Retriever. Her next step was to do more research and find the right breeder. She found a 'breeder of merit' located in Northern California. We traveled to see this breeder and her new litter of puppies. Nancy chose a female, yellow Labrador Retriever which we later brought home when she was eight weeks old. Her AKC Registered Name was Bayside’s Maiden By The Sea Annabellee and her Call name was Annie.

Number two 'First'
Both Nancy and Annie participated in a new sport for both of them, Scent Work. Scent Work is when you train a dog to find a hidden odor or odors. Those odors may be dog scents, human scents, or even the scent of essential oils or drugs. You have probably seen some of these dogs before. They are used to sniff out drugs, airport security looking for explosives, search and rescue, and even cadaver dogs. Nancy and Annie would participate in Scent Work trials to evaluate their skill level. Nancy would comment sometimes that Annie was a great Scent Work dog, but it was her handler that sometimes made the mistakes. 

Number three 'First'
Annie became a champion in Scent Work competition. She successfully passed the novice, master, advanced, excellent, and the Detective trials. She passed all of them and became a champion. When it came to Scent Work, Annie was a natural and this was one of her favorite activities. I have never seen another dog as focused as Annie when it came to Scent Work. 

Number four 'First'
Annie was our first certified therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people, often in settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools and libraries. Nancy would take Annie to one of the local elementary schools one day a week. For many of the students, that one day a week was one of the highlights of their school week. You could hear the students almost yelling - Here comes Annie!

Some of Annie's favorite activities
Walking - when it came time for a walk she would be waiting there right by the door. Nancy usually walked the dogs two times a day, and Annie was ready to go.
Fetch - she loved playing fetch. In fact, Nancy would have to limit her throws so Annie wouldn't play so hard and get sick.
Frisbee - I think she liked playing frisbee more than she did playing fetch and she was pretty good at it.
Swimming - Nancy use to take her up to the lake where she would swim and hike the trails with her. She was an excellent swimmer.
Going to the ocean - I have always felt that this was one of Annie's all-time favorites. She would run out in the ocean when the wave went out and let the wave carry her back to the beach when the wave came in. It was truly something to watch.

On a personal note, Annie showed me joy in little things. Since I am the last to go to bed at night in our family, I always check on the rest of the family. Every time I would go by and check on Annie she would open her eyes, wait for me to pet her, wag her tail and go back to sleep. Every morning on my breakfast cereal Nancy would put some sliced bananas on top and Annie would come and sit by me, waiting for me to feed her a couple of those banana slices. If we ran out of bananas, I would go to the store and pick up some bananas just to make sure that Annie would have some in the morning. Since Annie had lost some of her back teeth, I would cut up her evening treats so they would be easier for her to chew. Those were just some of the little things I enjoyed doing with/for Annie. I will sure miss doing them!

We will meet again at Rainbow Bridge!

 

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown