Little Miss Gabrielle Sheresky, a purebred Labrador (who prefers Gabby, thank Lassie!), is definitely one of the most ex-ZOO-bug-rent, in-THOOZY-astick puppers I’ve ever met. Soon as the front door opened, she bounced right up to greet me and my assistant with welcoming bumps, kisses and joyful Wiggle Butt.
Gabby is a super pretty yellow lab, the kind who looks white at first, then you noticed some pale, suttle gold places.
“Come on Mr. Bonzo. Let’s go sit out on the patio, OK? It’s our favorite place, plus it’s right by my pool an, oh, sorry, I almost forgot, this is my mom Barbara and my dad Ray.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” I said. “I’m Bonzo (call me Bonz) and this is my assistant.”
We got seated. I opened my notebook and addressed Gabby.
“I understand you were born and raised by a Labrador breeder on a sort of farm?”
“Yes, it’s troo. It was in a state called Muh-ZOO-ree. Us puppers got to run around all over the fields and stuff. It was way fun!
“The breeder was gonna have me be a puppy mommy, but then they decided to retire or something so me and my fellow puppers got put on sale on the NET because we all needed to find forever families.
“Anyway, around the same time, my future mom and dad had a Lab they totally loved, Bella. But, in March, twenty twenty three, she got to be 13 which is a lot in Dog, and she had to go to Dog Heaven.
“Mom and dad were very sad but by the end of October, they realized they really, really missed having a dog, specifically a Lab, so they went on the NET looking for an older lab, not a puppy, and found us. We were 2 by then. They picked me; I think it was Meant To Be.
“The breeder, who was very nice, drove me to a place called Jax-un-vill, and mom and dad drove there to fetch me.”
“What was that like, Miss Gabby?” I inquired.
“Well, Mr. Bonzo, I have to say I was a little nervous, so, when the car door opened so me and my forever mom and dad could meet in the fur, I didn’t wanna get out of the car. When I peeked out, I didn’t recognize anything. Where was our barn? Where were the fields and stuff? Where were my brothers and sisters? I was very confused.”
“I can totally imagine,” I told her sympathetically.
“It took a lot of coaxing by mom an dad and probably the breeder lady, but then guess what? Mom picked me up very gently an it was love at first sight. I suddenly knew I was gonna be safe an happy an I WAS! And I am! And I turned 3 this past November.”
“That’s inspiring, Miss Gabby,” I said. “So, how long did it take to get used to your forever, family an your new life?”
“Well, full disclosure, it was a bit of what humans call a challenge.
“See, because us puppers had been running around in the fields most of our lives at that point, we never actually learned that there are specifically designated spots to Do Our Dooty. An that we couldn’t just go potty in any old spot. I mean, we’d always had the whole outdoors!”
“Oh Woof! I exclaimed.
“Plus,” she continued, “we never learned anything about leash walks. I didn’t even know what a leash was.”
“Oh, woof!” I repeated, envisioning both scenarios.
“But that’s OK Mr. Bonzo. We uh-VEN-chilly got it all figured out. I’m very careful and don’t chew stuff I shouldn’t so I’m allowed on all the furniture: EXCEPT THE COUCH!
“I love car rides an snuggles! I just have the best life! I have lots of pooch and human pals and I get to do my favorite things!”
“Like what?”
“Swimming and catch! Watch!”
Gabby ran around to the far side of the pool an her dad tossed a frisbee into the water. She was just about to leap in after it when her mom hollered, “WAIT! YOU STILL HAVE YOUR COLLAR ON!!”
I thought it was too late cuz Gabby was still in Jump Mode. But, she came to a screeching halt right at the edge! I was TRAY impressed.
Soon as her dad removed her collar, Miss Gabby launched herself, sailed gracefully high into the air, hit the water, and grabbed the frisbee. It was gorgeous!
After a few more amazing dive/catches, she climbed dripping out of the pool and trotted around to where we were all sitting.
“Impressive!!” I said.
“Thank you, Mr. Bonzo! My dad calls me Katie Ledecky, who’s also a good swimmer.”
Gabby then executed a perfect Traditional Pooch Post-Pool Shake-Off, getting as close to us as possible for maximum effect. Thousands of droplets sparkled in the air. It was very impressive.
“Tell me about your pals,” I urged.
“I have so many! There’s Scarlett, she’s a lab; and, Gracie, a bulldog with the cutest underbite, they’re my BFFs. Me and my boyfriend, Charlie, love playing on the beach. He’s younger than me so my mom says I’m a cooler (whatever that means). Mr. Ed, the gate person, always gives me a cookie. I like hanging with grandpa Karl, who gave me a funny looking squeaky chicken that sounds like an actual chicken; and Jim the pool guy. He has a cat. I never met a cat officially, but I sometimes pass one on a leash when I’m on my leash walks. I keep my distance. I’m pretty sure it knows what I’m thinking.
“Whenever my pooch friends come over, mom makes our favorite treat, Frosty Paws! She takes banana, pumpkin, peanut butter, and Greek yogurt, mashes ’em all together, and freezes ’em. Delicious! All my friends love coming Over.
“I also love canna-lope and blueberries, one blueberry atta time, also cooked green beans and scrambled eggs.”
Heading home I was picturing charming Gabby gracefully sailing through the air after her frisbee and daintily enjoying one blueberry atta time. And figuring out how I could get that frosty paws recipe for my grandma.
