Our Good Boy

ON A BEAUTIFUL SPRING AFTERNOON, following a peaceful morning and a family walk filled with sunshine, our Boonie Boy crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Snuggled on his blanketed bed on the deck and smothered in the warm sunshine he so enjoyed, we told him what a good boy he had been and how much he was loved. A check up and x-rays at the vet the day before revealed an unknown long-time tumor on his left shoulder which was the cause of an occasional limp. That same limp had turned into an ongoing concern which the prescribed meds no longer helped. 

Boonedocker’s first photo at 1-1/2 years courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society 2011

This boisterous boy entered our lives when we volunteered at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Healing our hearts by volunteering for the week following the loss of our Golden Retriever Tucker, Jim and Boone locked eyes over breakfast and the adventures began. Starting out in our 19’ Winick Bambi Airstream, we headed from Kanab, Utah to Mesa Verde National Park. The next morning breakfast was cooked up and in the blink of an eye he absconded with a pound of crispy fried bacon from the picnic table. We feel from this time forward he knew he had it made.

We arrived home to Ojai where we introduced g’boy Jack to Boone – June 2011

Ojai morning walks with Jack, g’girl Betsy, Piper (rescued in 2013) and Papa Boone. This name was chosen for Papa by the g’kids – 2015

Between that first hello and our final snuggle, this handsome RezMutt from the Navajo Nation in Arizona had rolled in an Airstream from Alaska to Key West; San Diego to Maine and all parts in-between. He enjoyed a decade of the good life living in Ojai, California; the past four years living full time in our Airstream Classic; and six weeks at home in Bend. He loved meeting new dawgs and quickly turned into a puppy and encouraged a good game of chase. At the top of his list were walks, which basically turned into sniff-fests; golf cart rides, dawg parks, a warm fire at cocktail time and a good muttie butt scratch. In his definitive black & white tux, he was always dressed for the occasion and when I pulled out my harmonica, he was the soprano singer in the family hitting the highest notes.

Alaska to Key West

….Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Kentucky, Utah

Boone & Piper living the Airstream life!

He loved Ojai along with adventures at his Tahoe mountain home!

We are forever grateful to have had so many years with our Camp Dawg. Those who share their life’s journey with a dawg know the absolute magic they bring to the game. Thank you for the beautiful memories and wet kisses, sweet boy. Godspeed and rest well, Boonedocker.

Boonedocker B. Polk October 24, 2009 – April 9, 2025