The late Bonnie Bernardi, a long-haired Jack Russell terrier, poses by the sign reminding Middlebury dog owners to license their dogs in June. For 11 consecutive years, Bonnie proudly wore the No. 1 Middlebury dog license. (Submitted photo)
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Bonnie Bernardi, a long-haired Jack Russell terrier, lived with Jaime and Joe Bernardi in Middlebury for close to 14 years before her passing from cancer May 3. Those who drove down Reagan Road often saw her out in her yard, surveying her territory to make sure all was well.
Jaime said, “She was waiting for the school bus. She always waited for the kids to get off the bus.”
Those kids – Angelina, 11; Olivia, 9; and Joey, 7 – came along after the Bernardis got Bonnie from a Kansas breeder in 2002. “She was our first Christmas present in our new house,” Jaime said.
Jaime said she and Joe wondered how Bonnie would react when she met their first-born in 2004. It turned out they had no reason to worry. “She was gentle to the kids,” Jaime said. “She acted like a mother to them.” Jaime said whenever her son Joey would get into something, Bonnie would bark to get her attention.
Bonnie was number 1 in the Bernardi household and she was number 1 in Middlebury, at least when it came to dog licenses. She wore dog license No. 1 for the past 11 years.
Joe Bernardi made sure of that, arriving at Middlebury Town Hall well before it opened for business. If it was the first day dog licenses were on sale, Joe was waiting in the parking lot when town employees arrived.
Town Clerk Edith Salisbury said Joe would be outside by 7:30 a.m., even when the Town Hall opened at 9 a.m. instead of its current 8 a.m., which started in 2015. “Joe knew it was first come, first served to whoever was first in line, and he made sure he was first in line,” Salisbury said.
Joe also took the picture of Bonnie that is on the sign in the photo. That picture was taken when she was a year old.
To honor Bonnie’s memory, the Bernardi family reminds Middlebury dog owners to get their dog licenses in June. They will go on sale Wednesday, June 1, at 8 a.m. No licenses can be issued before that date.
Licenses are $8 for a neutered or spayed dog and $19 if they are not. Payment is by cash or check. Dogs six months and older must be licensed per state law. Proof of up-to-date rabies shots must be shown, as well as a certificate of neutering or spaying if your dog has not been registered before.
Registering dogs also can be done by mail. Middlebury residents who register by mail can send their check and paperwork to Town Clerk, 1212 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762.
Licenses purchased after June 30 are subject to a $1 per month late fee. The Middlebury Town Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 203-758-2557 with any questions.
You must be logged in to post a comment.