An adorable Shih-Tzu captivated the hearts of Rapid City Journal readers and nabbed the title of Pet Idol

By Deb Holland, Journal Staff Writer | Thursday, December 14, 2006

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And the winner is …

Bobbie Sue — a tiny silver and white Shih-Tzu — received the most votes in the Rapid City Journal’s Pet Idol competition held recently.

Moreover, the 13-year-old petite pooch from Spearfish captured the hearts of many through the contest, her mama, Joan Bockwoldt of Spearfish, said.

“She is the most perfect little doggie,” Joan said. “She has taught us that not all angels have wings. Some have cold little noses and four short little legs.”

As the top vote-getter, Bobbie Sue will be awarded $500, which Joan said she will donate to the Spearfish United Methodist Youth Missions Team that helped solicit votes for the pooch.

Brenda Swanson, the group’s director, said the youths set out a display at their annual Easter pancake breakfast with a photo of Bobbie Sue and a donation basket.

“She’s such a cutie,” Swanson said of Bobbie Sue.

The high school students will use the money to help build houses in remote areas of Mexico during a mission trip this summer, Swanson said.

“I am so excited and grateful for the wonderful things this $500 is going to make possible,” Joan said.

It also will serve as poignant memory for Bobbie Sue’s owners. The Bockwoldts learned last fall that Bobbie Sue has kidney failure.

“Our dreams that she would live with us for a very long time were quickly shattered when we got the news,” Joan said. “So, I entered her in the Pet Idol contest wishing that something good could happen in celebration of her precious little life.”

Joan said she was thrilled to see Bobbie Sue’s photo in the newspaper for all to enjoy.

“I had to laugh because 217 other people thought their pets were the perfect pets also,” she said.

The Bockwoldts adopted Bobbie Sue when she was 8 years old. She has lived with them for nearly five years.

“It was love at first sight,” Joan said.

The dog came from a family who couldn’t keep her because they traveled so much.

Joan’s husband, Lyle, was a little skeptical that someone would want to get rid of a dog after eight years.

“I told him we would try her for one week to see how it went,” Joan said.

It was a match made in heaven. Bobbie Sue needed the Bockwoldts, and they needed her.

“She has been such a blessing in our lives,” Joan said.

Some of Bobbie Sue’s favorite pastimes are going on walks with Joan and sitting in a chair with Lyle.

“She is so mellow. Sometimes, she’ll bark when someone rings the doorbell. Then, I’ll tell her: ‘That’s OK honey. I’ve got it,’” Joan said.

Joan, a retired teacher, and Bobbie Sue take about three walks a day within five blocks of their home.

The doggie also enjoys rides to the post office with Lyle.

“She’s got her own little carrier in the back seat so she can see out,” Joan said.

Even with kidney failure, Bobbie Sue has been a trooper, Joan said.

“She doesn’t act sick at all,” she said. “When the doctor first told us, he said she maybe had six months. We’re in our seventh month, and she’s still popping right along.”

The Bockwoldts are hopeful they will have more time with Bobbie Sue — time for Lyle to feed Bobbie Sue her daily allotment of treats.

“We can give her one treat that is approved by the vet, so we break it into eight pieces. Every time Lyle goes into the kitchen, Bobbie Sue goes into begging mode.

“She can sit up for five minutes straight. She’ll pop wheelies and rub up against your leg. She is the most adorable little beggar God put on this Earth,” Joan said.

The Bockwoldts know that every day they have with Bobbie Sue is a gift, and they cherish their remaining time together.

“We’re hopeful. We do everything we can, and we pray for her everyday,” Joan said.

Other winning pets

Second place — Odessa;

Owner: Jackie Moment, Rapid City

Third place — Jasper;

Owner: Bonnie Crain, Spearfish

Total votes between the two rounds was 32,057.