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White House Fruit Farm mascot celebrates fourth birthday
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Bonnie the Border Collie patiently waited for Taylor Aquisto, of Boardman, to throw the stick for her at her birthday party May 14 at White House Fruit Farm.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.White House Fruit Farm staffers made a very special birthday cake out of donuts for Bonnie the Border Collie’s birthday party May 14..
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Participants in the tennis ball throw at Bonnie’s Birthday Party threw numbered tennis balls and then Bonnie chased after them and the one she picked up was named the winner..
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Bonnie the Border Collie, the official mascot of White House Fruit Farm, picked up a tennis ball during the tennis ball throw at her birthday party May 14..
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Bonnie the Border Collie, the official mascot of White House Fruit Farm, showed off her catching skills during the tennis ball throw at her birthday party at the farm May 14.
By ABBY SLANKER
Bonnie’s Birthday Party at White House Fruit Farm May 14 had all the components required for a fun, successful birthday party. There was a cake, party favors, guests, games and prizes, gifts, Jocko the Clown, pony rides and, of course, the guest of honor, Bonnie.
But there’s a twist — Bonnie, the official mascot of White House Fruit Farm, is a Border Collie.
According to Debbie Pifer, Whitehouse Fruit Farm owner and Bonnie’s owner, the party was a group effort from the entire White House staff and will become an annual event.
“We wanted to make this day all about Bonnie celebrating her fourth birthday. She is absolutely in her glory today. She even visited the spa earlier this week in preparation for the party and got a new rhinestone collar and bandana,” Pifer said.
Games at the party included a dog biscuit pickup, guess Bonnie’s weight, dog barking contest and tennis ball throw — Bonnie’s favorite. Although the party was for humans only, attendees could take home a special treat for their dogs from Bonnie.
Bonnie received numerous gifts, as she was registered at Pet Supplies “Plus” in Boardman. She received everything from food to treats to toys. Bonnie has donated all her gifts to Angels for Animals.
White House also had a coloring contest, with children coloring a picture of Bonnie, and T-shirts were available adorned with Bonnie’s likeness. Guests were also encouraged to bring photos of their own dogs’ parties.
According to Pifer, Bonnie was named after another very special Border Collie.
“Back in the 1950s and 1960s, our family was in the turkey herding business. They had a Border Collie named Bonnie and it was her job to herd the turkeys. When I adopted Bonnie four years ago, I wanted to name her after the first Bonnie. Since we are obviously not in the turkey herding business anymore, Bonnie obsesses about ball and sticks instead of turkeys.
“This is a job to her. She works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Border Collies must have jobs — it is part of their nature — and chasing balls and sticks is her job. She has become our star attraction and is our official mascot. Everyone seems to know her. If I leave her at home, she is not happy with me. She really appreciates all the people who come to play with her,” Pifer said.
Bonnie has even taken her talents to the social network. She has her own Facebook page at Bonnie Pifer and has acquired a large following. She posts at least three to four times a week. Bonnie can also be followed on Twitter at Bonnie the Dog @bonnieonthefarm.