Dog Spotlight

Kona

Breed: Chocolate LabOwner: Daniela Nemirovsky

Meet Kona Nemirovsky, senior Daniela Nemirovsky’s one-year-old Chocolate Lab. Kona and Daniela have worked hard over the course of the year to maintain their relationship, even though Kona lives thousands of miles away at Nemirovsky’s home in California.

Kona joined the Nemirovsky clan last September when they adopted her from a ranch in California.

Kona spends her days at doggy daycare with her work colleagues: Amo, Finn, Daisy and Benny. During the weekends, she socializes with her best friend Essie and her boyfriend Ringo, a White Retriever. According to Nemirovsky, Kona met Ringo because he lived nearby, and fell  in love immediately. “It was a ‘boy next door’ kind of love,” Nemirovsky said.

When she isn’t spending time with her canine friends, Kona enjoys a variety of different hobbies. Kona also enjoys eating anything she can get her mouth on, sleeping and looking cute. A true Californian, she is an avid fan of the Golden State Warriors.

Kona can also solve a Rubik’s cube in under eight seconds and is the proud owner of a very soft pair of ears.

Nemirovsky and Kona communicate frequently in order to maintain their loving and close relationship, video chatting each other often. “Long distance has been heartbreaking for me and Kona,” Nemirovsky said. “Luckily we stay in touch in bi-weekly FaceTimes and over text.” Though Kona has never been to Exeter, her larger-than-life cut-out lives in Nemirovsky’s room, reminding Nemirovsky daily of her wonderful friend.

Henri LaBonté

Breed: Golden RetrieverOwner: Bonnie LaBonté

Meet Henri LaBonté, senior Bonnie LaBonté’s dog. Henri, who is a hybrid of a Yellow Lab and a Golden Retriever, was born on Canada Day in the summer of 2013. LaBonté’s parents purchased the dog on the first day of the field hockey preseason her prep year.

In his free time, Henri is fond of taking long walks on the beach, riding shotgun during car rides, cuddling, smiling and napping. Henri loves playing tug of war, retrieving tennis balls and watching Hockey Night in Canada.

Henri makes friends wherever he goes. “He is often compared to a frat boy by our family and friends,” LaBonté said. “We say that he has a thousand friends he hasn’t even met yet.” Henri is close with senior Emily Ryan’s Basset Hound, Abe and his two sisters Lulu and Hazel. He also considers all of LaBonté’s friends and dormmates close friends. 

According to LaBonté, overcoming the difficulties of their long distance relationship has only brought her and Henri closer together. “Long distance is hard, [but] he is very comforting to me,” she said. “It makes our time together during the summer and school breaks more special.”

She explained that her absence has had some detrimental effects on Henri’s health. “Henri has put on a bit of weight since I have been at school. We think he stress eats because I am not home,” she said.

Henri often visits Exeter on the weekends to enjoy walks through the foliage, the snow or the nearby beach, and to check in on his friends in Dunbar.