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Jackson
Black Labrador Mix
Male
Approx. 2 years old
Dear Jackson,
Just over one short year ago, we took you into our small rescue group. You had been
brought into a local animal control facility some time earlier, and when the facility
announced it was closing I helped get all adoptable dogs into rescue groups. You
were left, being extremely shy, and ‘just another black adult dog’ no one really
wanted you. - I did. There were so many novel and obviously scary experiences for
you, but not once did you show any aggression or meanness, even when things terrified
you, you put your trust in me and would just move closer, as if you already knew
I would do my best to protect you from anything bad. Under our love and care you
blossomed, still shy and nervous of strangers and new surroundings, when we were
alone you showed me your true personality – and what a wonderful, sweet and loving
personality it was, you had a great sense of fun, showed huge loyalty and were well
mannered. I believe in your previous life before you were so callously discarded
you must have lived with other dogs – you greatly enjoyed their company and had
the most amazing doggy skills. All the other dogs loved you, and you became the
unofficial ‘doggy tester’ when new dogs arrived. Alvin arrived around the same time
as you, unlike you he was outgoing and sociable with people but was not used to
sharing toys and resources with other dogs, you showed him the ropes, taught him
it is good to share toys, to able to drink from the water bowl together, and to
eat and sleep side by side, and the great joys of PLAYING. I believe you showed
Alvin the great gift of sharing, and without you he would not be the well-rounded
dog that he is today.
When you first came to us your coat was dry and dull, you were a bit underweight
and your eyes lifeless, but we still thought you were a handsome fellow. Within
a couple of months your coat thickened up and shone like it had been polished, you
filled out and your eyes sparkled – what a stunner you truly were.
You loved going for walks, and for rides in the car and were a model passenger.
Nylabones were a huge joy for you, it was as though they had been invented with
you in mind, that said you always generously shared them with the other dogs and
were never possessive over them – or anything else for that matter.
All rescuers hope that when a dog comes under their care that the dog will feel
comfortable, happy and loved for the time they have them but ready to move onto
a new life when their forever family comes along. Jackson, I said from the start,
that when you came to us you ‘knew’ you were home and would not be leaving us, well
I guess you knew something we didn’t, as it turned out we were your home and your
family and your spirit will never leave us.
I could go on endlessly about the joys of you Jackson, what a wonderfully special
year you gave us. No dog is perfect, just as no person is, but to me YOU were THE
perfect dog, so I guess that means we were THE right home for you and you the right
dog for us. I would mentally picture you as growing old gracefully here, still enjoying
your nylabones whilst sprawled out on your favourite chair or under your favourite
tree, grey at the muzzle but still oh so stunningly handsome,- sadly it was not
to be.
When you became ill, you bore it so well, as usual never complaining, it worries
me if you were more of a complainer would I have picked up something amiss earlier.
It was a short sharp battle against the cruel lymphoma that ravaged your body, from
apparent excellent health to death in just 3 short weeks, if love and will power
could have mended you, you would still be here in prime health never to suffer,
but love and will power is not enough sometimes. Truth is I would have gone to the
ends of the earth to be able to spend more precious time with you, but it was not
to be, and in the end all I could do was take you for one last short walk in the
sunshine, tell you over and over again how precious and loved you were, thank you
for making me your ‘forever family’, and hold and caress you as you peacefully slipped
away. How painful for me that I who promised you safety and love could not protect
you from this illness.
Jackson, I know you are forever with me in my heart, I have very cherished memories
of you and feel so privileged to have known you, looked after you and been loved
by you, but it hurts that I will never run my hands thro your thick glossy coat,
or see your eyes shining up at me in that devoted manner.
Rest in peace my dear sweet boy till we meet again.
Love you forever
Your Mum.
Don't cry because I've left (for in truth only my body has gone) instead rejoice
because I was here.
We would like to sincerely thank Dr Dana Miller and Dr Christina Causemaker
and staff of Miller Veterinary Service, Atkinson, IL., and Dr Krysta Deitz, Heather,
and staff of Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ames, IA for their
compassion and dedication in Jackson’s veterinary care.
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