When we moved from our townhome in RSM to Wagon Wheel, we promised our son, Leonard, that with a yard we would get a dog. Leonard brought us Josie, our German Shepherd and we were so happy! My husband, Craig, said it wasn't fair to have just one dog, that she needed company. A few days later, I got a call from Craig and Leonard. They were at the Irvine Shelter and the Shelter wouldn't let them have the pet without everyone meeting the new family member. I couldn't believe we were getting another dog! One was enough! NO I said, but Craig insisted.
The first time I ever saw his face, I immediately said "he looks like a Jack", and my husband said "well then that is his name". Craig said they "interviewed" about 7 dogs before Jack and none of them got along too well with Josie. She was only 3 months old and they were either too rough, or not interested. THEN...the shelter brought out Jack...their eyes locked, tails wagged, and Jack went running towards her and they chased each other and were so happy! Jack useto drag Josie around, but as soon as she was 6 months she was bigger than him and weighing in at 93 lbs versus Jack's 55 lbs.
Jack was abused and reluctant at first, but with lots of love he blossomed with us. My husband said "dogs live outside". I said "please can they just come in one room? He said "yes, just downstairs in the living room, that's it", but not upstairs and definitely not on ANY of the furniture. As I was laying down on the couch one day taking a nap, Jack lightly jumped up on me...I said "NO NO NO", but he snuggled his head onto my chest, and laid his body on top of mine, and I MELTED. Jack was great at cuddling on demand.
My Doggies' DayCare called him Happy Jack because when you met him, he just made you happy. He had these soulful eyes that truly said "I love you", he would cuddle up to our friends and family. Jack and Josie complimented each other.
It happened so suddenly. We useto say Jack would outlive us all. He loved human FOOD and had a cast iron stomache, unlike Josie who is more sensitive. He was affectionate, didn't require a lot of exercise, loved to lay around, nap, sleep, eat, cuddle and just be with us. He was such a soothing and loving companion.
Then just one day he stopped eating, I thought he had the flu, but the next day I could tell he was not his Happy self. I took him to the VET, who also thought it was nothing to worry about, but the next morning they called and said we had to bring him in ASAP - this was on a Saturday morning.
His kidney values were too high and they treated him for a kidney infection. Over the weekend he just got worse and on Monday AM they told us we had to think about letting him go. WHAT? We were not prepared to let him go.
I was blessed to be with a wonderful boss, and a beautiful friend when I got the news. We were in a meeting, but they quickly said "let's get you home". This was at 11AM. I picked up Josie and drove to the VET to meet my husband and Jack. Family Member VET in Mission Viejo, gave us a room to spend time with our baby boy and we cried for several hours, just petting him and loving him. Our son, Leonard, came to the VET to also say goodbye to Jack.
At 3:40 PM we said "okay" it's time, but is it every really time to let your baby go? Dr. Link came in and explained the process. We made him comfortable, and after a saline shot, a sedative, another saline shot, and the fatal injection, Jack fell asleep within minutes. He looked peaceful and loved. We held his head, and kissed him several times. Josie, the german shephard, came over to him and sniffed him, then wimpered and Jack was gone.
I know we will see you at the Rainbow Bridge - I can't wait to see your beautiful, loving face and to hold you in my arms once more.