Friday, May 31, 2013

Celebrate the Small Things - Jumper

 
Celebrate the Small Things is hosted by the multi-talented, ever-thankful Viklit!
 
My two dogs, waiting for my mom to come and walk with me (and them). Pic from a while ago.
Lady, our Rhodesian Ridgeback/Mix, was left in a campground with a whole litter of puppies just like her. My parents brought her home to us. She's 13 going on 14, and she has joint pain. We think this might be her last summer with us.
 
Jumper, our Beagle/Basset/Who Knows?/Mix with mostly Beagle behaviors, came from the pound for my oldest daughter's 7th birthday present. She picked him out, and we brought him home. No one could tell how old he was - somewhere between 2 and 7. (Kind of a big range). He was malnourished, almost actually mangy with some kind of skin disease that took special shampoo to get rid of, had street dog behavior (no garbage can was safe from him, he could even open the ones with the foot pedal), and he had been in a car accident. Later, we found out he had seizures.
 
Recently, we found out that seven places on his spine were messed up in different ways . . . most likely from the same accident, and made painful by a recent excursion outside the fence at night (we thought he was in, but we were tired and he loved being sneaky).  
 
In the seven years he lived with us, he went from an occasionally snarly street dog to a totally affectionate buddy. His name was Jumper for a reason. He liked to jump, but he never jumped on us - just next to us in the air. 
 
He did like to cause a bit of trouble now and then, escaping the confines of the fence, running through the wooded acreage that my parents own and over the neighbor's houses where he would sometimes knock over garbage cans or eat cat food. Thankfully, our neighbors were gracious with us, especially when they saw us chasing him (he only came when called inside the fence or inside the house -even if we had treats). He gave us stories to tell.
 
He loved to walk. He loved to sniff the world. He loved to bark, at anything, including the wind and the sun. He loved to eat (anything except one stew I made that no one liked - and he didn't like "greens" unless they were grass) He even liked fresh blackberries off the lower parts of the blackberry bushes around our house. He loved us with soulful eyes, snort-filled conversations, a wagging tail, and a desire to sit on our feet, or to lean against us if we were seated on the floor. He loved to be petted, and he loved to sit on the back deck in the fresh air.
 
After nearly two weeks of increasing pain despite pain meds, muscle relaxers and prednisone, we decided we had to let him go.
 
I miss him. We all do. But I'm celebrating the goodness of his life.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

29 comments:

Laura Clipson said...

I'm so sorry to hear this, sometimes it's the best thing we can do for them. We had to get our cocker spaniel put down a few weeks ago, and it was heartbreaking. He was only 5, it was far too soon for him to go, but it was the only option.
I'm glad you're celebrating his life, try not to let it get you down.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm so sorry! Pets are like family and it's hard to see them go. Both dogs found a wonderful home with you though.

Rebeccah Giltrow said...

That's such a beautiful story. It's so sad when people mistreat animals, but he seemed to have a good life with you. And it's great that you have such fond memories of him, so you'll be able to carry him in your heart forever.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Laura - I'm sorry about your cocker spaniel. It is tough to let them go.

Alex - Thanks. We try to give them a good place to live, and get loved.

Rebeccah - Thank you!

SK Anthony said...

I'm so sorry :(
Glad they both found a great home with you, celebrating his life is a good thing to do. Hugs.

Suzanne Furness said...

I'm so sorry about your lovely dog they become one of the family. It sounds like your family gave him a special home after his horrible start in life.

M Pax said...

I'm sorry, Tyrean. Hugs. That's so hard. I'll be a mess when I lose my girls. You have to feel good that he had a life filled with love because of you.

Have you tried Cosequin for the one with joint pain?

Anonymous said...

Ah, that's hard. So sorry for your loss. Raising a glass to celebrate his life with you.

Tyrean Martinson said...

S.K. - Thanks! Hugs!

Suzanne - Yes, they do. We tried to give him the best home we could.

M Pax - Hugs back! And no, we haven't tried that. She's on some other kind of med . . .but I'll look that one up and ask our vet.

MJ - Thanks! Clink!

Al Diaz said...

Dragon hugs, Tyrean! I know how it feels. I've been there quite a few times. Never easy but I still open my heart to new babies. I know all dogs go to Heaven. :)

mshatch said...

It sounds like Jumper lived a pretty good life once he made it to your family and was well-loved. I'm sorry he;s gone but I'm glad you guys found each other.

Oh, and I have a pure-blood lab I actually paid good money for (my son still can't believe this)and no trash can is safe around him either.

Maurice Mitchell said...

What a story Tyrean. At least you know you made his life better while he was here.

Heather R. Holden said...

Aww! :( It's always so sad to lose a dog. I've had two pass on so far in my life, and it gutted me each time. I think it's great, though, how you're choosing to celebrate his life for this post!

Rhonda Albom said...

Sorry about your dog :(

I joined the blogfest today
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com

randi lee said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Jumper :(

I just lost my lab of 11 years in January. He came with me when I moved here and was one of the only friends I had in the area. It's hard, and there aren't words for it. I'm doing my best to celebrate his life, as well, and I think it's great that you're celebrating the good parts of his.

Michelle Wallace said...

Oh Tyrean. I'm so sorry to hear this. Hugs to you. This is the perfect celebratory post, a tribute to a special pet.
Writer In Transit

VikLit said...

Oh my goodness I am so sorry to hear this, that you have lost part of your family. I hope celebrating the goodness of your life helps you.

Fe said...

Adopted children (furchildren too) are chosen with love and give love.

I lost my adopted terrier of 12, two years ago and it took me that long to even consider adopting another so I made up for it and adopted 4. My celebration is also about my 'Littlies'.

Blessings

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Your dogs remind me of ours, they always stand by the door waiting for my wife to come through the door.
Passing through on my roadtrip

Tara Tyler said...

losing a sweet friend is so hard! my heart goes out to you!

and your healthy tips of love and support are inspirational! thank you!

Brinda said...

I'm so sorry, Tyrean. I love my dogs and can feel your sorrow over losing a loved one. *Hugs*

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Karen Lange said...

Aww, so sorry to hear this! You're wise to think of the good things and times together. :)

Misha Gerrick said...

So sad that you had to let him go, but it's wonderful that you could give him a great life after being through so many bad experiences. :-)

Jack said...

Pets are so special, it is always hard to see them go. Though it is always nice to get such wonderful pets who are such a joy.

Julie Flanders said...

I'm so sorry to read this Tyrean. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a beloved pet. Jumper was obviously a very special boy and I'm glad he had such a great life with you and your family. Take care.

nutschell said...

Sorry to hear this. Losing a beloved family member is never easy. But what a wonderful tribute you've written here.
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com