Jack 07-423

back to Memorials

Profile

Jack is a small guy (42 lbs), and very sweet and gentle.  He is believed to be 10+ years old, and is slightly hard of hearing.  He was found as a stray in Iowa, but has clearly been someone's pet.  When picked up in Iowa, he was neutered, had many bad teeth removed, and was allowed free roam at the shelter (cuz he was such a sweet guy and got along with everybody).  He traveled well on a 6 hr trek to St Paul.  He met my golden and cats without incident.  He may have been an outdoor or barn dog - hardwood floors and indoor stairways are a surprise to him.  He trys to stick to rugs and carpet, and will pause before going on the hardwood or linoleum - but it seems to get a little easier every day.  Being such a peanut, he is easy to pick up and carry, and since he still won't attempt the full stairway, I carry him up at night.  He is also easy to walk (just a little zigzaging), and he thoroughly enjoys the outdoors.  Once he gets settled, he sleeps deeply and soundly all night.  He marked one room of the house a couple of times in the first 2 days, but with a little redirection, that has stopped.  I have gated Jack and my senior girl in the kitchen during the work day, and he has not had any accidents.

Jack saved his first kisses for the 12 yr old girls in the neighborhood - they came to visit on day 3 and he loved the attention.  He gave me my first kiss later that evening ... I found him playing with a paper towel, so I opened up a container and showed him the dog toys and tennis balls - he looked at the toys and he looked at me and gave me a big thank you kiss.  He didn't end up playing with them, but seemed happy they were there.  He loves being brushed, and actually seemed excited when he realized I was going to give him a bath - he stood perfectly still for his bath and pranced around afterwards like he was mr. handsome man.  Jack might be used to a little more activitiy than my senior girl is used to - his tail is always wagging.  He walks at an almost brisk pace, and he can't figure out why we can't go for a walk every time we go outside.  I think Jack is an explorer, and will need a securely fenced yard.  He strayed from somebody down in Iowa, and I think both the explorer in him, and his being hard of hearing require that steps be taken to make sure he is safe.


At a Glance #07-423

Golden Retriever Born: June 1997
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Jack is a small guy (42 lbs), and very sweet and gentle.  He is believed to be 10+ years old, and is slightly hard of hearing.  He was found as a stray in Iowa, but has clearly been someone's pet.  When picked up in Iowa, he was neutered, had many bad teeth removed, and was allowed free roam at the shelter (cuz he was such a sweet guy and got along with everybody).  He traveled well on a 6 hr trek to St Paul.  He met my golden and cats without incident.  He may have been an outdoor or barn dog - hardwood floors and indoor stairways are a surprise to him.  He trys to stick to rugs and carpet, and will pause before going on the hardwood or linoleum - but it seems to get a little easier every day.  Being such a peanut, he is easy to pick up and carry, and since he still won't attempt the full stairway, I carry him up at night.  He is also easy to walk (just a little zigzaging), and he thoroughly enjoys the outdoors.  Once he gets settled, he sleeps deeply and soundly all night.  He marked one room of the house a couple of times in the first 2 days, but with a little redirection, that has stopped.  I have gated Jack and my senior girl in the kitchen during the work day, and he has not had any accidents.

Jack saved his first kisses for the 12 yr old girls in the neighborhood - they came to visit on day 3 and he loved the attention.  He gave me my first kiss later that evening ... I found him playing with a paper towel, so I opened up a container and showed him the dog toys and tennis balls - he looked at the toys and he looked at me and gave me a big thank you kiss.  He didn't end up playing with them, but seemed happy they were there.  He loves being brushed, and actually seemed excited when he realized I was going to give him a bath - he stood perfectly still for his bath and pranced around afterwards like he was mr. handsome man.  Jack might be used to a little more activitiy than my senior girl is used to - his tail is always wagging.  He walks at an almost brisk pace, and he can't figure out why we can't go for a walk every time we go outside.  I think Jack is an explorer, and will need a securely fenced yard.  He strayed from somebody down in Iowa, and I think both the explorer in him, and his being hard of hearing require that steps be taken to make sure he is safe.


Updates

Thursday, September 2, 2010

 

My sweet boy Jack passed June 8, 2010. As I reviewed the stories I'd written when he was my foster and up until our adopting him in 2007, it reminded me of all the things he used to like to do; things that old age took away from him over the last year. I lamented that I hadn't written past the adoption. There are always animal stories to tell; moments that happen every day that make us smile or laugh or just feel loved or tested.

I am thankful for the Iowa Vet that took him in as a stray and gave him free reign, thankful for Ragom for picking him up, and thankful I got to be his foster mom, and then official mom for the last years of his life. Mostly I am thankful Jack was in my life. He was central to my support system, loving me unconditionally every day.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

It's an unusual thing being a foster dog mom .... you learn early on that you will want to adopt them all, but that there is a perfect home out there for each dog that passes through. You cry every time they leave you, but ultimately you seldom have regrets, because the home you find for them was exactly what they needed. Jack has known for a very long time that he's already home. What Jack needed, was me - most excellent couch cuddler, putter awayer of small things, sweet talker into fluffy ears, diligent 'what's in your mouth' watcher, thunder calmer, tender giver of nuzzles & hugs, grateful love & wobbly leg acceptor, patient zig-zag walk giver, and cherisher of wet nosed old furry faced sloppy kiss givers. Jack proudly announces that he has been officially adopted by his foster family; 2 humans, a big furry senior golden sister, a sweet pea girl kitty, and a big bully boy cat. He wonders if possibly there will be pumpkin to celebrate? Yes Jack, there will be pumpkin.

  

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

I really get the feeling that Jack lives for his walks.  With all the fresh snow, I was thinking the other day that it would make walks a little easier - I wouldn't have to be so watchful about Jack grabbing things along our walk route and putting them in his mouth - since everything is covered in a nice blanket of snow.  But when Jack is determined, he doesn't let a little snow get in the way - he seems to like to nose dive thru the snow for things - our side garden seems a favorite.  Jack has settled in well.  He insists upon a dog bed when upstairs (although a pile of dirty laundry will also work), and will find a spot on the couch when downstairs whether there is room or not.  Jack is looking for a very special someone who will look out for him.

  

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Jack and his foster family have had a busy few weeks.  Jack continues to make friends everywhere he goes.  He stayed with a temporary foster while we were on a short vacation, and spent a lot of time cuddling with his temp foster mom, who of course loved him!  While there, he did exhibit his tendency to put anything and everything in his mouth – in some ways he is very much like a toddler in that way, and his forever family will need to carefully Jack-proof their home, and monitor him when outside.  Jack also tried to ‘mark’ his temp foster home.  Jack also continues to exhibit some people food issues with kids, and a tendency to take off down the sidewalk if given the opportunity.  Aside from his minor issues, Jack is a love bug, dog and cat friendly, and is always happy!