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The best tangible gift I’ve ever received was a red dachshund puppy named Jack. My then husband, Jason, gave him to me for my college graduation. Our families and close friends were invited to graduation, then to a party at our house. I was looking forward to taking pictures with my family after graduation, but the crowd around their seats was a bit hostile. Everyone but my dad left after I walked. I fussed all the way home because I wanted pictures with them. I didn’t fuss long, though, because Jason actually left early to pick up the puppy so he could present him to me when we arrived. I thought he belonged to my brother’s girlfriend, but Jason said he was mine. I cried! And thus began our adventure with Jack.
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A
year later, we decided that Jack needed someone to keep him company during the
day, so we got Bruiser. Bruiser (Bee) is a black dappled dachshund. He and Jack
had one common parent. We bought them from the same breeder, which was prior to our becoming educated about the importance of adopting animals. Jack and Bee were
fast friends. It took Bee a few months to catch up to Jack in terms of size,
but they were inseparable. We referred to them as “the boys,” and after getting
the much larger Trooper, we called them “the little boys.”
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In Mobile where we lived at the time, we had a fenced in yard where we would play with them. We took them for walks, and I dressed them in shirts, bandannas, and bowties. For a few consecutive years, we participated in the Mystic Mutts of Revelry parade in Fairhope, AL, which is a fundraiser for a local shelter. We were always doing something fun.
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I
was a teacher at the time, and one of my students was reading a newspaper aloud
one day. The article was about an abused dog. Even though Jack and Bee weren’t
rescues, I thought about the wonderful life they had and have only known love.
This prompted me to do all I can do to be the voice for animals in need. As a
result, the Voice for the Animals Campaign began. We host fundraisers and raise
awareness for needy animals. I credit Jack and Bee and the others who helped
then and throughout the years.
In
2009, Jason moved to Orlando for work. The boys and I stayed in Mobile for
nearly a year to tie up loose ends. They kept me company. They made many trips
to and from Orlando with me. We moved back to Fulton, and Jason moved to Bossier
City, LA, a few years later. Again, they kept me company. Jason was living in
Bossier City when my brother died tragically in a car accident. When I got home
from the hospital that night, and from then on out, Jack, Bee, and the other
animals provided me with love, comfort, company, and companionship.
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Jack
loved us and we loved him, but he was a Daddy’s boy. He and Jason sat in the
chair and watched tv. I cannot sit still, so I am always up doing something. I think I moved around too much for him. Jack loved toys, socks, playing, going for walks, taking naps, and eating cat
poop. He also loved Bee.
Although
he has been getting older and whiter, he has been doing well. He is slower and
can’t hear as well, but he has been well. He has never liked getting out of the
bed. I say that he reminds me of my brother in that regard. When I got up to go
to the gym this morning, I knew that Jack needed some encouragement in getting
up. When I pulled back the covers and touched him, I knew that he was gone. I
am still in shock. He has been fine, as I said, so it has come as a shock. I’m
not 100% at 4am, so I moved him, handled the other animals, and went to the
gym. Jason and I are no longer married, but we get along. I drove to Jason’s
office this morning to tell him in person. We cried, laughed, and reminisced
about Jack. My dad and I have plans to make a nice grave for him next to Pearl
and Buck later today.
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