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Eight days ago Jackie our female Jack Russell turned 10 years old. It is so hard to believe she is that old. Time with her and Buzz has flown by. Each year, day by day, seems special because they are still with us, and still very active.
Jackie wasn't feeling well on her birthday. She has a chronic condition that flared up badly, something she's lived with since she was a puppy. Poor girl is incontinent, and needs a medication we give her twice a day. Jackie is older now, so the meds hadn't been working very well. It took awhile but she is now under control once more, with another med added to her weekly routine (she doesn't get the second med each day, but every 3 days). And both dogs have arthritis, which is helped by glucosamine for dogs, but now Jackie needs a boost. So she gets coated aspirin, a reduced mg. dosage, as she is a small little girl.
Here are some pictures of Jackie's first day with us at 7 1/2 months, and again about three months later. That is the one of her smiling...a wonderful sight after being with us for three months. And shortly after she finally started smiling, she found out about the pleasure of digging! Buzz showed her how, boy did he show her!
The left photo is right as Jackie came into the basement, from digging with Buzz. He looked just as dirty! Now for the fun part for us...giving her a bath. The right photo was after I discovered Jackie is part retriever. I threw a ball, and she immediately went after it, and we were off, learning her most favorite game for the next 9+ years. And you can see she was very happy about that. Notice her pink spot on her nose. It took years, but it got smaller and smaller, until it vanished. I thought it looked very feminine.
This is Jackie today, eight days after her Sept. 3 birthday. Happy Birthday, Sweetie! She has to be understood to love her, and I think we do both.
Jackie is watching my hand because I am bribing her with a treat, to get her to sit still. We have a game we play that was recommended to us by Buzz's breeder, Jodi. In order to get a dog to look at you so you can give the dog directions, you use treats, and as they stare at a treat, and you don't give it to them, they will glance your way. You give the treat at the first glance. Gradually you have the dog 'hold' the glance longer and longer, until they are still and staring bullets through your eyes! She is excellent at the 'game', so much so that that was all she would do as I tried to get her to look at the treat and not me! Her eyes reflect the light so much, I needed her to look away. It was fun, she liked the challenge even though she didn't understand NOT looking, and I got her to do her job. When we first got Jackie, she would not make eye contact. You can't teach a dog if they don't look at you!
Jackie wasn't feeling well on her birthday. She has a chronic condition that flared up badly, something she's lived with since she was a puppy. Poor girl is incontinent, and needs a medication we give her twice a day. Jackie is older now, so the meds hadn't been working very well. It took awhile but she is now under control once more, with another med added to her weekly routine (she doesn't get the second med each day, but every 3 days). And both dogs have arthritis, which is helped by glucosamine for dogs, but now Jackie needs a boost. So she gets coated aspirin, a reduced mg. dosage, as she is a small little girl.
Here are some pictures of Jackie's first day with us at 7 1/2 months, and again about three months later. That is the one of her smiling...a wonderful sight after being with us for three months. And shortly after she finally started smiling, she found out about the pleasure of digging! Buzz showed her how, boy did he show her!
Jackie's first photo at 7 1/2 moths
Buzz and Jackie's first photo together. Buzz, on the left, is 2 1/2. Jackie
is 7 1/2 months.
Buzz and Jackie's first photo together. Buzz, on the left, is 2 1/2. Jackieis 7 1/2 months.
The left photo is right as Jackie came into the basement, from digging with Buzz. He looked just as dirty! Now for the fun part for us...giving her a bath. The right photo was after I discovered Jackie is part retriever. I threw a ball, and she immediately went after it, and we were off, learning her most favorite game for the next 9+ years. And you can see she was very happy about that. Notice her pink spot on her nose. It took years, but it got smaller and smaller, until it vanished. I thought it looked very feminine.This is Jackie today, eight days after her Sept. 3 birthday. Happy Birthday, Sweetie! She has to be understood to love her, and I think we do both. Jackie is watching my hand because I am bribing her with a treat, to get her to sit still. We have a game we play that was recommended to us by Buzz's breeder, Jodi. In order to get a dog to look at you so you can give the dog directions, you use treats, and as they stare at a treat, and you don't give it to them, they will glance your way. You give the treat at the first glance. Gradually you have the dog 'hold' the glance longer and longer, until they are still and staring bullets through your eyes! She is excellent at the 'game', so much so that that was all she would do as I tried to get her to look at the treat and not me! Her eyes reflect the light so much, I needed her to look away. It was fun, she liked the challenge even though she didn't understand NOT looking, and I got her to do her job. When we first got Jackie, she would not make eye contact. You can't teach a dog if they don't look at you!Jackie
Thank you, my wife, for the lovely tribute to Jackie. She has been a unique presence in our lives. At times maddening and at times tearfully endearing, she is a distinct part of our small family.
I am comforted by her little, warm body pressed against my thigh during the night, even though I must get up with her between two and three each AM. Her small and untrustworthy bladder has me trained. Still, I check on her constantly when I stir, and make sure she is covered and comfortable.
What bonds and empathy we share with our canines. We may treat them better than people, but then, they repay us better than people.
So sorry squirrel chat, have been away for a while.
Happy belated birthday, birthday girl. x x x x x x
I loved your pink nose x x x