I had many dogs growing up. Mutts, a Brittany Spanial, an American Eskimo, German Shepard, a Husky, a Keeshond, and a Norwegian Elkhound. But I always had an idea of what the perfect dog for me was. I wanted a dog that was loyal, who I could leave off the leash and know that he would never leave me. I wanted a dog who loved to go on adventures and rides in the car. Who wanted to go swimming, play fetch, catch a frisbee. I wanted a best friend to take with me everywhere.
While all the dogs that I had as a child brought me great pleasure, none of them shared all the qualities I wanted. This was partly my fault as I didn’t commit to their training as an immature adolescent. When I was younger, I could hardly take care of myself, let alone another living being. To be perfectly honest, I can say those poor animals were neglected. They had food and shelter and the bare necessities, but in order for a dog to be at it’s best, it needs discipline and and commitment. Something I knew nothing about.
When I rescued Jagger as an 8 week old pup, my son was 5 years old. If my son survived that long and wasn’t a total spaz, I could handle a dog. When I rescued Jagger, I committed to not making the same mistakes that I had made with all my other pups. I was going to exercise him daily, socialize him, train him, and he was going to go everywhere with me, instead of staying at home, locked in a crate for hours. Since I had just started my professional career as an equestrian, it would be easy to take him to the barn with me. I bought a portable crate which was like the doggie version of a pack and play, and if I was on a horse, he would stay there with a chew toy filled with peanut butter to keep him busy until I could let him out to socialize with people, horses, cats and other dogs.
At the time, Chaise was in kindergarten and his school was just a few blocks from our house. So everyday, we would walk to school and Jagger got to play with the kids before the bell rang. I taught him that he had to sit and wait patiently before anyone was allowed to touch him. After the kids went to their classrooms, Jagger would play with the other dogs who also came to school.
When I rescued jagger, he was infested with worms and other parasites, so he wasn’t full of energy. It took a few weeks before he could make the entire 4 block trek to Baker Elementary and I would have to carry him the rest of the way. When he got stronger, we would walk around the block before returning home. Eventually, we spent an hour walking around the neighborhood in the morning before our trip to the barn. Needless to say, after all our daily adventures, Jagger had no problem passing out when the day was done.
Jagger’s favorite toy was a jolly ball. I made the mistake of teaching him to bark at me when he wanted me to throw it. Did I mention Jagger is part Lab? If you’ve ever had a Lab, or a Lab mix, you know that they will play fetch until their legs fall off. So imagine this clumsy, 65 pound puppy running at you with a ball that is bigger than his head, dropping it at your feet and demanding that you throw it so he can repeat the process again… and again……… and again……………. and again………………………. and again……… You get the point.
When Jagger was about 6 months old we bought the farm- 54 acres with a trail that surrounded the property. By this time, He was pretty athletic, so I would run him along side the John Deer Gator until he was pooped. True to Lab form, this also became an obsession of his. If the gator went anywhere, he was either in it, or running beside it, directing the driver where to go.
While Jagger is true to his Lab side, there is also no denying the Doberman in him. He is loyal and protective and his main priority has always been me. You can’t blame him. When he was 8 weeks old and split from his litter, I was his soft place to fall. Since he didn’t want to sleep alone, and I wan’t losing a minute of sleep listening to him cry, he spent his nights snuggled in my bed next to me – which made him real easy to potty train as he was too small to jump off the bed and there was no way in hell I would allow my slumberdome to be spoiled by urine. Let’s just say we had a great line of communication from the beginning.
None of this even begins to explain the power that Jagger has over not only people, but animals. He’s like a Jedi. New boarders would come to the farm, and when Jagger came to greet their horse, they would warn how their horse does not like dogs and to watch out because they might bite him. Before this newbie could finish explaining their horses distain for dogs, we would turn and see Jagger being groomed by said horse. If a dog or cat didn’t like Jagger, he wouldn’t pressure them. He would wait until curiosity got the best of them and they would be forced to inspect him, only to be met with the true definition of a gentleman.
But Jagger is not perfect. Like all of us, he has his vices and his vice is food. I don’t think there is enough space on the internet for me to share all the hilarious stories about Jagger’s quest to fill his belly. In fact, if you asked him, his stomach has more room than the internet. My favorite story? Some friends of mine came over and we were going to grill some ribeye. I seasoned 3 succulent 8 ounce steaks and I left them waiting on the counter as we went to the porch to start the grill. As I walked out the door, I stopped and asked “Wait, where is Jagger?” Before I could turn back to the kitchen to check on our dinner, he had already swallowed one whole and was working on the second. He was a stealth. He knew how to wait until no one was watching and swallow as much as possible before he was caught.
I think it goes without saying that this dog has brought me nothing but joy in the years that I have owned him. From snuggling in bed after a long day at the barn, to days at the beach and hours at the barn. But he is 10 now and has undergone 3 knee surgeries. His days of fetching and running and demanding someone join in on his fun are over. He’s on joint supplements and pain meds and now requires a wheelchair to relive himself.
Jaggers muscles have atrophied from his hind end up his spine and my heart is heavy with the knowledge that our time is limited. I know that I will never find another best friend like him and I’m troubled by the fact that I know I will eventually have to make the impossible decision to say goodbye. I contemplate daily if I am holding on too long. As you can see from the picture above, even when he’s stuck, he has not lost his positive attitude about life.
No matter what Jagger is dealt with, he faces it with a happy heart and positive spirit. No matter what, I will always remember this and try to take a page from his book. Jagger was dumped at the pound before he was even weaned from his mother, and lucky for him, this is the only real struggle he has ever known. I can take solace in the fact that I gave a creature of this earth the best life he could possibly have, but no one will ever be able to fill his shoes and the thought of waking up without his face greeting me first thing leaves me feeling empty.
I fear that he will always greet me with a smile, so how will I know when it is time? My instinct tells me that when he no longer has the desire to eat, I will have to face my difficult choice. However, I know that he has a degenreative joint disease that will eventually spread to his front limbs and as long as his tummy says ‘FEED ME SEYMORE’ he will want to feast. I’ve never had to make a choice like this, so how do I know when to say goodbye??
You’ll know…as you say, you’ve good communication and he’ll make it clear when he has had enough, just listen to him. It’s one of the hardest things to do but it’s the most important part of having a pet. X
It is a hard decision. I wrote a blog post about having to put down a much loved horse ( When is it time to say goodbye) . In that case my horse was in pain and so that made it easier. I think you will know when Jagger is ready to go or needs to be allowed to go. We have such an important responsibility to our animals. My heart goes out to you.
He is such a beautiful animal. You’re right – he’ll let you know when it’s time. Sending prayers and thoughts your way – speak766