Jazz passed away on the 1st February 2009 aged 14 years. She left us showing the same dignity and fighting spirit that she had throughout her life.
Jazz has been with us since she was 11 weeks old, she is a rescue dog that we purchased from the Lost Dogs Home in (1995). We believe she is a Shepherd, Kelpie, Cattle dog mix, the way DNA profiling is progressing we could have a definite answer on her background in the near future.
She is not a needy or demanding dog, but the most loyal dog I will ever know.
Her instinct on how to react with different people and situations always astounds us.
Owning Jazz has been a roller coaster ride, and in hindsight one I would jump on again in a heartbeat.
She has an extremely high prey drive (that can now be controlled) and is highly intelligent and for these reasons she has forced us to delve into doggie behaviour where we have learnt so much.
She was a handful in her youth but now enjoys the role of matriarch and is a very wise girl. She isn’t slowing down at all and puts up with a lot from the annoying one, Calypso.
JUST A DOG
From time to time, I have had people tell me, “lighten up, its just a dog,” or “That amount of money, on just a dog !!”.
They don’t understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the cost involved for “just a dog”.
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog”.
Many hours have passed, and my only company was “just a dog”, but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think its “just a dog”, then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend”, “just a sunrise”, or “just a promise.”
“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me, and folks like me, its not “just a dog”, but an embodiment of all my hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
“Just a dog” brings out whats good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that its not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a person”.
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they, "just don't understand".
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
