My Boy Jasper
My boy Jasper would have been 9yrs old in two wks but sadly he went to the rainbow bridge today. He spent his last summer swimming almost daily which is what he loved to do. He went for his last swim last night at rainbow haven and seeing him in his glory, brought profound sadness to my heart. Why? because when he was swimming or hiking he was happy but the rest of his day was filled with anxiety. His anxiety was present when I brought him home at 4mos. old. I went to the home to pick him up and he was hiding behind his mom scared to come out.
He quickly attached to me and had separation anxiety which was calmed only by sitting in the front window waiting for my return. Before my rescue, before my hubby, before my second daughter and before our other three dogs joined our family it was just Me, Rae and Jasper. We hiked everyday and Jasper loved to explore the woods trying to catch something - namely squirrels. I would like to say he never caught one but one day on our walk a squirrel fell from the tree and landed on the ground directly in front of Jasper. He could not believe his luck and from that point forward, if he passed that tree he would stop as if waiting for another squirrel to drop.
He tolerated every dog that came into our home. I can't say he played with any of them because Jasper was more of a momma's boy. He just wanted to be beside me at all costs. Once he was settled by my side, he was content. Last year we realized that Jasper was having some eye trouble because he would occassionally run into things mostly other dogs when we were hiking.
When we brought him in to be tested we were shocked to discover he was blind.The back of his eyes let go and there was nothing that we could do to fix his vision. This explained his increased anxiety and his increased need to protect his "toys" from the other dogs. He was not happy and he was worried most of the time.
We gave him time, hoping he would adjust and amazingly he could get around so well no one could tell he was blind. He seemed to improve somewhat but recently he again appeared more agitated and guarded his "things" even more diligently. My daughter went to give him a treat one day and he mistakenly thought a dog was coming into his space and he bit her. Not hard but enough that both of them had their feelings hurt. Jasper would never of bit one of his family members. When I put him in the back yard in the past few months, he would dig his way out and end up on the front step crying for me.
The last week has been rough, he panicked to be near me even if I was in the bathroom with the door closed. Finally, I decided that this is no way for him to live. Although he appeared healthy on the outside, he was very anxious on the inside and I did not want my dog who lived his life to the fullest to be subjected to drugs to calm his state of mind. I decided it is time.....
Once the tranquilizer began to take hold poor Jasper leaned against me for support, more emotional than physical support. When I moved at all, he would get up in an attempt to follow me. True to the end he wanted me right there beside him and thats where I remained stroking him until he left this world. I hope your next life is filled with water, squirells and lots of squeaky toys for you buddy. Your spirit will always be beside me.
He quickly attached to me and had separation anxiety which was calmed only by sitting in the front window waiting for my return. Before my rescue, before my hubby, before my second daughter and before our other three dogs joined our family it was just Me, Rae and Jasper. We hiked everyday and Jasper loved to explore the woods trying to catch something - namely squirrels. I would like to say he never caught one but one day on our walk a squirrel fell from the tree and landed on the ground directly in front of Jasper. He could not believe his luck and from that point forward, if he passed that tree he would stop as if waiting for another squirrel to drop.
He tolerated every dog that came into our home. I can't say he played with any of them because Jasper was more of a momma's boy. He just wanted to be beside me at all costs. Once he was settled by my side, he was content. Last year we realized that Jasper was having some eye trouble because he would occassionally run into things mostly other dogs when we were hiking.
When we brought him in to be tested we were shocked to discover he was blind.The back of his eyes let go and there was nothing that we could do to fix his vision. This explained his increased anxiety and his increased need to protect his "toys" from the other dogs. He was not happy and he was worried most of the time.
We gave him time, hoping he would adjust and amazingly he could get around so well no one could tell he was blind. He seemed to improve somewhat but recently he again appeared more agitated and guarded his "things" even more diligently. My daughter went to give him a treat one day and he mistakenly thought a dog was coming into his space and he bit her. Not hard but enough that both of them had their feelings hurt. Jasper would never of bit one of his family members. When I put him in the back yard in the past few months, he would dig his way out and end up on the front step crying for me.
The last week has been rough, he panicked to be near me even if I was in the bathroom with the door closed. Finally, I decided that this is no way for him to live. Although he appeared healthy on the outside, he was very anxious on the inside and I did not want my dog who lived his life to the fullest to be subjected to drugs to calm his state of mind. I decided it is time.....
Once the tranquilizer began to take hold poor Jasper leaned against me for support, more emotional than physical support. When I moved at all, he would get up in an attempt to follow me. True to the end he wanted me right there beside him and thats where I remained stroking him until he left this world. I hope your next life is filled with water, squirells and lots of squeaky toys for you buddy. Your spirit will always be beside me.
posted by Leah at
6:12 PM
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