A Tribute To Jackie The JRT (2001 - 2006)
2 years ago today, my ex-girlfriend came over to my house to workout, and found my Jackie cold and with blood around her lips, spread out on the floor of my den. I was upstairs and I could tell by the shriek that came from downstairs that my fears had come true; after fighting a mysterious disease that kept her blood from clotting for 3 weeks, Jackie had passed away. Jackie had lived in an oxygen tent for days, having several blood transfusions, and numerous biopsies- I hope I did not try to lengthen her life and prolong her suffering for my selfish reasons.
She was a long-haired Jack Russell Terrier, with all the crazy hyper-activity that goes with JRTs (but nothing close to as wild as White Dog). She loved my swimming pool, and was very fond of playing by herself, dropping balls or toys in the pool then diving in to get them, then doing it again, for HOURS (she didn’t get many walks, as swimming was all she needed). She actually enjoyed putting her head underwater, and then swimming underwater, diving 8′ deep to get toys. My friends would even bring other folks over to watch her show off, and she was happy to oblige.
Her death caused my 5150 episode- and when I got home from hospital my friend had set up a memorial on the floor where Jackie had succumbed, complete with candles and flowers (Asian-Buddhists are so cute… thanks dglobetrotter! I know I did not appreciate it that day but in hindsight it was very appropriate).
Jackie was purchased to try to replace another mixed terrier (Spike) that I had to put to sleep due to hip problems, and it is fitting that White Dog was purchased to try to lessen the pain of missing Jackie. Isis is doing a great job, but nothing can replace the water-wonder that was Jackie…
Amazing! I have never seen a dog dive under water before and I never even knew any dog could do it.
Jackie is a doll. I know she lives on in your heart, and I suspect she took some of you with her. Anniversaries like this can be tough, but it can also be a good time to revisit an old friend. Give Jackie a hug for me.
Joe
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pmThanks for your sentiments, Joe- Jackie was an amazing dog and I don’t want to forget about her. Time heals most everything, along with a new (challenge) like Isis. I can’t even remember the date I had to put Spike asleep, but I remember going shopping for Jackie soon thereafter. I love having a dog in my life, and I know you do too- we love our little girls…
July 3rd is the big anniversary for me, as it’s the day I got OUT of the hospital AND the day Isis was born- so I’ll be celebrating that!
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm