I enjoyed every day with Jack. I really was thankful every day that he was healthy. The dog I had before him had lived for 15 years and probably the last three years, she had many ailments. I wanted to adopt a young dog and hoped I would have several healthy years with him. Jack was 2.5 years old when I adopted him. We had him for almost five years. It was not nearly long enough. He didn't live to see his 8th birthday. I was planning on teasing him about being a senior.
Jack was never sick.
My heart is broken. I'm not sure if I will continue the blog. Scout and my husband both say that she is blog worthy, but I just don't know if I can continue it right now. This was Jack's blog.
Jack was a dog that was full of life and had such character. He was funny. He had such a personality. He would get so excited over things that it sometimes drove me crazy, but I knew one day I would miss that and he's only been gone for an hour or so and our house is so quiet without our "Crazy Jack Erdman". That's what I called him. Erdman is our last name.
Jack was found abandoned in a barn in Kansas with 24 other greys. He was left to die. He was rescued and brought to St. Louis with four other greys. I walked him in a parade before we even considered adopting him. I wanted a fawn female. He was not scared of the bands, fire engines and people, so my husband said he seemed perfect. We planned on waiting a little while before we adopted him, but my husband was sent out of town for an unknown amount of time. I didn't want to be alone, so our greyhound group rushed our adoption through and we got him earlier than we planned. The first thing my husband said when he saw Jack in our house was "He looks a lot bigger in a house than he did at the store" and he did. I was so scared when we adopted him. He had big teeth. Our last dog was not a nice dog at all, so I was somewhat scared of this big buy. He was a gentle giant. I cleaned his teeth daily and although he wasn't fond of it, he let me do it without a problem.
I will leave you a favorite photo of my boy. This was taken in Abilene, KS at a fun run in June 2009. It was our favorite vacation with Jack and Scout. We were able to see them run and it brought tears to my eyes because Jack loved it.
Fly high sweetie, you will never be forgotten. I love you!Patty,
The Mama of Jack The Greyhound
I am so, so sorry you lost your boy. But please, continue your blog. Life goes on despite the pain, and I love every post you put up even if I didn't comment. I lost Guinness four months yesterday to stomach cancer, and am just now getting around to spreading his ashes everywhere we went together.
ReplyDeleteBlog about the loss, blog about your new house, blog about your remaining doggy, but keep blogging-good or bad, it's cathartic and it helps both you and those that will deal with the same issues in the future-lord knows I had a rough time losing Guinness, but it was bearable due to people on blogger and Greytalk.
Love and good thoughts in your time of grief and loss.
Oh Patty,
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry for your loss. Jack was lucky to have you during his time here. His life didn't start out in a loving way, but it certainly ended surrounded by love. I wish you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Kristin
Thank you. I remember when you lost Guinness. I always tried to post on greytalk when someone lost a hound because I knew that someday it would be me and now it is. I haven't posted in the last month or so because I've been so busy with work.
ReplyDelete:::sigh:::
My husband probably thinks I'm nuts to already be posting about Jack, but this was his blog. It helps me to write about him. I can write about him better than talk because it's hard to talk when you are crying so hard. :::sigh:::
Thank you for your comment.
Thank you, Kristin. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for you loss. As someone who has also lost dogs to cancer, I can understand the sadness and grief you must be going through at this moment. From what I've read, it seems like Jack lived a full and wonderful life, despite sad beginnings. I hope in the days to come your heart will heal, and you will find consolation in all the good times you had together!
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry for your loss! What a shock it must have been for you all. I know when I lost a previous dog, it really helped to talk about him and his loss to other "dog" people as they understand how you are feeling and have compassion for your grief. I would say - continue your blogging, you may find it helps you more than you can imagine right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. As soon as I saw the post title, I felt my heart drop. It must be such a shock just coming so quickly and out of nowhere. I've been reading your blog for just a couple of months and really enjoyed hearing about Jack's adventures. It's so clear that Jack had a great personality and was very much loved. All the best.
ReplyDeleteRally and Lima Bean.
I am so very sorry to hear that Jack has gone to the Rainbow bridge. I loved coming here after I lost Camie so I could get my greyhound fix. I know how hard it is to lose such a wonderful part of your life. I'll be thinking of you. I've enjoyed getting to know him and I know you gave him such a wonderful life.
ReplyDeleteTara
I am so sorry. I've enjoyed your blog for quite some time and have always enjoyed to hear life from his view of the world.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you for not trying to amputate. My first grey broke her femur as well due to cancer. We attempted to amputate and in the end had to put her to sleep anyway. It is amazing how they hide the cancer until it is too late.
I hope his memories warm your thoughts and his paw prints on your heart never fade.
My deepest condolences to you, your DH and Scout. I enjoyed reading your blog... Thank you for sharing your hounds and life with us. Many prayers of peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteRun free sweet Jack <3
You will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dear boy, Jack. It is never easy to say good-bye. Our thoughts are with you and we will watch for his bright star in the sky tonight.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Wyatt, Stanzie, Sue and Paul
I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. Do whatever brings you comfort and catharsis. If it helps to write about the shock and grief, do that. The pet blogging community is so supportive and that helped me more than I can say after we lost our Bulldozer. I hope you're able to let them love and support you two. I'll miss Jack. My heart hurts for you.
ReplyDeleteAlisha, with Drive and Lanie
I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. I never met Jack, but I have enjoyed reading his blog so much! Even though I don't comment often, I almost always leave your blog with a smile on my face (except tonight of course) because your account of Jack's adventures make me laugh. My husband, who doesn't read blogs, knows all about Jack and Scout because I tell him how much I enjoy reading your blog. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could say something that would help right now, but sadly I know exactly what you are going through. If you follow my blog, you know that we lost our dear Macy in December - suddenly and unexpectedly to a broken leg and that terrible cancer diagnosis. It has been nearly 6 months and I still cry, I still think about her every single day, and I still miss her so very much. I will add that blogging and writing about her, how she touched our lives, and how my heart was broken did help. Please know that there are lots of people thinking about you, even though we have never met and Jack will be missed by all!
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you. My husband & I were talking earlier about how much joy our grey has brought to us, how we love having her, and how fortunate we were to have been able to adopt her. When I logged on and saw the title I started crying, my husband asked me what I was crying about, and I told him and he broke down as well.
ReplyDeleteI've loved reading your blog, and even read it to our girl, asking her if she wants to do some of the things Jack & Scout were doing :-)
Sending happy thoughts your way.
Dawn, Joe and Tamara
I'm so, so, so sorry for your loss of your Jack. My prayers are with you. Lisa B.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. It is HARD to lose a dear animal friend, and I'm sorry that you had to go through that, so soon and so unexpectedly. Sending you good thoughts to carry you through...
ReplyDeleteI have tears as I write this and my heart is so heavy for all of you. I just know Jack is running like wild in heaven's fields full of gorgeous flowers in the sun and that he is now taking his ice cream break until you join him someday. Please don't stop the blog....you need support and we need you here with us too.
ReplyDeleteOh, Patty! I am stunned, and so very sorry! I felt like I knew Jack through your blog, and I always secretly hoped we'd run into him somewhere, since we aren't that far apart. My heart aches for your loss, because I've been there. Jack was a special guy, not just to you, but to all of us who read about his adventures.
ReplyDeleteWe all grieve differently, and I know you must be heartbroken right now. I'd like to say not to give up the blog, because I know how cathartic writing has been for me, but I can understand how painful it can be. Give yourself permission to leave it open so that Scout can share more with us if she wants to, or in case you'd like to just talk about how you feel. Even if Jack still isn't here, his legacy can live on in so many ways.
Please know that we're thinking about you and your family!
Godspeed, Sweet Jack.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is breaking for you this night..I will missing hear about his adventures..but I think Scout probably has a few adventures to share..please continue with the blog
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I too have lost a hound to this damn disease. Sending greyhound hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteCrying as I write this. I am so sorry for your loss. Although it may not be much comfort right now, please always know you did what was best for Jack and he had a good life with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your comments. Scout and I couldn't sleep, so we got up at 2:30 a.m. She seems to be doing okay so far. I really hope she doesn't mourn for him. It will break my heart even more if she does. She said she will try and take over the blog for Jack, but she knows it won't be as good as when he wrote it. Jack was always excited about things and Scout is the total opposite. Scout has not broken walls or chewed door knobs. She is not a big TV watcher. When she gets tired, she refuses to walk. She is very calm and quiet, but she is very sweet. Jack always made me laugh and Scout is doing her best to carry on for him. She had me laughing last night which was pretty amazing. Scout and I are making plans for the future and she will share those with you soon. I am thankful that I have her. The house seems so empty without Jack, but if Scout wasn't here, it would be unbearable.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss...to lose a friend is beyond words. I just wanted you to know that you are being thought of and in the days ahead,in the difficult times, know that Jack is very much watching you still and entertaining those over the rainbow bridge. How blessed he was to have found you and let you become his human...you gave him a wonderful life, and he gave you one as well...xoxoxox from the Fiedlers.
ReplyDeleteI am just reading this now with tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry that you lost Jack. It's such a shock and leaves a huge hole in the heart. I loved reading his posts, I really have laughed out loud many times. I'll be think of you, your husband, and Scout and sending lots of love.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your loss. Jack brought much happiness to the readers of your blog with all his adventures. I felt like I knew him and can’t tell you how often I have laughed out loud over one of your posts. I hope Scout will continue where he has so unexpectedly left off. Our thoughts and condolences to you and your family. Hug Scout for us.
ReplyDeleteSo many broken hearts this past week. Jack was obviously a wonderful friend and companion and nothing will ease the hurt, but it looks like he left you with lots of happy memories to see you through. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThe Road Dogs & Mom
OH NO.... Patty... :(
ReplyDeleteI am so sad for you, just shocked...I have been out of town and did not see this until today. My heart aches for you. :(
This dreadful cancer knows no age limits as I have lost both Scooter and Wally before the age of 7 due to this very thing.
I can think of nothing that makes a kind heart ache more than losing their loved hound. Through your blog you have touched us all, we will miss Jack terribly. Here, among your friends you can scream at the top of your lungs and we will scream with you, cry and we will cry too, so many of us are here for you, have felt the pain of an untimely loss enough to understand the toll they can take. They say writing is theraputic...in good time, when you are ready to speak again, we will be here to listen.
God speed sweet Jack. Jack send some healing down to your Momma to heal her broken heart. Let her know you are ok now and are waiting to join her again one day.
Look to Scout to deliver his love to you, she is there for just that reason now. Perhaps she can start her own blog...??
Here for you always.
Hugs and Love,
Sistertex
Just read your comment regarding you and Scout. What a girl!!! Hounds change when the pack dynamic changes. I bet she has all sorts of tricks up her sleeve that you haven't even seen yet. Bless you both! :) Hugs to you and gentle ear scritches to Scout.
ReplyDeleteSistertex
Oh sweetie, I am heartbroken for you reading this. :(
ReplyDelete{{{hugs}}}
Our hearts are breaking for you. We only just found out what had happened to Jack.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about his story and how he came to you. You gave him a wonderful life. I am so sorry he didn't have more years with you.
Much love from Winnie and all her family
I am so sorry for your loss. I to felt as if I knew Jack. I will miss him very much. This was such a shock for you I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteWe love your blog and feel you should continue. My prayers are with you.
I saw a post about Jack on another blog, and wanted to come offer some puppy prayers to you (well, I just turned 1 so there are some doggie prayers too). I didn't know Jack, but I bet he was the luckiest doggie to have had you. ;)
ReplyDeleteKeep writing... Jack will know.
Woofs & hugs,
~Bailey
Patty- I haven't been by in a while, so I just read about Jack. I am so sorry. One of my best friends just had to put down her beloved Mattie too. Carry on for Scout! I lost my beloved Chips when he was only 6 to cancer. I know how much it hurts.
ReplyDeleteOur sincerest condolences. Your blog has been an inspiration to us even before we adopted our hound last month, and we wish you the very best in progressing forward in life and with the blog.
ReplyDeleteSo, so sorry for your loss. Jack was a special boy!!
ReplyDeleteI am just now visiting your blog. I'm sorry I've been so quiet for a few weeks with blogging and visiting other blogs.
ReplyDeleteI am so, so sorry to hear this. My heart sank to hear this news.
Please smile and keep your great memories of Jack at the top of your mind!
Again, I am so sorry for your loss.