A year ago today Jack left us so suddenly. I have been dreading this day. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him. When people stop us to talk about our greys, it is rare for Jack not to be mentioned. I guess I don't want him to be excluded even though he is no longer with us. I often think of how much Jack would have loved being on our HUGE adventure. The boy loved camping. He would get so excited when he knew we were getting ready for a trip. I knew there would be a day that I would miss his excitement, but I always thought it would because he was just older and had mellowed. I have a feeling that Jack would have never mellowed. Jack's collar is with us as well as the afghan with his photos.
As much as I miss Jack, I know that if it wasn't for him, Joey wouldn't be with us. What would have happened to Joey? Would Joey have landed in a wonderful group that took care of him the way that our group did? I think not, but lucky for him, he will never know. Joey has the same enthusiasm for life that Jack had.
Here are a few of my favorite photos of my boy.
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| Jack's pose for his blog. |
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| Wearing his famous jammies. He wore these proudly and pranced around campgrounds in them. |
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| Here we are in one of our favorite trips - Abilene Kansas. We met Jack's bio Daddy on that trip. |
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| Jack showing his stuff at the fun run in Kansas. I cried when I saw him run. He loved it. |
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| His final camping trip. It was the week before he died. This blanket appeared in so many of his photos. His foster Mom sent this with him when we adopted him. It is with us in the RV and is still being used by Joey and Scout. |
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| I believe this is the last photo I took of Jack. He is walking with his Dad at the campground. |
Thank you to every one who encouraged me to keep the blog going. My first thought was to let it die with Jack, but I am glad I didn't. We wouldn't have been able to take you all along on our HUGE adventure without the blog. :-)
Patty,
Mama to Jack, Scout and Joey
That's a great tribute to Jack :). I can't believe it's been a year. His personality just exploded through your blogging. And I'm really glad you continued the blog too, not only to continue following the adventures of Scout and Joey, but to remember Jack also.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've stopped once to talk about greyhounds with someone without mentioning Guinness ever..I still have his "baby" blanket the foster mom made for each foster that was adopted, and pull it out once in a while and smile at all the memories.
ReplyDeleteI still mark time and places by the time since Guinness left us, and places we've been to with him..can't help it.
I'm glad you've kept the blog going, even if I don't always comment, I love reading about your adventures :)
That is a lovely tribute to Jack and if he is in your memories he hasn't really gone as he is still in your heart.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
My thoughts are with you today Patty. What a beautiful tribute to Jack. Looking at his pictures, I can see he had a very happy life full of love.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that nobody could have given Joey a better home. It is wonderful the way you took care of him until his foot was healed.
We are very glad you kept your blog!
Lynne x
Oh, my heart and thoughts are with you today. I will be one year ago on Wednesday that my mom passed away. I have been dreading the approach of this time also. However, I know that my mom and Jack are in the best place ever and I am sure my mom has our Millie Greyhound with her and I am sure Millie and Jack have met. Jack sent you Joey for sure as he knew you needed a Grey like Joey and that Joey needed a family just like yours to get him well and make him happy and loved. Jack will never be forgotten - I have his half-sister, Wanda, and I think of Jack often when I look at her.
ReplyDeleteGlad you kept the blog going. Since I'm a latecomer, I would have never known if you had stopped then. It's the worst to lose them so suddenly. It's been about 5 years since we suddenly lost Lucas, but that allowed our sweet boy Stanley into our lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you didn't stop the blog too! It's hard to believe that it has been a year - I still remember vividly reading your post about Jack, it was heartbreaking. I hadn't been blogging long, but I had been following your posts. Joey is so lucky to have found you and I think he helped you alot too.
ReplyDeleteThinking of all of you today, I know how hard these days can be. I am so happy you kept the blog going, I am enjoying "traveling" with you. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteThese anniversaries are sometimes hard. So glad you kept the blog going. It is so hard to lose them and they take a part of us with them when they go. You have 2 beautiful babies to help you through it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Goose
It was such a sad day when you lost Jack. The first anniversary must be really hard. I bet he is still with you and keeping you all safe on your adventures.
ReplyDeleteI started following you guys just a week or two before you lost Jack. I'm so glad you didn't stop blogging.
ReplyDeleteOur Daisy left us a year ago Memorial Day weekend and I know how bad it hurts, even as the time goes by.
What a wonderful tribute to your sweet boy.
Jack was an awesome hound. Thank you for sharing those pictures and stories. Many of us think about our beloved pooches who are waiting at the bridge daily. Sending you thoughts of peace and happiness while remembering Jack.
ReplyDeleteWe're glad you kept blogging too!
That one year anniversary sure sneaks up on you, and it's tough. This was the first year since Treat died that I didn't mention it on the blog. It was on Cinco de Mayo, so it's hard to forget. And yet, I can't imagine not having Bunny here with us!
ReplyDeleteAnd Bunny says that she is thrilled that her little brother is going on such a cool adventure! Adventure must run in the family. I'm so very glad we get to see what he's up to every day!
My heart breaks for you on this sad day. I did not have the pleasure of knowing your special boy. The pictures made me laugh and cry at the same time. Your love comes through so clearly. I'm so glad you kept blogging or I never would have known you or Joey or Scout. You all are so special to me. I love to read about your adventures. Your boy will always be with you. What a guy! Hugs to all of you on this bittersweet day.
ReplyDeleteWe know exactly how you feel. Loosing Flynn broke my heart but then I wouldn't have had Dec.Jack was a great dog and you gave him a wonderful life - which is just about all any of us can do. We're glad you didn't stop blogging too! Mum & Dec x
ReplyDeleteSome dogs are just special. I can still cry over Chips who died 14 years ago. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteJust catching up here, been tied up with a couple of jobs and various other happenings. Had to say...tears here reading this. Reminds me of 20 hounds I have loved and lost over the years. I still have their birthdays on my calendar and keep track of how long ago it was. I miss every one of them, they all had unique personalities and you had to love them for whatever their special quality was. :) There were my heart dogs, they say you have only one, but I have to disagree. My heart is filled with them. There are a couple that stand out to me of course and that would be the first two. Blaze and Tex. These are the two that got me into this whole 'greyhound' rescue thing. They were the ones that taught me what it was to be owned by a greyhound and all the things that go with it.
ReplyDeleteThere is not a time that goes by when we are talking greyhounds that at least a half a dozen of them don't enter the conversation, and all of them linger on my tongue waiting to be brought back to life the instant I find an opening to mention them.
I always try to believe that everything happens for a reason, but them I have lost a few beloved hounds before the age of 7 to cancer and it is tough to find reasoning that gives me comfort in those cases. But I will say that if it were not for the loss of Jack, Joey would not know how much love could be bestowed upon him due to the big hearts that took his life in their hands. He stepped aside to allow the life of one of his 'brothers' to be as wonderful as his life had been.
And so the cycle continues....
So many hugs to you, though your heart has been broken with loss you have yet gained even more with the 'new kid', and I know no one could have done it better than you have. Joey was a challange in the beginning a lot of folks wouldn't not have taken on. I know this because I have adopted out well over 600 ghs in my time running GPA-MN. You are a rare breed and I applaud you for it!
Love,
Sistertex