Monday, March 17, 2008

Farewell Jack


March 16, 2008
Rest in peace, Jackson.
We will miss you!

[Edited to add]
Yesterday (Sunday) we lost a good and loyal friend, Jackson. By our best & semi-educated guess, Jackson was 11 yo. He was a dependable watchman... a dog I could absolutely count on for keeping the coyotes out of our yard and away from the other animals. A dog whose bark I could rely on to actually be alerting us to a visitor, a stranger, a delivery, an unwanted animal visitor, etc. (unlike the unnamed who bark at the grass blowing ;) )

Jackson always escorted us up or down the driveway (it's l.o.n.g.... say 600 ft or better). He'd trot beside the car or truck, happily wagging his tail as if he was the traffic controller or the parking attendant.

He was the best mutt I've ever know next to my grandparents dog, Shnoodle. We figure he was a mix of German Shepherd and Beagle maybe. No matter, he was a great dog! Whenever the kids are outside they are always surrounded by our dogs and our cats... always! Jackson was no exception. I could count on him to be watching out for them.

Yesterday, the girls were outside playing and enjoying the brisk Spring day. I was inside trimming the stairwell I've been meaning to paint. Suddenly they came in a panic... hollering for me to come help! "Jackson is getting hurt bad!"

A young boxer had come on our property. The girls say that Jackson was barking and went out to where the dog was. The boxer attacked.

I'm going to refrain from telling the whole, detailed story here. Needless to say, it was the most horrific thing I've witnessed. In the end, both dogs were put down. The injuries were serious and the aggression was grave.

We're sad. The girls are sad and mad. All understandable emotions... even necessary in the face of grief.

We're missing our Jack-y-boy. His absence was notable today.


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