Like most people, the past few months have been a bit chaotic for us. Unlike most people, the chaos started back in September when a six-week renovation on my kitchen and bathroom turned into an almost six-month ordeal. We were able to sneak in one quick trip into the United States at the beginning of the Covid-19 situation (stay tuned for that post), and just as we were getting used to the “new normal” ( I hate that phrase by the way), we got hit with an even bigger blow.
One Sunday afternoon, I noticed Jack seemed a little unsteady and had a slight head tilt. Well that looked familiar: he had had an episode of Old Dog Vestibular Syndrome. Having gone through it before with Piper, I wasn’t worried and fully expected that he would work his way through it.
The next morning, it was full on drunken stumbling around. Now I knew that it usually took about 24 to 48 hours for it to start to clear up so I still wasn’t worried. Jack was a tough little guy and had always bounced back from whatever life threw at him.
Tuesday morning, it was obvious that he wasn’t improving. Any doubt that I had about his health was dashed when he started having seizures. His old sitter who was like a second mom was visiting him when he had the first seizure and then he had more. Any optimism that I had for his recovery was gone. At almost 13 years of age with a heart murmur, an arthritic shoulder, and almost completely blind, I was not about to subject him to tests in a desperate attempt to squeeze out a bit more time with him.
Jack passed peacefully with one of his favourite vets and had his brothers with him. I know he had a good life with me and take comfort in that. I had recently bought him a wagon that I used to take him to the river so that he could go swimming again and seeing the sheer joy on his face is the first thought that I have when I think about him.
I know that he’s waiting with Piper and all the cats and no doubt he’ll fill her in on how things have been with Leo and that meathead King. He’ll find the hottest spot he can to nap the time away and that massive personality in his little body will quickly find him leading whatever pack he plays with and will keep everyone up with his snoring.
We had a good run pup. I showed you the world. And when we meet again, you’ll be healthy, the whole pack will be together, and we’ll have eternity together. Then little one, oh the adventures we will have.
Wilderness Jack. Jack posing like a pro. Brothers ready to hit the road. Enjoying a short break. Well that’s terrifying. Jack living large. Jack exploring.
