Jack

This week we had to make a very hard choice to put down our dog.  Jack would have been 10 on Halloween this year.  He had an obstruction and he couldn't keep any food down.  He also had developed arthritis in his hips that had come on pretty strong and we were finding new lumps and bumps on his body all the time.  Given his age and wanting the best for him we decided it was time to say goodbye on Tuesday morning, July 29.   He had started getting sick early Sunday morning.  I had a feeling we might be dealing with a bigger issue so we made a special effort to spend quality time with him, well at least as much as what he wanted.  He loved to swim with us and although he wasn't jumping in and being all crazy he did walk in on the steps and paddle around a little and seemed to be enjoying just cooling off in the water like we do.  Anyone who knew Jack knew that no food was safe around him - he loved people food!  He was so sick on Sunday the kids and I were able to eat ice cream cones while sharing a chair with him and he didn't even try to snag a bite.  That's when I knew we were really in trouble.  Things went downhill from there and I called Brandon home from work on Tuesday morning.  I couldn't look into his sad eyes and see him in pain.  We told the kids an hour before so they could give him lots of love.  Elizabeth cried a lot and was really upset.  Grant said he was being brave and wasn't going to cry (although his bottom lip had a little quiver to it).
We spent a lot of that last hour just sitting outside and petting him.  Grant wanted to give him his favorite snack (cheese) and Jack even surprised us and jumped up and drank out of the bathtub - one of his all time classic Jack moves!  Brandon grabbed his frisbee (his favorite toy) and he chased (ok, ran slowly) after it once.

Jack & Elizabeth

Jack & Grant

Walking out the door and saying "we will be back" and then correcting myself to be clear that "mommy and daddy" will be back was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  But the kids have done just fine and have handled it really well.

Jack has given us all kinds of stories and lots of great memories.  He never really slowed down until he hit the end.  He protected our family from the moment I was pregnant with Elizabeth.  The kids loved him so much, especially Elizabeth.  She would wake up each morning and come into our room and cuddle up with him and give him love and she loved it when he licked her face.  He may have eaten everything under the sun and drove us crazy but man did we love Jack.  I look at the corner where his food used to be or where his kennel was or I find dog hair and I am sad because our family feels empty and incomplete without him, but he filled our hearts full for 10 years and that is what we must remember and never forget.

Yes he is sitting on the table outside...a few years back

Ok he had the sad puppy eye thing down because this was an old picture!

Tuesday morning we went to the Memphis St.Jude runner send off.  I told my mom that it could be worse, my kids could be dying of cancer and she said yes that would be worse but think of all the kids that will love playing with Jack in Heaven.  I really hope Jack is up in Heaven licking little faces, chasing frisbees and eating cheese all day long!

Jack's last swim