A Dog's Life

Renny—my girlfriend Elissa’s father-- was a dog person. Mary--Elissa’s mother-- was not. But to her credit, Mary cared for several dogs to please her family. The daily day to day animal care fell on Mary’s shoulders.  But much of the hardcore dog duties—like the birthing of puppies and the cleaning of  impacted doggie behinds was Renny’s job. And when Starfi—the gray miniature poodle with the really big attitude passed on, Mary said No more dogs.

When Elissa’s younger brother Paul was still living at home, post Mary’s “no more dog” rule, he brought home a stray puppy he found on the golf course. The stray’s living arrangements at the house were to be a temporary situation--except they chose to give the dog a name. And when Renny came home with dog toys everyone knew Max—the stray pup--- wasn’t going anywhere. Max had found his new home—no matter what Mary said.

And Max—the dog Mary never wanted-- lived a ridiculously long life---probably because Mary never wanted him. And Renny loved the dog and would get down on the floor to play with him until Max lost all interest. And when it was Max’s time—Renny---as chief dog care provider of hardcore duties, had the task of bringing Max to the vet to be put down.

And shortly after Max’s death I asked Renny if he planned on getting another dog. And he said No—not until they can create a dog that can live longer than 14 or so years. I just don’t have it in me to put down another dog. It is too heartbreaking.

Jasper has outlived all his dog contemporaries and has led a rich life. He is at least 16 years old. Jasper is the winner of the “I can live the longest” club. But for the last 2 or 3 weeks he has rapidly declined. Jasper has become so frail—likely from esophageal or stomach cancer that his time has come. And as chief dog care provider of hardcore duties in concert with the advice from my vet, I have made arrangements for Jasper to finally meet his Poppy in heaven.

And despite knowing that Jasper has lived longer than was ever reasonably expected of him, like Renny, I wish all dogs could be created with much longer life cycles. Sixteen years is just not long enough for a creature that has become woven into the fabric of your family.

But unlike Renny I will always have a dog—no matter what.  Dogs bring joy to a human that no human can. And while it severs my heart in two to put Jasper down, my heart is more than twice the size it would have been had Jasper not been in my life at all—and that means even with a heart split in two-- I am still ahead of the game.      

Thank you Jasper for expanding my heart and shaping my life. You have taught me much. Your middle name was intrepid. And I will always love you.