Jackson's Blog

I love my dog.  It took me awhile to fully accept him into my life and it took adjustment to accommodate a little heartbeat in my home.  But I have loved him since the day he was gifted over to me in a little wicker basket at Christmas.

Through Jackson I can see a world different from the world we live in.  There is lots of play time and rest time, there is kibble time - never a worry to over or under eat.  There is treat time and outdoor time.  There is defending the homestead time and there is marking time.  There is buddy time and there is girl time too.  His needs are pretty basic.  Belly rub. Scratch. Scratch some more.

Today is Jackson's blog ...

I took Jackson to the office for the tail end of the work day.  He is twelve pounds of energy flying around the halls like they're a giant personal race track.  He brings smiles and laughter - something of a release after a long week for all.  In the winter, it wouldn't be unusual for me to bring Jackson back with me to work at night.  One evening, immersed in reading, I noticed my companion gone.  I came out of the office and heard voices down the hallway.  Here were the janitors talking to him and he would patiently listen in return.  It appeared they had a long standing relationship.  Later the same evening, I looked up to find him gone again.  This time I called out his name.  Loudly.  Several times.  On the last shout, down the steps from the second floor comes the pooch, as if to say, "I was having fun, what do you need me for?"   I found out that Jackson would follow the cleaning crew upstairs on their nightly rounds.  He found their work endlessly more facsinating than mine - they made noise and they hauled around big containers that smelled interesting.

Before he was neutered a few months ago, he would hang onto the backs of Allie and Lacey like a tiny little man pushing a huge wheelbarrow around the yard.   Those girls exhibited much patience with the little white tick attached to their back.  He would do no harm.  Although nephew Luke won't be able to watch his three year old birthday party video until he is at least sixteen.  Or so goes the family story. 

He doesn't particularly care for the housekeeper but he loves it when my niece comes over to steal internet during the day.  He's grown to appreciate nephew Tom and is a big fan of three year old Sarah even though Sarah likes to put him in "time out" during her visits.

Jackson's spirit is endearing.  He has this great kung fu move when playing with other dogs - he's the ninja dog.  He goes to the "big dog" park rather than the "little dog" park because that is where he has found his kindred spirits.  The 140 pound Chessie next door  would come to visit each morning, his tail pounding on our door as if to say, "can Jackson come out to play?"  And I couldn't move fast enough to Jackson's taste so they could tussle in the grass. Hunter was Jack's best buddy till he moved away.  They were the canine version of Abbott and Costello.  The new family moved in and they brought home Archie the Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier.  Now Jackson has a dog with stamina to play with.  The funny thing about dogs is they sort things out on their own.  They understand the pack, they understand how to find peace.  Wish their human pack leaders could do the same.

Jackson has added so much to my life.  Yes, it's true.  It's harder to travel.  Spur of the moment trips are a thing of the past.  So are some adventures.  But he has been the very best gift and has been my very best teacher along the way.