I could write a novel about my time with Jack. She was an incredible and unusual companion and, like many here, she was my heart dog and the center of my life. I am certain I will never have the chance to love a dog like her again. 

Jack and I found each other nearly 7 years ago in Sierra Leone. Just before Christmas, my home was broken into. I begged my landlord to hire a security guard for the nights so it wouldn't happen again. When I woke up on December 24, there was a very small, two or three week old puppy sitting outside my door. After doting on her for a couple of hours and wondering where she came from, it dawned on me that this was my security guard!

Those early weeks were difficult for me. There was no handbook on how to raise a semi-street dog in Sierra Leone. Do I baby her and protect her from the things that can hurt her? Or do I let her encounter difficult situations and hope that she learns how to protect herself? I chose the latter path - she was alone outside 12 hours a day and needed to see that cars and other dogs and some people were not her friends. I still think it was the right choice, but she forever carried the lessons she learned with her: growl and snap first, ask questions later. Living in cities once we were back in the US was challenging. I always wished I could give her a life in the country where she only had to interact with people she was familiar with.

Jack taught me so much about animal behavior and myself in the time we were together. Jack was always a fearful dog and would look to me when she was scared. It never failed to melt my heart, but she also taught me the importance of having patience and compassion for her struggles. I learned how to meet her where she was, rather than try to force her to be what I wanted. She also taught me skills I have brought to many areas of my life: how to recognize and stop my own frustration before it affected her, and how to set boundaries with others. I regret how long it took me to become assertive with people on the street who wanted to pet her, but I got very good at protecting Jack from unwanted encounters the last few years. 

Thank you to this community for your support over the last 4 years. You were there so many times for us and your wisdom made both of our lives so much better. Maybe most importantly, your conversations here prepared me for the end of her life: Nabil and I were able to articulate what made life worth living for her and her limits for tolerating medical intervention months ago. Her last few days were comfortable and I have not one regret about her passing, although I wish we could have had her with us for years to come.