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Saying Goodbye to Miss Jack
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Member Since:
27 August 2014
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20 June 2018 - 10:09 pm
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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. 

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
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21 June 2018 - 9:21 am
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So sorry for your loss of Jack...what an amazing story of her life! I can only imagine all the struggles you had to deal with, and I bet those struggles only made your bond stronger. I'm glad we got to met you and her at the Tripawd gathering in Virginia 2017. She will be dearly missed, and you will be sad (I still am, 1 year later), but she is running healthy and free with all our other warriors at the Bridge.

I know what you mean when you say "I am certain I will never have the chance to love a dog like her again." I feel the same way about Nitro; he is my heart dog, there will never be another one like him. But now we have Grizzly, a tiny white terror of a Westie; he's different, but he is love. Wishing you peace, and a different kind of love, someday, when you are ready.

Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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21 June 2018 - 10:05 am
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I am so sorry to hear sweet Jack earned her silver wings 🕊

You had an amazing life together, your story really is one of a kind ...

I wish she could have had more time with you and us, she is just such an important part of our family 🐾

I can promise you she will not be forgotten and she lives in our hearts as well as in yours, sweetie 🌹

She is free, flying from cloud to cloud with all of our Angels and telling everybody how she was chosen as your body guard from such a young age. 

THAT in itself is incredibly special 🌹

She was your guardian baby when she was in this earth and now she is your guardian Angel 🕊 from above 🌟

Love never dies, she is still by your side watching over you, you can be sure of that. 

Sending you all of my love 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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21 June 2018 - 10:17 am
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Thank you for sharing a bit more of your life with Jack. It was a true honor to meet you all in VA in 2017 as well. Knowing what I knew from reading here prior to meeting you all in person, I knew that Jack had issues with people getting to close. But I am thankful she allowed me to admire her from afar. 

I hear you on the heart dog .. while I adore and love Jasper Lily with all my heart ... my heart and soul remains with my first girl, Shelby. Shelby taught me SO much (perhaps that is the gift of getting your first dog as an adult in your late 20s). Shelby was with me through many, many milestones, broken hearts and happy times. I like to think I am a better person for having her in my life through those years.

With Jasper, I am definitely the cautious all the time protector and mom. A different yet still very loving relationship. 

The end of Jack's life ... being that it was peaceful and the community was there for you .. is all we could ever hope for with our fur-kids. 

Sending you lots of love and strength as the days and weeks move by ...

Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too) 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 June 2018 - 11:52 am
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We are so very, very sorry, our hearts go out to you both. What a story, what a life she had! I remember when you first joined us and we chatted, I was fascinated by how she came to you. You absolutely should write a book about her. She was a one-of-a-kind dog who taught you so much. Your protector for eternity.

It was an honor to meet Jack in Virginia, I'm so glad you attended, and you did it despite how bringing her into situations like that can be uh, challenging (you met Wyatt Ray so you know what I mean!). Your girl is free of pain now, and always by your side in spirit. Her story will forever be a part of this community too, and be there to help others who are feeling uncertain about the Tripawds journey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here with us.

-Rene, Jim, Wyatt Ray & Spirit Jerry

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 June 2018 - 11:56 am
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Sarah I hope you don't mind but I found some lovely images of her that you've shared:

At your wedding:

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At her photo shoot

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Her two year ampuversary

In her pup mobile

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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 August 2014
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21 June 2018 - 4:47 pm
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Reading your replies made me sob and smile at the same time. Thank you for seeing me, for understanding me and for loving her with me. Rene and Jim, thank you for posting the photos and video. I had forgotten about a couple of them. That last one especially captures how I felt about her. 





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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21 June 2018 - 7:11 pm
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Sarah, It was an honor to get to meet Jack in Va last year.  I am so glad that you got to show her what love is and it showed how much you and your husband loved that pretty girl. 

One of a kind of story for a one of a kind girl.  She was truly amazing.  Our love for our heart dogs never die.  It is always there even if and when you make room for another furbaby.   She will guide the right one to you.  That I believe. 

I agree you should write a book about her and how she came into your lives. 

Loved everyone of the pictures and videos Rene shared for you.  I think one of my favorites was the one from your wedding.  She was apart of you from the beginning and I loved how you included her in the pictures.

She will never be forgotten

xoxoxox

Michelle & Angel Sassy

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Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

Minneapolis, MN
Member Since:
23 April 2016
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21 June 2018 - 7:26 pm
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It was special to meet you and Jack last year in VA and even more special now that I know more of her story and more of your journey together.  We mourn that it was her time, but celebrate her spirit and the love you, she and Nabil shared as a devoted family.  Wishing her a gentle journey and you comfort in the tenderness of memory.

Lisa, Minneapolis

On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly.  His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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21 June 2018 - 7:33 pm
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Sarah ~

I'm so very sorry you had to say good-by to Sweet Jack!  I'm glad we were able to meet last year, even though we didn't bring Murphy, it was just too long of a drive for him to make.  That really was the Pawty of the Century!  Jack was meant to be yours and you gave her an amazing life.  I'm glad her passing was peaceful.

Hugs to you,

Donna & Glenn

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 June 2018 - 10:24 pm
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dcjack said

........... there was a very small, two or three week old puppy sitting outside my door. .........it dawned on me that this was my security guard!

.....lessons she learned with her: growl and snap first, ask questions later. 

Jack taught me so much about animal behavior........... I learned how to meet her where she was, rather than try to force her to be what I wanted. 

Such a lovely  tribute  for a very special  Dog Soul.

I picked out a few little snippets that were such a  confirmation  from the Universe that Jack HAD to be your dog and you HAD to be her human from the day she was born ❤

I mean, who sees a three week old puppy amd says "That's  my Security Guard Dog!"  A three week old puppy sits on your doorstep because  she knows you need a Guard Dog and you would recognize  that great potenial in her......even at three weeks old!!😁

Jack KNEW you understood  her.  You truly approached how you interacted with her, and she with you, from an enlightened Soul connection.   You always respected  who Jack was and created uiur world around her where she could flourish.  You two STILL have that same unbreakable connection.

The pictures that Rene picked were just perfect.  She, and you, are both smiling as you Chauffeur  her around in her Carriage😊  Such a fun time!  I'm  glad Rene included  the wedding picture with Nabil and Jack.  That speaks volumes about where Jack fits in your lives. She clearly  had a great relationship  with Nabil too. And that says a lot about what a special  Soul he is, vut youn already know that!

You loved her for who she is.  And ai have noooo soivt that's  what she told everyone at the Bridge upon her arrival.  Only after she growled and snapped first to make sure everyone knew that's  how she rolls and they better back off!

I do hope  you'll continue  to share more of D C Jack.I know she's  made her energy presence  known to you and Nabil and that had to be pretty darn special.💖

We love you and Nabil.  And we love our Jack.   Jack will NEVER be forgotten and her specialness  will always be honored.

Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too 

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!



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21 May 2016
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22 June 2018 - 8:02 am
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Those are lovely pictures, thank you so much for posting them Rene. 

It is so inspiring to see the wonderful life this gorgeous girl had with her loving family 💕💕💕

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

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