Jade

Happy Thursday

How are you all doing on this amazing Thursday morning? All is well here. Recovering from my procedure on Tuesday and I’m still, a tad bit sore. Hoping to grab a little off my feet time so I can be up and around for the weekend ahead. It’s going to be a busy one. Party at the Kites, then an event my club is putting on for the kiddos of the lake. I’m excited John’s coming up for the party on Saturday. I know our lake friends are missing him.

Today I wanted to dedicate this blog to Jade. Jade was my boys dog for the last 15 1/2 years. She would have been 16 in January. She came to live with me her last few days and she never left my side. We enjoyed time outside, cuddling on the floor or couch and just snuggling. Her little legs could barely hold her up, but she sure did try to run every once in awhile, all the way to the end. I think the thing that brought her the most peace was just knowing someone was close by. I made her a large bed on the floor and surrounded her with soft pillows. Of course, Jade chose a blanket as her favorite. It was one I made for Kevin many years ago.

When your son calls you and asks you to take his pup because she’s hurting and crying, what else can a mom do, but take her and give her lots of love. Both Tommy and Kevin asked if I could take some time and just be with her, love her and hold her before she went off to her final sleep. They wanted her to pass knowing she was loved. Neither one of the boys could handle watching her take her final breath, and that’s okay, if I can do anything to keep them from having to face such difficult tasks in life, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.

While spending time with Jade I couldn’t help but think of how much joy she brought to our family, to each of us individually. When we brought Jade home, she was so frail, could barely stand and walk. I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to bring her home. I didn’t think she would last long, but when I saw the person who was selling her to us put her back into this duffle bag, I had to have her. Kevin fell in love with her the moment he saw her, so Jade became ours.

Jade was supposed to be crated at night, however, I couldn’t bare to listen to her cry, so I cuddled up in bed with Kevin, placed the little crate between us and little Jade slept with her head on the pillow and her little body in the crate, at least for the beginning of the night. By the time morning had come around, Jade was snuggled up on Kevin’s head. Let’s just say, Jade never came close to crate sleeping again.

We got Jade on a Saturday and on Monday I took her to the vet. I was informed that she wasn’t a teacup poodle, instead she was only 4 weeks at most. The people we bought her from wanted us to believe that she was a teacup, so they had to sell her off super young, in fact, too young to be away from her mama. Jade was sold to us as a teacup, instead, she grew into a toy. The perfect size with lots of attitude.

Jade, from day one was determined to be a big dog in a little dog body. I stayed home with her for the first two weeks that we had her. She needed to be bottle fed and cared for since she was taken from her mama so young. Funny, we never saw her mama, but becoming her mama was one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. Being able to bottle feed her and hold her gave us an unbreakable bond I’ll forever cherish. Even though she was fragile and delicate, there was a determined little pup with lots of spunk waiting to reckon with her world and that’s just what she did over the course of her life. Personality, well, Jade had that covered and then some.

Jade learned to walk steadily and quickly and enjoyed being wrapped up in a blanket to keep warm. She found one of Kevin’s baseball caps and she would sleep in that when he was at school or when she would take a car ride with me to go pick him up.

Jade became know as JJ-bug. She loved to run and play. Nobody thought she would ever be able to jump up on the couch or on Kevin’s bed, but, she was a determined little girl and within a couple of months, she was jumping up without any problem.

Jade was a wonderful pup. She was full of love, unconditional love for all those who knew her. She was a cuddle bug by all counts and couldn’t get enough lap time with anyone who would just sit and hold her. I think that’s what I’ll miss most about her, the time we got just cuddling. I used to get so much needle work done when she was with me, because I could sew and she could cuddle, it was a win win for both of us.

I am grateful I got to spend her last five days with her by my side. During that time, she gave back to me so much love and affection. It broke my heart to see her in so much pain and I struggled with knowing I would have to make the choice to choose her final day of life. I think that’s what was the hardest part of being a dog mama, we sometimes have to make that difficult decision, while at other times, they make it for us.

When Jade took her final breath, a part of me went with her. I know she knew love and I think that’s what made it easier for her to pass on. She is no longer in pain, she no longer has to struggle to lift her little body up, she is at peace and she will forever be missed.

Jade went to sleep on October 19, 2023 snuggled in her favorite blanket. She will forever be missed and she will forever hold a place in the hearts of those that knew her, loved her and watched her live her best life possible.

JJbug, I miss you and I love you.

Well guys, that’s about all I have for today. So much has been happening, but I couldn’t let another day go by without giving a little tribute to one amazing little pup. Her life had meaning and she gave meaning to so many lives. Jade wasn’t just another dog, she was family and she will be missed.

Take care everyone, and until next time, don’t forget, love life++