Monday, September 1, 2008

Our valiant Jack


Our brave, stoic Jack was put to sleep. I pour over the photos to keep the visual memories in my head as happy and healthy as he once was. He was always brave, always sweet, always laid back - a contrast to his big brother Petey, who is full of drama. It will be impossible not to see him around every corner - he had his chair, his bench, his couch and his own little bed in the studio.
He even had his own hiding place, under a maple tree, where he quietly watched the squirrels and chipmunks. He loved going for walks first thing in the morning, rain or shine, then promptly jumped up on his bench and fell fast asleep while we read the paper. He loved romping through the cemetery with his brother and my man - a male-bonding treat that happened most every day for eight years. He was a man's dog, happy to share a Sunday afternoon watching MotoGP in the den. He had one trick - just one - where he would give us a big stretch right before we put on his collar. He howled when he heard sirens in the distance, prompting a chorus of all dogs in a 1-mile radius.

I lost a dog ten years ago, I remember thinking he had been through the hardest times with me and it would have been unimaginable without him by my side. Jack has been with us through the best years of our lives - we're not done yet - he left too soon. But it was because of him that we've had such happy times and lots of laughs. Happy trails to our dear Jack.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Karin, how sad, It is just so hard to lose a dog, their more then just pets, they are part of the family. I had to have my old Willie put to sleep in the spring, he was 17, which it turns out is ancient for a lab mix.
I made it through by remembering a trip we took in the car, he kept poking his nose in the front seat, and kissing my friend, she turned to him and said "If you kiss me again you're going to have to buy me jewelry" He got the picture and stopped. Find a happy memory and hold it.

Barbara Pask said...

Karin, I'm so sorry for your loss, time is the only thing that helps as you know. Pets aren't around long enough but eventually the pain becomes less and we have the great memories of them to cherish.

Kellie Marian Hill said...

oh, Karin, I'm so sorry for your loss- it's so sad that our pets can't be with us longer! I hope you can continue to find comfort in the happy times you all shared with Jack *hug*

Sarah Regan Snavely said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Patti Trostle Fine Art said...

Karin, my heart breaks for you. I have two horses,two dogs and two cats. I recently lost one cat of 17 years. I miss her terribly. I admit, they have been my best friends taking me through tough times as you also said yours did. I am also fightings a losing battle for some wild animals on my property that are having their homes taken away. They all touch my heart deeply as I can tell they do you also. I am sorry for your loss.

Julie D. said...

I am so sorry for your loss of valiant Jack. Our pets see us in the best possible way and they make us more human at the same time. I would say more but really can't find words for it.

Bill Brauker said...

What a sad day. It is so difficult to lose a loving family member. He may be gone, but you will have a lifetime of wonderful memories of him.
My thoughts are with you.

Rita Marandino said...

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog, Jack. I lost my Sandy three years ago and I don't think I have ever gotten over it. My heart goes out to you.

Mark Bridges said...

Bless his heart, and you's for giving him a good home.

Paula Villanova said...

Hi Karin,
I only started reading your blog this week but knew immediately what a loved and cherished pet you had in Jack. It always amazes me how much our pets enrich our lives; they are gifts that touch us long after they leave us. I am so sorry for your loss.

Michael Naples said...

I am truly sorry for you loss.

This Painting Life said...

Sorry to hear of your constant companions' passing, you've posted a lovely photo of him looking happy and smiling...

JEANNE BAUER said...

terribly sorry for your sadness. Sillygirl, Puppy, Sweety-Sweet-Sweet and Baby send there very best to you at such a difficult time.

The painting you completed of Jack and his pal in the studio really says it all. I'm thinking of you. jb

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

So sorry for your lose hold to the good memories.

Mona Diane Conner said...

I'm so sorry Karin. Jack's sweetness comes across so well in his wonderful photos, and you gave him such love and happiness. May the good memories of Jack also bless you and carry you forth.

Don Gray said...

Very sorry, Karin. What a difference he made in your life, though, and you'll always cherish that.

Dee Sanchez said...

Karen,
I have lost six dogs who all lived to between 11-14 years old. I loved them all more than life itself. My last baby, Copper had cancer (we didn't know) and I had someone come to our house to put him down because it was all over his body. I fed him two huge bowls of chocolate ice cream (something they're never supposed to have) and he ate it like it was caviar. It is the hardest thing in the world to lose someone who seems to be able to see into your very soul and gives you undying, unconditional love. To have a dog as a friend to to truly know love. May he rest in peace.
Dee Sanchez

Paint Squared said...

My heart is with you all, Karin. The love of a pet is extraordinary & I know how deeply your Jack will be missed. I send you love & comfort from Maine.

Johnnie Sielbeck said...

I'm sorry to hear about Jack and know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet and family member. Hold on to those happy memories and give Petey a big hug.

Jeff Mahorney said...

:(
My condolences Karin. I'm so sorry. He was a beautiful, happy dog and I still love to look at the little painting you made of him.

Mary spires said...

Hi Karin, I'm so sorry for your great lost of the "best friend"...the love they give you daily can't be replaced, but you have all those wonderful memories, plus a great portrait of him with his smiling little face..remember he will be a little star in the night sky.

Karen said...

Karin, my thoughts are with you. I am struggling with the sudden loss of my cat Ceara just this morning., It is all so raw and I just don't know how I will get through it. And I open my email to see your loss. I am so sorry.
Karen Margulis

StilinStudio said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. The unconditional love of a pet is unlike any other. I hope the happy memories help soothe your sadness.

Roxanne Steed said...

Oh Karin, I'm so sorry to hear the news of Jack. I know you will miss him. I loved the little painting you had done of him, felt like I knew him through you...our hearts are breaking along with yours. As it's been said before- hold on to those happy memories, that smiley grin, wagging tail, happy face-loving dog.

Manuela Valenti said...

Karin I'm so sorry for your loss. I know what you are going through as we just experienced this a couple of months ago. We had to put my dear Ruffo, a German bracco to sleep a few days after his 16th birthday. The pain will eventually go away and it will be replaced by the wonderful memories you have of his short but wonderful life with you.
God bless.

Art By Erika said...

Such wonderfully indelible memories! Happy trails to Jack!

Fannie said...

Thanks for sharing your memories. Sorry for your loss. Sending virtual hugs . . .

Linda Warner Constantino said...

Such a tough loss. I feel for you.

Linda

Deb Kirkeeide said...

Like all of us here I am sorry for Jack's passing. I know you will miss him terribly. Your tribute to Jack is beautiful, I feel like I know him a little and I shed a tear as well.

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Karin, my heart goes out to you with your loss of Jack.

Laurel Knight said...

So sorry Karin for your pain and loss. I have felt the same myself, and no words can make it any better. Only the wonderful memories will help the time pass.

Headd Household said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dear friend. He was a lucky dog to have such a loving home.

FCP said...

What a loving tribute to your Jack, Karin. Dogs teach us so much about unconditional love and how to live in the moment. What a gift to have had him for eight years.
Hugs to you, your guy and Petey.
Faye

Lorrie Drennan said...

There is nothing quite so comforting as the presence of a beloved pet. In your studio, at the door when you return from being away, under your feet when you are cooking...they love you no matter which "you" is present that day. They don't care, they just love you. Jack is under a maple tree in Heaven watching squirrels and watching over you and Petey and the rest of the family.

Anonymous said...

May time do it's quiet work bringing comfort to your heart with the thought of a forever wagging tale. My heart is with you!

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

This photo shows us his beautiful spirit. So sorry.

A Reason to Paint said...

Karin I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your special family member Jack. It's a feeling I know so well whereby the depth of a loss's pain is such a testament to the love that was shared. Take care.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Karin, So sorry for your loss

Andy Mathis said...

That is so sad.

It sucks to have to make that decision, but what a beautiful gift for Jack so that he doesn't have to hurt anymore and unnecessarily.

Give Petey a hug for me.

Austin Maloney said...

We are all hurting with you.

n warner said...

Karin -
That's a hard hit...so very sorry for
for your loss. He was somethin' special and glad you had that good stretch to remember among so many...
My best thoughts go out to you.
nina

Jennifer Young said...

I was so very sorry to read this. I know this feeling all too well. I'm sure you know your Jack will always be by your side.

Pattie Wall said...

This comes a bit late, I have been out of the country, but never the less, I am so sad for you. It is hard to imagine life without our beloved friends. I am sure he was a very lucky dog to own such a great person as you. I think Jack, as your first different strokes painting challenge, is one of the best ways to commemorate him! He will live on!

Jason Waskey said...

My condolences, Karin.

Joan Marie Giampa, D. Arts said...

Karin:

Jack looks like my Buck--a terrier who passed 10 years ago. I love the blog you set up with all the pictures of him. Just found it. I had to put my dog Jet to sleep last year. I whaled so loud in the vets office that they heard me in Alabama. Now I have a chocolate lab "Vira". Pets are our unconditionally loving mates who stay in our hearts forever