He was a pet of friend of Stacey's (my mother's boyfriend) and was being leant for breeding purposes. At first I couldn't stand the dog, but very shortly after numerous games of tug o' war, we fell in love and became inseparable! Zak would not be returning to his old master, I would become the proud owner of my very own dog.
(a picture I dug up from a LONG time ago... I think I am 14, making him... 2-3)
We had good times full of play, bath times, and snugging up with each other in bed; he even helped me pick my outfits from time to time. Zak also made a good comforting buddy I can remember when I had had my heart broken for the, I don't know, 100th time and he knew I was hurting and without even asking, he would nudge his head under my arm for a hug.
There were also some not so good times. Zak definitely suffers from the Napoleon complex, this tiny (shorter than the average Jack) dog, would think he was as big as a house and get into a lot of troubles. I can't tell you how many times he would come home, covered in blood from a dog fight he had just got into and every time, I would clean him up, nurse his wounds and put him in bed till I knew it was safe for him to go out. I would do anything for my dog. I, the person who is completely squeamish about blood or injuries, or vomit, or whathaveyou, managed to apply ointment on my dog's exposed shoulder muscle and bandage daily (he lost a lot of skin from a fight, that the vet couldn't stitch him). He is my baby; and mother's do anything for their "young".
Zak and Emma would get "married" and have 4 beautiful litters of perfect Jack Russel's for the next eight years. Many would go to homes of farmers and there were a few that we would keep. They were like an old couple just sitting on the couch watching people and puppies go by. Sadly in the summer of 2008, Emma's life ran short due to a rattle snake attack. She was one of the coolest dogs we had and Zak would be lost without her.
Later that year, Christmas eve, to be exact, I thought I was going to lose my Zak. We found him in the living room, eyes all big and his hind legs non functioning. We thought it was chocolate poisoning (he had gotten into a box of chocolate cherries). Fortunately for me, it wasn't the case. Come to find out (from the E-Vet's) that Zak had slipped a disk in his lower back and the only way that it could heal (without surgery) was crate rest. And so for the next 3+ months, Zak lived in the crate in my room. I fed him, pet him, and would carry him outside for bathroom; even at 3 o'clock in the morning in the middle of January (cold)! Upon the time when he was starting to stand again, we learned that Zak was 3-5 pounds over weight, which was making the recovery harder on him and his back, so I made it my interest to help him lose it. We managed to take a good bit off, but like his mother had a hard time of letting that last pound go...
Fast forward to my freshmen year of college. I was so pumped to be starting college and meet new people, but it was hard to say "bye" to my buddy. We managed ok for the next year, and had a system. He knew I was coming home when mom would clean my room and make my bed. He also knew when it was time for me to go back from my packing and energy. It was never easy on either, him especially. I have reports from my mother that he broke down every time and was depressed for at least a month after I left. I would talk to him over the phone from time to time just to let him know I was still there and after all this time he is still loyal to me.
Now fast forward to last week. I am getting ready to move to Alabama for work, post graduation and get word that I can have my dog at where I am staying. Doing what anyone would do, moving away from home, with dog, I start gathering things for him to make the transition easier and get him checked up before the move. Was not expecting the news...
3 pounds over weight (again?)
Tartar on the teeth
and a Cat. 3 heart mummur
I felt like the world's worst mother. I hadn't been ohm I couldn't watch him as well. And my mom does the best she can (she has 3 other dogs to take care of on her own). I wallowed in the guilt until reality kicked in. Hello, Zak is 11 years old. The average Jack lives to 15; old things break down. Besides, Zak may have a heart problem but he sure doesn't act like it (still bouncing up and down like he did at 1) I accepted these things and then began to assess what needed to be done. Currently we are working to save up money for his X-Ray to find out what is causing the mummur. Doing what I can about his teeth; happy to report after a week they are looking good as new. And as for his weight, we are working together to get rid of our guts! Because we are moving to the city, we are going to start walking more. We have started with 30 mintues every evening with just a steady walk. I am hoping that we can build up to where we are going faster and maybe even longer. I am giving him back the four years we didn't have together and doing all I can to make his (many) remaining days longer.
I am using this blog to tell our stories, goals, and accomplishments. I think it'll be a weekly thing right now and depending on things, keep it that way or cut into a monthly thing. We'll see.
(Zak and I now)
