Still miss ya boy

[POPTOP]

So very sorry for your loss.

It has always amazed me how the next furry family member has found us. Hugs

[AZ Labs]

Jesse was so ingrained in my life back then. If whatever I was going to do couldn't involve him; I usually wouldn't do it kinda thing. Not that my world revolved around him; just that it seemed right with him there if at all possible. Even after I married when he was 6; he was never put aside. Things were different for sure, but even better I think for him. Twice the love and attention. Even more adventures . He was such an easy dog to be around. Always. Not a single day goes by still; 4 years later, that I don't think of him. But Mr. Wyatt definetely keeps the story alive these days. He is quite a unique fella. Similar to Jesse in many ways; but defentely a different soul . This one came from a pedigree of hard working/hunting dogs that go way back. Several Champions are spread throughout his lineage too. Wyatt has ALOT of game in him. And while he is not one to get into typical dog trouble, He is not always easy to be around. He is a bit stubborn and impatient, just wanting with ALL his spirit to recieve the next command. Any command. Just tell me what you want and I'm all over it. Anything. And he delivers. Perfect. Fast. Now. Whats next. Please !!!!! He is always on my heel; but rarely in the way. He is lean and Beautiful beyond description. He is so healthy in every way . Hips/eyes/elbows all perfect. He is very obediant and trains fairly easy once you get what he is all about.Took me awhile; but I fully get it now. But no matter how hard the work; when he rests; he seems bored. Like that's all you got !! At 4 years old now, he is finally easing back just a bit. Reminds me of Jesse at 2. I am blessed to have him. He keeps me going for sure. Not a bad thing at all. He will not let you be lazy. He is a happy,loving, full of life friend that I believe was sent my way. Can't wait to see him in a few hours . I always put my stuff down when I get home and go sit on the floor so he can come snuggle me and trash talk to me with tail in overdrive; making sure I get a full days worth of Yellow lab hair on me. Hahahaaa. Ain't Life Grand !

[ZoeysMommy]

Its very obvious that Jesse was well loved and led a life most dogs dream about.

[AZ Labs]

I've shared the story of how my current boy Wyatt came into my life after Jesse passed. But as I recall my memories these last few days, I started to remember what brought Jesse into my life back then.
I hadn't had a dog in about 3 years when Jesse found me. My previous Lab boy,BoJo died at 7 years old from complications of a head injury that happened right in front of me one night when he turned suddenly in the hallway when the doorbell rang. As he spun around, he hit the side of his head right behind his eye on the bathroom door jam so hard that he passed out. When he came to several minutes later , he was very confused, but seemed ok within a half hour or so. Not to be . Within a week he started having seizures that became more frequent and violent. After 2 months, and thousands of dollars of Vet care and medications, with him getting worse each day; I made the decision to end his agony. I was 21 and living at home still.

I moved out of my father’s home the following year and lived as a roommate to a co-worker. Life was pretty good and I was finally out on my own for the most part. I had a good job, but money was tight. My roommate had a Lab ; Murphy Brown. She was a wonderful dog. I loved to play with her and couldn't wait until such a time in my life when I could have a Lab again. But now wasn't the time I felt. Eventually my roommate decided to breed Murphy, and one morning, there we were. Helping Murphy deliver 11 pups. Helping raise these pups was fun, and cheap entertainment for sure. My roommate kept asking if I wanted one. I always declined. Not just yet.

Then one night about 4 weeks after the pups were born, I was driving home from work at 2am after a 12 hour shift; I hit an old yellow Lab that wandered out in front of me in the shadows of the street lights. I pulled over and ran back to him to find him very badly injured and dying. What had I just done ? I gently carried him to the side of the road and held his bloody body ,in pure shock and disbelief in what had just happened. I put my jacket under his head , and with tear filled eyes I told him I was sorry a hundred times it seemed until he passed a few minutes later. He looked very old and had no collar , although he looked well cared for and was obviously someones dog. I called the Police and animal control showed up and checked for a micro chip. Nothing. I was devastated. The officer tried to comfort me saying it was not my fault, and these things just happen sometimes. I appreciated his words; but it didn't help. I gave the officer all my information in case they found an owner, and then they just hauled him away and that was that it seemed. I'll never forget the feeling as they drove away. How it was just over. Done. Like it never happened and didn't mean a thing in the realm of the world around me. I felt so small and insignificant standing there alone on the side of that road. Such a waste of a life. The next day I placed an ad in the newspaper for a “Found Lab”, hoping I could find the owner to at least explain what had happened. Nothing. I hung flyers all around the area where I had hit him. Nothing. Not 1 single call. The guilt tortured me for days. Memories of BoJo came flooding back too. Meanwhile, going home each night and helping to take care of my roommates litter of pups was bitter-sweet at best. Until several nights later, when something stirred in my soul ,and I decided I wanted to give one of these little guys as good a life as I could. I felt at the time that I owed it to the beautiful, lost old boy I took from this world on the road that horrible night. I knew I could do it. Somehow I would make it work. I had to. I needed that bond again,3 years missing from my life. Maybe this too could help me onto the next part of my life , that was still somewhat eluding me. So I got pick of the litter and I picked the biggest yellow boy in the group. That was Jesse James. And from that day forward, I did everything I could to make his life wonderful. And in the end, I think he did much more for me than I did for him . Doesn't matter. We enjoyed alot of life together. Miss ya boy.

[Bridget]

Thanks for the beautiful tribute to Jesse and your updates. I am glad you have bonded with another lab. I just lost Heidi, my German shepherd and heart dog 21 days ago. She was 13 1/2 and we shared all of life. I know what you have been through and I hope I can bond in that way with another dog, perhaps Cori, our lab. I love Cori to pieces, but so far, it's just not the same.

[AZ Labs]

I am very sad for your loss Bridget. I hope that the accounts of my life I have shared will help you and others deal with these times in your life. These times are some of the most difficult times you may experience in your whole life. And as for wondering if things will ever be the same with another dog; my experience is that it will not. But that is perfectly OK I have found for myself. I have been through this enough times now to have a history to look back on; and realize that each new dog that came into my life brought something new and different. But only after I learned to step back and appreciate the individualality of each of my boys. And to focus on what makes them tick, and embrace them with all my heart. Next thing you know; a new best friend you may find. Much easier said than done I confess. Many say you got to let them go to be able to move on. And I feel for me there is much truth to that. But to not be willing at any given time to look back and cherish the memories and review lessons learned seems wasteful for the limited time we have in our lives. Why start over when you can continue on kinda thing. And I'm sure when i'm nearing the end of my life some day, I will look back and have an overall favorite no doubt. But I hopefully have too much life to live yet to even bother worrying about it now. Our dogs ask so very little of us, yet give so much in return. It is a blessing each and every minute we share our world with them ,and theirs with us. They will each will bring something special into our lives if we just let them.

[Bridget]

Yes, thank you. I think it is going to just take more time for me and Cori. I need to let Heidi go first, which is taking more time than I expected.

[AZ Labs]

There is no hurry. There are no rules. There is only deep feelings and pain right now. Please know that tears were very real as I typed all I did the last few days. What I shared was my experience. Everyone is different and has to come to terms on their level. Only you can know when you're ready to take the next step. And even if you never get close to another dog the way you did your beloved Heidi, every second of what you and her shared will always matter more than anything else. At 44 years old now myself, life has sent many painful lessons my way. I lost my Mother last November, and my Father 3 years ago . And to be honest, both of their passings were much less painful than my dogs. There's a thing about the spoken word and knowing deep within that everything was said and understood that needed to be. There is great peace to be found in that. But no matter how close we become to our pets; we are always left wondering if they really know how we felt. Take your time and things will work out as they should. And Cori will be there for you no matter. That's just how they are. That is what makes them so very special.

[Bridget]

Thank you. I was surprised at how the loss of Heidi has brought up the loss of my mother 7 years ago. I think my obsession with getting the timing right with Heidi was a product of wanting to "do it right" with her death in a way that I wasn't able to with my mom's. Poor Cori was always cowed by Heidi and I think I thought that would miraculously end when Heidi was gone, but Cori is still Cori and I am still me. Hopefully, little by little we will form a strong bond. I really want that for Cori and for myself.

[BaconsMom]

I am so sorry for your loss. Your words brought tears to my eyes thinking of your sweet pup and my Lily. They are all waiting for us on the other side of the Rainbow bridge