Pee at last...pee at last...thank God all mighty, I can pee- at last!

My Mom and Dad noticed that I wasn't able to mark my territory anymore. No pee would come out and I would wince with pain. Mom immediately called Patty, who said that I needed to get to the vet right away. The vet office was a scary place but I knew that I was going to get help. Dr. Yamaguchi said that I needed to get to a specialist for immediate surgery.
I was driven to Cypress where I was admitted for surgery due to crystalization of my urine.
I had a blockage and had to stay at the ER overnight where they drained my bladder for me and cleared the blockage out of my urethra. It was such a relief to finally be able to relieve myself!
The vets found that I have some small stones in my kidney too. I am on medication for the rest of my life but let me tell ya, I can run with the best of them now!!! I feel 10 years younger!
My humans spent so much money to get me all better and I'm so grateful to them for not giving up on me.

Joy!

Am I dreaming? Is this really happening?

Everyday I wake up...warm, comfortable and rested. I go out in my big yard and sit next to my human, watch the wind blow the leaves on the fruit trees. I eat, go get the mail...get lots of love. My humans smile because they say I literally jump for joy everyday.

This life...it's too good to be true. I've waited 13 years for a life like this.

Things I love...

My bed is my most prized posession. I love to fuss with the blankets and make my bed for 10 minutes at a time. I also love my baths. My coat just shines and I feel so proud and handsome. I show off on our daily walks. Strangers stop to talk to my humans about me and how handsome I am. With each passing walk, I get stronger and more energetic. I really look forward to walks.

Life is unreal but my new family says that I deserve it. That I'm a good boy! Well...they are good humans who I will be forever grateful for.

Curiouser and curiouser...

What are "STAIRS"?

My new parents walk up into the sky each night on these "stairs"...I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm not sure how they do it.

I tried to step up one...then changed my mind. I'll stick to my bed...I feel safer on the ground.

Nine Days Later...

Everyday is a new adventure, a new experience, a new discovery...

I've never had a choice before, for 13 years I just waited for my turn to go to the bathroom, to eat...that I guess, has made me extremely patient. I am so patient that my new humans were very surprised.

Do you know what I got my first night? My own big bed...and 2 blankets...AND to top it off, these fuzzy animals all around staring at me. I've never seen animals like this, they don't move, they just look at me...strange creatures.

I haven't slept this good in ages...

Patty came back the next day to check on me, I was shy and still a bit nervous about my new enviornment, I liked it but was expecting to be taken away soon..back to the rescue.

Patty said, "come on out Jack, I have a surprise for you..." FOR ME?! What more can I ask for? When I went outside, I saw a dog..."Callie? Is that you? My long lost best friend from Friends for Pets?" We sniffed butts and lo and behold..it WAS CALLIE!!?? "You know these humans tooo?"

We chased each other around the yard for an hour, we are both seniors so we were exhausted. I invited her inside but she already knew everyone. I couldn't stop kissing her. Thanks for visiting...I feel really good about this place now...safe.

On the 3rd day, I went out to get the mail with my female human, the neighbor dogs were STILL barking. I don't think they realize how good they have it..so I barked back...my new human was impressed. She says I have a great baritone voice. The other dogs stopped barking...that's right, there's a new sheriff in town pups...that'd be me..JACK!

I also got a bath and my coat became so white...I got eye drops in my infected eye, mmm that felt good. I'm so handsome, I always knew it...back to my humans. I love to sit on their feet and sleep on their feet when they watch movies. They are so kind.

Then...I got news that they wanted to adopt me!!! ME? My own forever happy home with these humans? OKAY!!!

I love to warn my humans when strangers come to the door...they love my bark. I don't do it to much...just when I need to warn them and protect our house. I never barked at the rescue...only a few times at the Dog Park. I never had anything of my very own to be protective of. I sure don't want to lose my new family, I will be a good guard dog and warn them of intruders.

My Male human loves to cook, so one day, I stood up with my front paws on the kitchen counter to get a closer look. Ham...mmmm. That looks good. I was told that I shouldn't do that...so...I won't...promise.

I love to sleep on my bed, I love my baths and blankets...I love to try and steal butter cookies out of the tin. I don't like getting my butt cleaned...eww.

These strange furry creatures are still staring at me...I think I will have to defend my family and shake each one. They don't move, they don't make a sound and they STILL don't breath. Strange little creatures...

My new momma has a strange contraption that keeps clicking and flashing in my eyes. She says, "smile Jack..." I smile and she is happy. I'll keep doing that...smiling. It's not so difficult to do, things are too perfect for barks.

I've always been too shy and timid that at every adoption fair, I'd be over looked. Well, I also have a shorter hind leg, arthritis and a nervous peeing condition. Not good odds if you want to find a home...when you are as old as I am.

However, my humans call me angel, handsome, a doll, perfect...am I dreaming? They looked passed my flaws...I'm perfect. I'm loved. I'm grateful.

Crutial Visit...

I've been with my new humans for almost 9 days and it's been a week chalk full of new experiences.

Imagine...In the last 13 years I have been from pound to rescue, spending most of my days looking out of a crate. Mind you, I have always been grateful for the love and care from Friends for Pets all these years, they kept me alive. BUT...I never, ever had anyone or thing to call my very own.

Patty picked me up, I vaguely remembered her from a year ago, she adopted my best friend Callie and also sat with me at a dog adoption event.
I didn't realize that I jumped into her car until I looked up and we were driving away from the rescue.

She talked to me during the drive about where we were going, which was to visit her parents. Their doggie crossed over to Rainbow Bridge and she wanted to help them to be happier, that I might be able to help them.

She said that I needed to endear myself to her Dad and I would have a forever home. I was worried, I was excited, I WANTED TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT!
We drove for a long time...I was a bit antsy....I couldn't sit still.

When we arrived, Patty walked me into the back yard, the neighbor dogs were barking. I'm use to hearing barking at the rescue, so it really didn't phase me.

The yard was GINORMOUS!!! There was a pool, but I don't swim...but the yard was so spacious I couldn't contain myself. I marked my territory about 15 times.

Then I was introduced to Patty's Mom, she was nice but I wanted to run around the yard more. Then I was invited inside the house to meet Patty's Dad, I was nervous but he said, "Hi Jack, don't worry, I'm a good guy...you'll like me once you get to know me." I believed him.

I couldn't stop pacing from the den to the yard...I could stay in that yard forever! Patty stayed with me for a few hours, I could hear her talking to her parents and telling them about me. Finally, she asked if I could stay the night and they said, "Sure!"

OH BOY...overnight...here????