Memories - The best little pal, Jock

[Sam I Am]

Jock, even his name suited him so well. A little hairy hellion at the age of 12 weeks burst into our home 12 ½ yrs ago. We were so worried that our Scottie, Sandie, would beat up on him. Upon arriving home with the crate and cautiously opening the door , he bound out in one leap and started bossing Sandie around. She just looked at him, turned around and you could see her reaction…Kids!!  This little fire ball of energy raised hell at his first puppy class. At six months of age he was super smart, did all he was told but would not leave some of the other puppies alone. He particularly thought it great fun to pluck hairs out of a Papillon’s tail when she wasn’t looking. Nothing we tried persuaded him to stop .  Then came the agility classes at a year old. He again was a super smart, scaling the highest object, jumping through hoops, throw anything at him and he was game. Except his life long hatred for large male dogs.  In disgrace I had to pull him out of the class…. Really Jock trying to take on the Akita and the Doberman was not a good idea.

 

As the years went by you were an amazing companion. Never leaving my side. At four you had a lot of your teeth removed and I was so worried and scared for you, but in true Cairn fashion you jumped back the next day without a hitch, ate all your food and wanted more.  We then lost Sandie to cancer and I was so afraid you would mourn her as she raised you from a puppy and showed you the ropes. Again in true Jock behavior, it just meant more treats for you that you didn’t have to share. At six you started having a lot of tummy problems. Tests, liver biopsies and more ultrasounds showed that you had active chronic hepatitis. The outlook wasn’t good and we prayed you would be with us a bit longer. Somebody forgot to tell you that your liver wasn’t in the greatest shape so you just carried on.  Home made diets, lots of herbal supplements from our vet at the time stopped your tummy issues and life carried on as usual. You guarded our house like a fierce warrior. Who needed an alarm system … you would have thrown your life down for us I am sure if a stranger had dared enter your abode.

 

Your liver issues were a constant worry and I decided that doing more tests wasn’t going to do anything but make me a wreck. You didn’t care…. You had Ms Ball to play with, you had your garden, your walks and us.  We took you out to a friend’s cottage a few years ago and you thought that was pretty nifty ..jumping up on their coffee table and falling asleep. The wedding of a niece in British Columbia saw the three of us on a long road trip. Again such a smart boy, you just settled down in the back of the car and had a good long sleep, with potty breaks and treats, it was all just a new adventure. You patiently waited for us in the hotel room, knowing full well that no harm would come to you because your two uprights loved you more than anything they possessed.
More teeth had to be extracted as you reached 11 yrs old and I was so scared, so frightened that we would lose you under anesthetic. But our wonderful vets made sure you had the best care and your overnight stay sounded like you did ok. I was a basket case at home. Again you bounced back in no time… minus a few more teeth. But home cooked fish and potatoes didn’t need a lot of chewing.

 

Then Rosie the baby Scottie  came into our lives. A long journey , over ten hours, to Moosomin Saskatchewan. You sat back in disgust when on the journey back to Edmonton you were forced to share the car with this kid! But in time you grew to enjoy her company, rolling around the floor with her while growling like you were going to kill her. You both loved it. You did a great job of raising her.

 

And now illness has showed its ugly hand and we had to send you on your next journey. I hope your spirit soars Jock, I hope you are pain free, I hope you and Sandie are once again running with the joy of being alive. I miss you so much my dear lovely wee boy. Till we meet again.
 

Edited September 5, 2013 by Terrier lover

[hheldorfer]

Beautiful . . . a fitting tribute, Lynn.  God bless.

[Lynn in TN]

A wonderfully written tribute to a wonderful little companion. May God Bless You!

[_whits_]

It seems as though Jock spent his life here refusing to accept the limits heath tried to place on him and now he's in a place where they're aren't any limits to anything he can do. I bet he's frolicking with Sandie and apologizing for any puppy insanity he bothered her with. Bless the little man for showing all of us the power of mind over matter and the strength you can find in love. 

[kieiras mom]

So glad you remember the good times with Jock! I am so sorry for your loss.

[pkcrossley]

i know you understand what i mean --every time a little friend here dies, my redmon dies again too. each time he dies i learn more. we have had, and have now, the best friends in the world. we are privileged to protect and live with these hectic little souls. we will see them again. good boy jock. 

[Islander]

Thanks for your beautiful tribute. I only knew Jock as an old gentleman, it was lovely to get a sense of his whole amazing life with you. Wishing you peace.

[Autumn & Lola]

This is beautiful. It made me smile and cry. I am so sorry for your loss. Jock was a hellava little guy. May you and your family find comfort and peace in all your wonderful memories.

[Hillscreek]

What a good buddy Jock was and what a good family he had. 

[tomacmen]

My Gracie resembled your Jock very closely. She didn't compete like Jock except to get to a tennis ball before any other dog at the dog park. I'm not usually prone to crying but after reading your initial posting and truely emphathizing with how you were feeling I did cry for some time. Like a teacher without books,,,,,a soldier without weapons,,,,,or a minister without a bible,,,,,we are lesser people now that your sweet sweet boy and my little girl are no longer with us. We've been knocked off of that high pedistal that only fulfiling love can do for us. These little guys with their giant personalities hijack our hearts and even though we know it can't last forever we are totally devastated at the end.  I can't tell you it will all be better. I just feel too much loss and pain. I do know that the next time you look into the eyes of another dog the love that passed between you and Jock will help you see into that beings soul and you'll both be better for it

[Dempsy's Mom]

Wonderful tribute.  So sorry and so happy at the same time that Jock had a family like you guys.  God Bless you and little Rosie.  Happy Rosie is there to ease your sorrow.

[BetsyNoodle]

So very sorry that your sweet Jock has passed.  From your lovely tribute, it is clear that he lived his life to the absolute fullest, bringing so much love and laughter into your lives.  May all your wonderful memories of him soothe your aching heart.

[Ivy & Lucy's Mom]

I echo PK's words-everytime I read these wonderful tributes, it brings back a flood of tears of remembering my fur babies. I think its a wonderful way to leave a tribute to our best and faithful friends. This is one place we can all laugh and cry about our pets. As much as I cry reading each and every one, I do love to read about the journeys we had with our best friends. Bless all of those who have lost their faithful companions.

[jo_]

Oh, I am so, so very sorry to hear of Jock's passing. We've been away and this is my first time on the forum in weeks, I didn't even know he wasn't doing well. I'm crying as I type this - I can't imagine how heartbreaking this must be for you and your family. I've always enjoyed hearing your stories of Jock - he sounded like such a loveable little character. Hugs to you and may you find comfort in your memories and knowing that you gave him a wonderful life.

 

[DawnandTuk-tuk]

Beautifully said.  I've been thinking of you and Rosie, I hope you are finding comfort in each other.

[TazTalk]

I've been away from the forum for a couple months and I'm so sad to find your news here. You portrayed your love for a wonderful companion so beautifully. I hope Rosie is cuddling tight with you.

[Malcolm's Dad]

Jock's story has my tears flowing. He was a wonderful companion. May his memories bring comfort to you.

Edited September 20, 2013 by Malcolm's Dad

[Sam I Am]

My tears are still flowing. It's just so hard to not have his beautiful face greet me when I come home. Thank goodness Rosie , the Scottie is waiting for me.

[tomacmen]

Jock sounds like such a wonderful boy. He is still giving you kisses, now it's just from his permanent residence in his corner of your heart. My thoughts and tears are with you.

[BigFanSue]

So sad -- just wish they lived longer. The worse for me was that Samantha passed away way to young.

[Nancyj]

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Jock. He was such a little fighter from the beginning.  You will cherish those memories forever. Thanks for sharing, so we, too, could follow Jock's journey through your lives.

Nancy and Brinna