This is the first in what is likely to be a large group of musings about a subject very dear to my heart: dogs...in particular Schipperkes. I've had at least one of these wonderful dogs in my life since June 1984. The posts will not be in any chronological order... but I'll share things as they come to mind.
Jack is our current Schipperke. We adopted him from Ohio Schipperke Rescue on November 21, 2008. That adoption almost didn't take place.
Our last Schipperke female, Israel, had to be put to sleep on September 26, 2008 at the age of 12. I was devastated. She was the last in a long line of Schipperkes from the Kingfisher line that I'd had since 1996. I love Duke, our German Shorthaired Pointer, but I am a Schipperke lover to the core. There's just not another breed of dog that speaks to my spirit and heart like a Schip.
I had been watching the adoption websites for some time. I had wanted to get another Schip before Israel became ill. Our Ohio Schip rescue was empty at the time. I kept searching and found a wonderful rescue organization in Iowa called "Fluffy Butts Rescue Resort". FB had a Schipperke male named "Edgar". His photo just broke my heart. Long story short, 2 weeks after Israel died, we drove to Iowa to adopt Edgar.
Edgar was a beautiful boy, very shy, almost feral in behavior. We had him three weeks when he ran out the door on Beggars Night---never to be seen again. He was microchipped, had on ID -- everything-- but in spite of every effort to locate him, he has never been found.
I was again devastated. I felt sad and guilty about Edgar, and was again without that special Schipperke "something" in my life. The head of Ohio Schipperke Rescue (OSR) had been helping with the search for Edgar, so knew our situation. She asked if we'd be willing to provide a foster home for a 2 year old Schip male named "Jack". We drove to Ashville Nov 21 to meet Jack.
After 2 seconds with Jack, I was in love with him. My husband David could see that this wasn't going to be a foster situation, we simply adopted Jack that day.
Dr Q. of OSR said that Jack and a female schip had been left, tied up outside a no-kill shelter. She had received a phone call from a man a few weeks before that who said that he had 2 Schipperkes he was having to give up.
The female had already been adopted. Even then, my heart just ached for the people who had to give these dogs up. From the very start, Jack was a very loving little dog. A little shy, a little fearful, but with a beautiful heart and spirit.
Duke and Jack hit it off beautifully. Unlike Israel and Obi who were quite elderly when Duke got to know them, Jack is a young dog, full of energy and playfulness. Jack has really brought out the puppy in Duke -- who isn't young himself---he's almost 10. The two of them are a riot to watch, especially when 70-pound Duke imitates the play bow/ behavior of 16 pound Jack.
Schipperkes do a funny thing a Facebook friend of mine calls the "rippy romps". They like to run, jump, spin around, tear around at top speed from one end of the house to the other. Jack has taught Duke the rippy romps, an it's hysterical. They are best of friends. Having Jack as a companion has been wonderful for Duke.
As Schipperkes go, Jack is very typical of the breed. Curious, active, always looking for something to do, and very playful. He's very, very smart. He can be stubborn and willful, but is always so cute when being that way. His confirmation is good, but whoever docked his tail did it incorrectly. It's too long, and there's one area of about 10 hairs that are longer than the rest. It gives his rear an odd appearance, but a distinctive one. The tail says that he was not bred by a true Schip lover /breeder---who would have seen to it that the docking was done correctly. He's probably a puppy mill dog who was purchased at a pet store...but he is a Schipperke, through and through. I love him dearly.
In all the toughest times of my life, I've had the Lord and at least one fine dog to walk with me. I've never had any serious health issues until this year, 2010. Being diagnosed with both lung and breast cancer was something that totally surprised David and me, and set our world spinning. Jack and Duke are the dogs for this journey. The provide us both with unconditional love --- and exellent antics and entertainment to lift our spirits.
Since coming home from the hospital, Jack has been my shadow. When I'm on the recliner, he'll come up for some cuddle and a nap, or cuddle and then go off to chew a toy. If he's not with me on the chair, when he hears me put the footrest down to get up, he's at my side in a flash. He will then stay with me while I walk to the kitchen or the bathroom... right with me until I'm back in the chair. At night, he sleeps in his own bed next to Duke. If I get up in the night, he gets up with me, follows me, and only goes back to his bed once I am back in mine.
He seems to know that I am not feeling well, and that his presence gives me comfort. He just sits with me and waits. He doesn't push for petting or attention (as he might at other times). He's still and patient as he watches me. He watches and waits. When I'm settled in again, breathing quietly, he'll go off to play or nap...always listening for the sound of me moving, his cue to return.
What a wonderful little fella. He's brought a special happy, loving energy to our home. He's brought joy and playfulness to an older dog who was an "only" dog for years. When I think of the people who had to give him up, I just pray that they know that he is in a home with people who love him and cherish him. Bless them for taking him to a no-kill shelter. I pray that someday their circumstances will allow them the joy of having a dog like Jack again.
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