Seven Years of Good Luck

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I meant for this to be a cute blog with pictures, but as usual, I was disorganized and procrastinated, and now I have no time to do it and then wait to get it approved. It needs to be posted tonight. So please forgive me for making this a discussion instead, lol.

Seven years ago tonight I adopted JD from the shelter where his original owner dumped him when he was 14 months old. I can hardly believe it's been that long. I can hardly believe I got this lucky. It was one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make, and one of the very few that I got absolutely right. He has brought me so much and asked so little in return.

Because of Jackdoodle, I have wonderful friends all over this country who I have never met, lol. I have found my true "soul sister". I have had the opportunity to travel all over the country, and beyond, even to Canada and the UK, without ever leaving home. Because of Jackdoodle, I have read and learned and become educated about so much without ever taking a class or paying tuition. Because of Jackdoodle, I have laughed a little harder and cried a little less. My joys have been multiplied and my sorrows have been cut in half.

Because of Jackdoodle, my world is bigger, my brain is bigger, and my heart is bigger than they ever could have been without him. 

Because of Jackdoodle, more than 600 abandoned doodles have found new homes. Maybe it's 700 by now. 

He is what keeps me going, every day, always. He shows me things in the world around us that I would never have noticed without him. He is my guide, he is my lucky charm. He is my heart dog.

To whatever force in the universe brought him to me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please know that I will forever try to be worthy of him.

To JD, Happy "Gotcha Day", my sweet boy. I love you, and I'll be happy I gotcha for the rest of my life.

(Here's the photo of the big man himself that I meant to post in a blog for his 8th birthday, November 28th, but never got around to it. Unlike JD, I have lots of failings.)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Janie!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Don't really have words to add to this because everyone has said it before me.  As usual lately I'm late to the discussion!  I just want to send both you and JD virtual hugs from me and my boys who, thanks to you, have the best food and advice whenever we need it and thanks to you I am now fully aware of all the pitfalls in the mad world of the big business that is Dog Food.  We can't thank you enough for everything you do here and are honored to have you and JD as friends.  (We are even further away in Ireland!)

Happy Gotcha Day, lovely JD XXX

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nicky, you have no idea how grateful I am to JD for making it possible for me to say "I have a friend in Ireland", lol!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I often say to my friends " I have lots of REAL friends in the US and Canada that I know well and trust but that I have never met"! So ditto back lol

[Rose]

Beautiful! Happy Gotcha Day, Karen and JD!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Rose!

[cheryl & oliver]

Karen, u have said it all!!!...Your love for Jack knows no bounds, and your tribute to him and how he has made your life so wonderful made tears come to my eyes....You are BOTH so special...Happy Got Ya Day to both of you....Oops. I forgot I loved the picture of JD...How about one with You and JD together for posterity, lol....Hugs to both of you !!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks Cheryl, I am going to bribe my DD to take a photo of JD and me together.  I'm cooking tonight, so we'll see....that doesn't always turn out to be a good thing, lol!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Karen, Ask her before you serve her dinner :) LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, Laurie! Sadly, she doesn't drink, or I would offer her an aperitif !

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Oh JD!!!!!!!!!!!!  How much joy you've brought us all - a lot of good has come from your trials and tribulations, buddy!  And you are one lucky dood to have Karen as a mom!

Karen, lovely blog. Happy Gotcha Day!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Allyson!