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.)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I can't even imagine where we all would find the information we get here onDK because of JD. If he were any other breed,, most of us would never have learned all we have from you as you'd both be on a different website, if at all.
I always say DK has made me a much better dog owner and given me and so many others permission to be those "crazy dog people" without feeling criticized because we are all HDA! But most, probably 75% of that has come from you and JD and your so willingly sharing your knowledge with is! Thank you JD for finding Karen! Happy Gotcha Day!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Sue, and Jackdoodle wants to say Thank You for helping him get his wonderful new bed, too!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Okay, this choked me up big time!  And to it I would like to mention all the free legal advice that JD dispenses to his doodle comrades whenever and where ever his is needed without so much as a grumble or growl! LOL!

This is beautiful Karen and you two are certainly a match made in heaven.  We are so blessed to have you guys here on DK. Thanks to both of you for all you do!

 And I gotta say I get a little giggle each time I see a picture of JD with a "tennis ball shaped" toy as I believe you called them once!  Sweet.  Congrats on your 7 wonderful years together and may you have many, many more.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Ricki! I forgot that I had wanted to toast JD with "here's to the next seven", so thank you for saying it for me! :)

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Happy Gotcha Day to you and Jack...We are all so glad and fortunate that you have found each other!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Jill!

[Kyoko]

Happy Gotcha Day, JD!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Kyoko!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY, JACK. THIS WONDERFUL PICTURE OF YOU LET'S US SEE WHAT A BIG DOG YOU ARE.  WE ARE ALL ALSO GLAD YOU HAVE JACK.  HE MAY BE YOUR HEART DOG, BUT YOU ARE HIS HEART OWNER.  DON'T FORGET THAT!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Nancy!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I'm so glad that I got on DK tonight! I would have absolutely hated to have missed the sweetest "gotcha" post ever written! I have read what others have written and there's not much more that I can say, so I will keep it simple. I love you and Jack and am so thankful for DK for allowing our paths to cross. I can't look at Flash and not think of you. Never. Ever.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Doris, I can't think of anything nicer than to be associated with sweet adorable Flash! We love you, too!