Happy 6th Birthday Jack!!!!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Dear Jack

This past year of your life was your mom's best personal victory ever… For anyone interested you can read more story of how I went from Hospice to much better health and watch the news reports here.  

http://www.bidmc.org/News/Around-BIDMC/2015/February/Champy-Tracheo...;

I spent the most time away from you this year than I have ever spent in our whole lives together.  You were just about living with your grammie and I was just about living in the ICU… MY how things have changed .

Since I came home in November all except for my follow up visits in Boston, we have been stuck together like glue.  We walk together every day… We go to fun new places, explore hiking trails, new stores.  We are back in life again as a team.. Walking the neighborhood, talking with the friends, meeting new dogs.  We got our groove back little man.

This year for your birthday, I don't know how you knew, but you knew you truly knew that today was going to be special.  For some reason, you woke me up very early jumping all over me, then running to a guest room and jumping on Grammie, then to the next guest room and jumping on your Uncle…. You didn't let any of us sleep which isn't like you…….

We started the day off with scrambled eggs for you and coffee for mommy, We only had two eggs in the house left and Grammie wouldn't let Uncle Chris eat them.. they were for you and Molly.

For lunch you had some yummy treats and some regular food as to not make your tummy too sick….   you had so many treats today, we skipped the dinner I had planned for you of Salmon and Sweet potatoes and went straight to your home made Peanut butter pie mommy made you.

I know today wasn't much different than most of the days you have been having because I sing to you every single day… but Not Happy Birthday… You got extra walks today, but other than that, you are so deeply loved, it was the same, lots of belly rubs, toy playing , long walks where you could stop and pee mail and smell wherever you wanted.   You and Molly and I played and played today.. You snuggled with Grammie and Uncle Chris….  

To be able to care for you myself now sweet baby, in the way I want to means the world to me, It means I am on the computer less and in you in my arms more… That is the way I wanted it…. 

Six years old.. How did my little puppy turn six???  You have stuck with me, licked more tears from my face, put your head on my shoulder, laid across my lap and been at my feet no matter how sick I was…. no matter how much I left you, you just loved me.

Your favorite food is still the same Peanut butter, peanut butter and you love graham crackers..  You are a great health weight of 16.5 pounds or so. You are eating Accana and you will only eat Stella and Chewy Freeze dried food, not Orijen, Don't ask me why.. 

HEre is some pictures from Today my love… I am so grateful to share this journey with you and pray that you are always pain free, healthy and happy.   You are my sunshine, my joy and you have brought so many amazing people into my life, you have taught me passion as I never knew could exist for animal rights….. You taught me so much.

So tomorrow I may not sing happy birthday to you, but I will continue to sing to you, rub your belly, take you for walks and on adventures.. My hope this year is to spend less time on the computer and more time actually being with you.

Here's to a long and healthy life, I love you little boy for making me a doggie mom.

http://www.bidmc.org/News/Around-BIDMC/2015/February/Champy-Tracheo...

[Jennifer and Jack]

THanks.. Laurie, as you can see, your blanket has become quite famous… :)    Thank you for the kind words..

Love Jack and His Mommy

[Diane and Alma]

Happy birthday to Jack.  I'm so glad you are doing well after all you've been through.  You both deserve to celebrate!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Happy Birthday, Jack! Glad you are feeling better, Jen.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Haven't been on DK for a bit. Sorry to miss the opportunity to express my best wishes for a great birthday. I know your mom will make the whole year special, Jack! 

[Becka]

Love that picture of Jack and his peanut-butter pie! Happy birthday, Jack--you're a very special little guy!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Happy Birthday Jack!!!!!!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you…We are super grateful that I am able to breathe easier, I still have the lung problems but that are nothing like suffocating on a daily basis.  The best part of the story for me, other than the obvious is that by being so public with my story, many other people who were without proper diagnoses and without hope for any relief are now with appointments to see my surgeons in Boston, THat to me is the greatest gift ever…. To hear families who were as desperate as I was, finally have hope…  They will be doing a follow up news story on some of the people who are being helped by my story going public, as well as one of me when I go back.    THings are not perfect, my right side of my airways is still 95 percent collapsed but that 5 percent open sure makes a big difference…   and my lungs have severe collapse in them… but you have no idea how I will never take being able to breathe off of life support for granted, Being on a vent for over a year was torture for a girl like me.

Thanks again

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Happy Birthday you sweet boy!  Jennifer, I went back and read your story again and I am so happy for you and Jack and your family.  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Happy Birthday sweet boy!  Sounds like you had a great day with your mom :)  Pretty special huh!