Bringing Home Jack!

[Jennifer and Jack]

This past week I have proved to be stable enough to stay out of the hospital, at least for now, hopefully for a good long while. I was discharged on Wed but I kept Jack at my mom's house basically because she is a few hours a way each trip and my going home was contingent on me not spiking a fever. So far I have not spiked and I am doing quite well... ( Thank you God Please keep me doing well)

On Monday I am supposed to go to my moms and spend a few days and then I will be coming home. To stay alone with Jack..( and the nurses and nursing assistants that will come and go)

I have given so much thought about Jack. I love him so much and I like to believe that I love him unselfishly so that I would put his needs before my own.... otherwise I would have insisted he come home as soon as I was discharged from the hospital.

I have talked to my mom about keeping Jack... so that Jack and Molly can stay together. They are very attached to each other though Jack sleeps with my mom and Molly sleeps in her crate...They have such a good consistent routine going. Jack is eating and pooping great, going for walks and playing well. My mom loves him so much..I listen to her talk to him while I am on the phone and tears sting my eyes, she just loves him and adores him.. He is such a little charmer with his little kisses he gives and his pats with his paw. He is just so sweet.  I want him to be happy and in a stable home. Not where his life is always turned upside down.

My mom does not want to keep Jack, she refuses because she knows how much I love him and she thinks that I won't fight as hard if I don't have him here in my face reminding me that he needs me.

That isn't true..but try telling a stubborn women something.... I would know because I am one too.

Jack has been with my mom 10 weeks now..and during those 10 weeks, he has only been with me one night and during that night, the only way I got Jack to settle was to take Molly mat from her crate and put it on my bed, then he came and snuggled with me and stayed on the mat.

The next day I was admitted to the hospital and when he saw my mom again, he went ballistic and licked me like crazy.. He was so happy to be back with my mom.

My mom can not come back home with me and she can't just keep keeping Jack. So Monday, I will go to my moms for two nights. I can't be away longer then that because of doctors appointments and then Jack and I will come home.

Do you have any advice on what I can do to make his transition smoother and less troublesome to him? I would do anything for him, I adore him with my entire being. He knows my house obviously... He has all his toys and his things here. What should I do when I am at my moms, I know he will want to sleep with my mom, He always does no matter where we are... Should I let him or make him sleep with me?

How about once I bring him home? What can I do to make him feel safe and secure. I am pretty stable right now, I so hope I stay that way....

I am excited and I miss him horribly. I can't wait to have Mr Personality back in my arms.. Back to where it is just him and I.... I just want to do it the best possible way and I don't have experience with this.

There isn't any new medical equipment or anything that he will deal with, not that it bothered him before.....it is just readjusting back to not having Molly and my mom.. Also poor Molly, She has been with Jack literally almost the entire time my mom has had her... How do we help her adjust?

So many questions..... Thanks

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad you are doing well. I would let Jack sleep with your Mom til you come home. The dogs will adjust, just give them time. If you tire Jack out at your house and keep him busy it should help.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks! I have new busy toys for him to play with....I will walk him and have him walked....play fetch....etc! I feel positive about the experience so that should help to. He won't pick up on stress...I want to celebrate so maybe he will sense it too!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I think the big thing for Jack is having another doodle--he loves both you and your mom, I am sure, but having a second dog there makes it super great for him! But that can not be, so he will adjust to being the only dog in the house and then, once in a while he will be lucky enough to have a buddy to visit! That makes it all the more special!

In the meantime, the fact that you are feeling better and are ready to play and celebrate will make the transition much smoother for him.

[Ginny Nightingale]

PS Stop worrying and enjoy your new found freedom!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Who me worry? Lol thanks!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Can you bring a rug that Molly has been sleeping on so jack has a comforting smell.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Great Idea!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

God bless you both, your Mom and Molly too. You are good people.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jennifer - for the short run - I have no answers but when I think longer term I guess I would ask you - would you consider living closer to your mom or even with your mom?  I have no clue if your employment and medical needs could be met where your mother is living but it is something to consider.  If these medical issues are an on going situation - why not be closer to those that love and can help lift you up?  Plus you could still be Jack's main care giver but he would always have your Mom and Molly as his support system for those times when you just couldn't be there.  Just a thought.  Hugs and hope all goes well.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jane....that was the plan for my mom and I to,live close together....that is what I wanted....not to live with me but to be a reasonable distance drive...

I live in Columbia SC which is dead smack in the middle of the state.....my mom didnt want to move here and I don't blame her. While she did leave Fla..she went to Hilton Head which is awesome there. She lives in a community called Sun City..it is a 55 and up community. Seriously I kid you not, it is an adult Disney World and my mom is so happy, she has an a axing social life, gets to,drive a golf cart, line dancing, dog lparks, pools well you get the idea,


I would leave Columbia in one second....I don't like even living here....I live in a. Rand new development and they ate still building new homes in here so I my house won't sell! I tried several times....

My moms house is too small for two people to,live and still have any space..so moving in with her would cramp her style and I wouldn't like it either unless I had to.

When I purchased my home, I was coming from NJ so I had a lot of money to put down...my mortgage with taxes and homeowners insurance is so so low that I could not rent a one bedroom for what I have in a three bedroom house...so I am stuck here for now!!!

I even thought of renting out my house and renting something close to my moms but it is too expensive...probably way more info then you needed LOL

So for now we are a few hours apart. My mom can't drive at night and is 70 she has taken care of me a long time a d I want her to enjoy her life

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm glad that Jack will be coming back home and you will be together again.  I really don't think there's anything to worry about....dogs are pretty flexible.  He knows you and your home, and remember he doesn't understand that it has been 10 weeks.  If you act like everything is totally normal, he'll believe that and feel comfortable.  If you're worried and thinking that he's missing your Mom and Molly, he'll pick up on that too.  Just be happy that things are going well....he'll understand that.  He's not worried about last month or last week or what's going to happen tomorrow....he's just thinking about being home with you now.