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, Judy!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Aww, happy Gotcha Day, JD!  What a handsome boy!!! I love the picture of him. This was truly meant to be and the right person met the right dog. And thanks to both of you, we are better off with our doods. Who else would be willing to answer endless questions about poop if not Karen? Seriously, both of you are amazing! Thank you from the bottom of my (and my doodles') heart. <3

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Jarka! Kiss those big black noses for me!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Karen, no need for a blog with cute pictures...this is such a beautiful heart song, I feel like you and JD should be a book.

I really believe that when you listen with your heart and when you truly learn to "see," you find an amazing truth: that people and animals come into your life for a reason.  Happy Gotcha Anniversary to two souls with that special bond :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ah Cheryl, thank you for saying it better than I did.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Congratulations to both of you. Give beautiful gorgeous wonderful JD a big kiss from me!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'll be glad to, Camilla! LOL

[Leslie and Halas]

Happy Gotcha Day!!! All of us here have benefitted as a result of you having JD. And I'm happy to be considered among your friends.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Leslie, I'm thrilled to have you for a friend. How often do I find someone who is smart and funny and also willing to play fetch with my dog, take pictures of him, and drink wine with me in the middle of a weekday afternoon? LOL

[Leslie and Halas]

JD gives me my big dog fix, so I love playing catch with him.  And, to be clear, those are Fridays, not just ordinary weekdays.  I only drink on ordinary weekday afternoons when I'm on vacation. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, Leslie, I didn't mean to create the impression that you are drinking while you're working on people's taxes! That would definitely be bad for business! 

[BG and Gavin]

JD is beautiful inside and out and so is his mom who has helped so many beings, both Canine and Human.  We love you Jack and Karen!