Special Companions

The quality of the relationship between a pet ownerto his nose, the rest of him was white. I asked my
and his/her pets is directly related to how much timeson what he found so attractive about this pup and
is spent with the pet, training the pet and buildinghe said it was his eyebrows.... he just liked the way
trust. Well now, that's pretty true of humanhis eyes looked. Well... that was that, he'd made his
relationships also, isn't it? Unfortunately humanchoice. Although pure-bred, these pups didn't come
relationships are not as simplistic and can be quitewith papers which brought the price down to a
disappointing through no fault of our own. No, themanageable amount. Normally a pure-bred JR will cost
relationship between pet owners and their pets is aupwards of $500.00, but this breeder was selling
world apart from human relationships. The onlymales for $300.00 and females for $350.00. I needed
exception to that is that pets are often like childrena few weeks to get that amount of money
and I believe we view them as such because we aretogether and so I had the breeder mark his choice
their caretakers, they give us love and affection inand told her that I would pick up the pup in about
return for our caring for them. Unlike children though,2-3 weeks.It was about 10 days before Christmas
our pets will never outgrow their need for the carewhen I went to pick up the puppy. I didn't let my
we provide to them, at least not in the physicalson know that's what I was doing, I wanted to be
sense, as children do.There have been many claimsable to surprise him just a little. My son was sleeping
by health care providers that having a pet can havewhen I got home, he slept a lot due to the radiation
a very positive influence on our health. They provide& chemo that he was taking. I laid the pup next to
companionship for the lonely, they provide us with ahim on the bed and woke him up. Needless to say,
reason to exercise (walking the dog), they have ahe was all smiles, he named the pup Chewy, after
calming effect upon us when we pet and play withChewbacca from Star Wars, my son was a big Star
them, thereby reducing stress levels which in turnWars fan. To see a big husky guy like my son melt
reduces blood pressure and other bodily indicators ofover a little puppy is a precious site. Although my son
stress. They give so much and require so little inreally enjoyed playing with the puppy now and then,
return, it's almost hard to understand why everyonemost of the time he was just too tired and little by
doesn't own a pet.Let me share a personallittle Chewy turned to myself and my husband for
experience that I believe will show a prime exampleattention. He was a smart little thing and ornery as
of how a pet can make a difference in one's life. Ifwell, both my husband and I couldn't help bonding
you've read other articles written by me, you'll knowwith him and making him our baby. We took him with
that my 24 year old son suffered with brain cancerus everywhere, and everywhere we'd go people
until his death early this summer. Last fall he began towould oooh and ahhh over him, he was definitely a
talk about wishing he could have a Jack Russellpeople-magnet. He got smarter all the time, we were
Terrier, he said the reason he wanted one waseven able to teach him how to shut the door when
because they are such smart animals. His friend hadhe came in from outside (we'd let him out and just
one and he just admired it so much. So of course, Ibarely close the door so that he could push it open),
went in search of a Jack Russell Terrier for him as ahe'd come in and then jump against the door until it
Christmas present. My husband wasn't real keen onclosed, it was soooooo cute! Every time Chewy
the idea at all and I basically had to go against hislearned something new, my husband would beam
wishes to get the dog. I did some research to findwith pride (me too:). He'd even taken to calling him
out more about the breed, it was said that this"the boy" or "my boy". Who would have thought
breed is particularly energetic and require a lot ofthat a little dog could bring so much joy into a
playtime and exercise. Many times people would gethousehold that had been stricken with sorrow at the
a Jack Russell Terrier and then abandon it becauseprospect of losing a son in the prime of his life. My
they didn't have the time or patience for it'sson enjoyed the stories we told about Chewy's
requirements. Well, there was always someoneantics when we'd take him out with us, or when
home, so I knew the dog wouldn't be neglected. IChewy would show off a new trick he learned.I think
also knew, that even though my son very muchGod had a two-fold plan in bringing Chewy and us
wanted the dog, that he would not have the energytogether. Plan 1 was to bring some joy into my son's
to expend on exercising the dog and that task wouldlife and 2, he was giving my husband and I something
fall on me and my husband. I'd spoken to my son'sto ease the emptiness that was left when my son
friend and asked where he had gotten his JR, he putpassed away. His plan was such a blessing. Chewy
me in touch with his cousin who breeds them.can never replace my son, but there's something
Fortunately, her female had just had a litter of pupsabout his character that is so familiar. No, I do not
a month prior to my inquiry and they were almostbelieve that my son's spirit reside in the dog. As I
ready to leave mom. I called and talked to her andsaid before, to my husband and I, Chewy is very
voiced some of my concerns about the breed. Shemuch like a child and so it's not unusual that we
understood my concern and said that she bred herwould associate some of the corny things he does
JR's to be much more calm than most, and that theywith those of a real child. The one thing that he and
make wonderful pets. I would have loved to make itmy son have in common is that they both have the
a surprise, but it was important that my son be ableability to make us laugh. My son was a real cut up
to choose the pup that he wanted, so I took himmost of the time, he loved to make people laugh and
with me when I went to view the pups.Who canso does Chewy. They say that laughter is the best
resist a puppy? You've got to be incredibly hardmedicine, don't they?When I look at the impact that
hearted to not respond positively to a cute littlea little dog has had on me and at a very difficult time
puppy that is so full of life and playfulness. The entirein my life, it's easy to see what a difference a pet
litter was adorable! We picked each one up and heldcan make. Not everyone is cut out to be a pet
them and played with them. I was stricken almostowner, but for those who are lonely or suffering
instantly by the runt of the litter which was a little girlsome kind of loss, it could be just the thing they
who was all white except for a brown patch aroundneed to get them over the hump.-------Sharon B is a
her right eye and ear.... kinda put you in mind of theregistered nurse and internet developer. She
RCA dog. My son was attracted to a totally differentcontributes to One of the newest ventures Sharon is
pup, the pup he wanted was a male and had astarting is selling products on ebay. She started this
mostly brown and black face and ears, there was abusiness from the information she received at now
white stripe that came down the center of his facehas a sister!