We lost a good friend recently. After an unexpected and mercifully short illness, Jasper - our beloved boy - left us on December 28, 2006. He was 11 years old. As you may know, this was the day after our daughter, Tessa, was born. His departure is heartbreaking to Sarah and me but I believe Jasper's last great gift to the people he loved was to leave us at moment when distractions are many.
He was, quite simply, the best dog I ever had the pleasure to know. Loving, obedient, tolerant of children, trustworthy and handsome - everything you'd want in a dog, Jasper had in spades. If you knew him, then you know why we loved him.
Reminders of his time with us are everywhere. And even though it's a goddamned hard thing to say goodbye, the days I spent with him make up for heartache I feel now.
Safe trip, buddy.
Jasper
Every ball was a friend
Charlie and Jasper
Happiness
6 comments:
Jasper had an extraordinary singing voice. Though not classically trained, he was fluent in both the German and Italian schools as well as nineteenth century cantorial music, as befitted his heritage. His expressive spinto/lirico tenor, when accompanied by a police or, even better, the wail of an ambulance siren, was a hallmark of musical experience. The world has not only mourns the loss of a great dog, but an incredible talent.
Oh we loved Jasper too! I remember his first neighborhood with his dog family in Charleston. Through the years he was such a constant for you Sarah, but now you have such a wonderful family to love.
I am so glad that I had the chance to see him this past fall, he was full of life and really made an impression on Sophia and Julia.
He'll always be in your hearts!
Love Nicole
"...and Jasper, who brings us slobbery balls..."
Here's to you, friend.
Oh dear. Poor, loving Jasper. Poor, dear, treasured love. May he go where there's always a ball at the ready.
I will remember his unmitigated joy at chasing anything thrown...a ball, a stick, even a pine cone. When your arm was ready to drop from its socket, he would bound up, drop whatever it was at your feet, and look up with such hope and anticipation...how could anyone say no to that face?
And he was such a statesman; friendly to old ladies, a kisser of babies, and refusing to stoop to the pettiness of cranky small dogs.
Our hearts go out to you.
Marly & Mike
Jasper was a great dog! He visited me in Nashville with Sarah and Allyn on their move from Charleston to San Francisco. He was a much nicer guest than Silver was a host. I am so glad that I knew him and wish that I had been able to spend more time with him. I know he has a left a big hole in your hearts. I have a quote that seems to say it all:
"On reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs." -Paul Ferser
I am so sorry for your family's loss.
Love, Melissa
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