Jasper has been so funny lately. It is true that some days I like him a little bit better than others. There are sometimes that I wish that he was a little bit more independent and would just go sit by the couch and chew on his bone and let me work in peace. But then there are times that he just makes me so happy because he can't stand to be away from us.
To understand his devotion you need to know a little bit about his history before we adopted him. When he was first separated from his litter he was adopted by a family. During that time he was sitting in the bed of a stationary truck. I'm sure he was just your average energetic pup but at some point he evidently tried to jump out of the truck. (Remember that the truck was not moving, I do not blame his first family at all) As a result of that jump, he fell and had an open compound fracture of his right leg near the hip.
Knowing that any treatment would be very expensive this family took him to the vet. They knew that they could not afford to give him the treatment that he required and so they turned him over to the vet's office to 'either put him down or fix him.' It was there choice but the family, no longer able to care for him left him there.
Lucky for us a new vet had just joined the practice and was eager to gain more surgery experience, and this dog did not have owners dictating what procedures could be done based on cost. This vet operated on Jasper's leg, ultimately using rods, wires, screws, and an external fixator to piece it back together. They let Jasper live at the office while he healed and eventually he would take turns going home for the night with the different members of the staff. They all loved him. They trained and socialized him and gave him all the love any dog could every ask for. He loves them as well. To this day, he gets so excited when we pull up to the vet's office and they offer him treats and loves the entire visit.
Anyways, back to our story. Eventually it came time that he was healed enough that they sought a true home for him. Through a series of events he ended up with my brother-in-laws brother. He stayed with D for a few weeks before we learned of him.
Cut from the story, Nathan had always told me that he wanted a pitt-bull. I always said no way. I had heard the stories. No way was I having a dog with that type of reputation. I had never been around a pitt-bull, but I thought I knew enough. That was until I met Jasper. He was only about 9 months old at the time I first saw him at my brother-in-laws house. Still a pup in so many ways, and yet he had been through so much during his short life. He walked and played with a slight limp but was so eager and happy to be around everyone. My conclusions instantly changed. This puppy was so sweet and happy. You couldn't help but be happy when you were with him. I fell in love.
We were able to convince D to sell him to us for a small price and suddenly our little family of just two became three.
It has now been 4 years since we brought Jasper home five days before Christmas and what an adventure it has been. We found out pretty fast that he does have some separation-anxiety because of moving around so much during the first part of his life. But he as learned to trust us and that even when we are gone for an extended period of time, that we always return to home to him.
He love to have he's ears and hind-end scratched, to play with his 'kong' toys, chew on his nylabones, do tricks for treats, and sit on our laps when we let him. He stands up in the window sill and watches the world go by, he loves going out to get the mail, and is always making funny faces. He is gentle with kids and is so excited when anyone comes to visit, because they must be here only to play with him. He now runs and plays with no limp or evidence of his injury. You wouldn't even know except for the small dimple-like scar on his hip.
He truly has brought so much joy and laughter into our home. We love you Jasper.
Happy Tuesday!
