My JAY: Memories Of A Loved Pooch

Jay Prakash: Black Standard Labradoodle: 2012 – 2024

It was love at first sight for us humans but not so much for the little fur bundle of black cotton fluff who proceeded to try and escape from eager, loving, excited hugs. 

  Thankfully, within days, that anxious hesitation to enter into an unknown family soon unfurled into unbridled joie de vivre, exploring every nook inside the house and proceeding to stake his claim to the garden, house and our hearts.  That is how my Jay, a standard black labradoodle, started a 12 1/2 years’ journey with us, filling our home with laughter, happiness, joy and comfort.

  (Note:  1) I have a lot to say about my boy and I have a hard time editing myself.  So, for those who love dogs, this post is a breeze to read; for others, well…

2) This post will not touch upon 2024 since I do not want Jay to be defined by the health struggles he faced during this year, and I also do not want to sadden any reader who has dealt with or is right now dealing with their own pooch’s health struggles.)

  Now, where do I begin…ah, yes, the Garden!

  The Garden:  a) That little patch of land was his Kingdom which he protected, very vigorously, from the squirrels, those rascally birdseed raiders, and any big birds – crows, geese, turkey vultures, – that dared to fly low overhead. 

However, he was kind and magnanimous toward the little finches, hummingbirds, dragonflies, never chasing them away.  I often wondered what he thought about them as he gazed in their direction, always keeping a respectful distance as they busily pecked at the birdseeds and drank from the birdbath. 

                         b) Another job that he took very seriously was as a supervisor to his dad, making sure his dad planted each plant just right and no weeds were left behind.  If it wasn’t done to his excellent standard, you can be sure to have found holes dug in an effort to be helpful…he was a very helpful boy.

                         c) Occasionally, in his quest to sniff out anything untoward, he did tend to find himself in a bind. 

When caught red-footed, he’d just trot out of the mess, past us with head held high and, at a safe distance, give us a hearty woof (like we were the naughty ones) followed by the most charming smile with that tongue hanging out sideways!

  Games:  He wasn’t into Fetch, but he loved to play Catch and lead us on a chase.  Did he ever love that chase…and he’d keep that big ol’ fluffy bod just an inch out of our outstretched hands as we played tag!

                 One of my favorite games to play with him was Hide-&-Seek.  I loved listening to the little pitter patter of those paws as they trotted place to place searching for me and I absolutely loved the expression on his face when he found me. His eyes just lit up and so did mine!

                He also loved to sniff out his toys that I would hide for him to seek.  Oh to see that sniffer move!  He was excellent at this.  He would’ve made an awesome drug enforcement canine officer, that pooch o’mine.

  Jay had an innate knack for being able to understand us and also to be able to communicate to us what he needed us to understand.

  As all families living with dogs will attest, sometimes we have to spell out words so that our pooches wouldn’t catch on to what we were saying.  So it was with my Jay.  But he was able to read my face, my body language so well that he would do something just before I asked him to do it.

    Very Expressive:  The 1st example would be the most common one: MAIL!  Man oh man, did that boy of mine let the neighborhood know that the mail was in!  In fact, a few households did check their mailboxes when they heard him at that particular time. 

  –  We had a routine:  Not only would he let us know the mail was here, he would also lead us to the door to make sure we actually got the mail.  If we were slow to come, he would stand and look at us quizzically, wondering why we weren’t coming any faster.  Once the mail was in our hands, he’d sniff it making sure the dear, sweet neighborhood mailman didn’t put in anything nefarious.  Once satisfied, my pooch would just turn and casually walk away, his duty to protect done for the time being.

  –  Sometimes when his ball would beyond his reach, he would call us with a particular bark.  I knew his toy was stuck somewhere and he’d look at me and look at the area where it was and look back again at me.  His “woofs” had variety, gentle – bold, conveying to us happiness, playfulness, warnings of danger, frustration, plea for help, etc.

  – His big brown eyes were just so expressive and gorgeous!  I loved looking at the way his eyebrows danced over that sweet, gentle gaze full of softness.  I loved the way they glided and lifted like surfers on gentle waves.

  –  We knew he wanted to play or go potty when he would come to us, put that big ol’ cotton ball of a head on our lap, gaze at us and then, once he got our attention, walk to the door either with the toy in his mouth or the cute little sniffer pointed at the door leading out into the backyard.

  –  His tail, too, spoke a lot.  Most of the time, it was up, relaxed and confident.  However, there were times when meeting someone new or being put in a strange place, his tail would wag ever so slightly and low, sometimes to the left, sometimes stiff and straight, like a clock.  With familiar folks, it would be a relaxed and happy wag.  His family was often at the receiving end of his windmill wags, right side wags, belly rubs and happy grins – yes, happy grin – which just thrilled us!

  – His body language was very relaxed most of the time, with that little backside wiggling side to side, sometimes all four feet doing happy tippy-taps in sync with the wiggle butt – just the cutest sight ever!  The most enthusiastic wiggle butt would happen when his daddy, his walking buddy, would pick up the leash and go “You want to go walkie-walks, Jay?” or I would tell him “So… (pause & his eyes would brighten) …JJ (very bright, expectant eyes) …daddy, mummy, you (and all hell would break loose!  Couldn’t catch him after that last word cos’ he would be off to do his pre-travel potty in his potty area.).

  Commands:  He was quick to pick up commands.  Ex:  Sit, Stay, Up, Down, Lie, Side (lie on the side), Turn (turn while standing), Back (back up), Off, Come, No, Ok, Leave It, Let’s Go, Get it, Shake, Paws ( to give his paw so I could check his paws or clean them), Butt-butt (he’d obligingly turn his cute little bum to have it cleaned), Poo-poo (he’d wait patiently to have his pee-pee area cleaned). 

  Unhealthy Obsessions:  Begging for potato fries, his mom’s buttermilk cake and chasing squirrels.

  Fear:  Fireworks!  Every year, when 4th of July or New Year’s Eve came around, windows and curtains were closed, and I would lie beside him reading a book as Jim Reeves’ soothing voice crooned in the background.  That seemed to calm him, and he soon settled down. 

  Car Rides, Travel:  As long as his family was with him, he loved to go places.  Being a California boy, we took him often to the beaches, parks and mountains. 

  

After we learnt that we might, in a matter of months, have to say goodbye to him, we took him to some of his nearby favorite places.  As long as he was able and willing to get into the car, we took him places while I sat at the back next to him.  He certainly enjoyed having mum’s full attention on the car rides.

  Emotional Support:  The most important impact that he could’ve ever had in our lives was providing us with emotional support.  He might not have been able to speak words but he brought so much comfort to each member, loving us through life’s many challenges. He was our cheerleader and the quiet, gentle presence of unconditional love.

  My Heart:  Jay was mummy’s boy and he had me wrapped around those little paws.  During a dark period of my life, he never left my side – not for walks nor for treats.  Sometimes I’d grieve alone, hoping to not bother anyone, but he (from another room) would sense the sadness and be by my side, his head on my chest or his paw on my foot as he lay beside me.  He was my greatest love I was so blessed to find, to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with.

  – He was my protector.  He trusted me implicitly and I him.  He was such a brave boy.  In spite of being an anxious dog, he would always – from the time he was a pup – try to protect me from the scary shadows that swayed under the night sky or from the sounds of rustling that came from within the surrounding shrubs.  He’d make sure I was behind him and I would try to protect him by trying to get in front of him.  It was quite funny because, by the time the two of us got tired of jostling each other to get the other behind, we’d find ourselves in the middle of the backyard, in the middle of the night, exposed to whatever danger (imaginary/real) lay hidden.

  – He loved the times, especially during the final months, when his family took turns lying on the floor next to him, chatting to him and gently stroking his frail body, his tongue happily lolling out the side of his mouth.

  – As long as he was with his mum, he was relaxed, and the feeling was mutual.

 

  General:   Though very sweet, he was particular with who he would let enter his friend-orbit.  He was picky and intimidating to some while to others, who were privileged to be accepted into his inner circle, he was the biggest love bug, often being quite a nuisance trying to get as many pets, cuddles and belly rubs that he could from his new and old friends.

  Farts:  On a lighter note:  My boy – now, I’m not being biased here – my boy had the cutest fart – short, soft puff of air that sounded like a delicate “pooff”.  But occasionally, he’d let a silent one rip and OMG!!!  Just as in humans, the silent ones were the deadliest – stinky, I tell you – that only a mother wouldn’t mind.

LEGACY: Our Jay showed us kindness, loyalty and resilience. He left behind only good memories – what a wonderful gift to his family. He was, is and always will be a blessing to us.

  My Jay wasn’t a “perfect” pooch, but he was fun, he was loving, he was sensitive, and he was perfect for me.  He gave me strength when no human could.  He protected me when no human could.  My heart, my soul, my being felt safe with him.  He made me happy and feel loved.  He was my lifeline to a kinder, compassionate world.

Some Random Photos:

Special shout-out to:

MOLLY: As part of getting a Trust ironed out, we were brainstorming on how to proceed with making sure that Jay would be taken care of if anything ever happened to his human family. When it came to Jay, his family knew that only the most trustworthy human would do, one we knew who was not only compassionate towards non-humans but would also put his best interest at the forefront and not take advantage of the situation.  So it was, that the nearest such human we could find turned out to be one of our neighbors. We asked her, she said YES!  What a generous, un-selfish and goodhearted gesture!  Molly, THANK YOU for being kind and willing to step up if Jay ever needed you to.  And Thank You to your family too.  Because of you, we were able to travel in peace, go places and generally live our lives without the stress of wondering what would happen to our boy if, heaven forbid, anything ever happened to us.  What a priceless gift you gave your neighbors – that peace of mind!

Jay’s Vet, Dr. Amanda Wang and the whole team at the Warm Springs Pet Hospital. Jay was very fortunate to have found Dr. Wang who treated him and us with kindness, understanding and empathy. She always found time, even if she didn’t have any to spare, to make a call so she could answer any questions or concerns we may have. The team, too, were caring, competent and always, unfailingly, kind (I know I keep using “kind” – because it’s true & a big deal 🙂 .

Dr. Karen Vine – I can’t believe how fortunate my family was to have had her by our side as we said “till we meet again” to our boy. She was so compassionate, patient and respectful. There’s a saying that there are angels among us – she’s one of them and we were blessed to have had her by our side on that most difficult day.

ONTO MANY MORE ADVENTURES:

Once in a lifetime a soul comes along, touches your heart and lights up your life like no other can. Jay was my spirit dog, my heart dog.

---

Dear Reader,

If you’ve made it to the end of this post, thank you. You now have an inkling of what a character Jay was. There’s so much more to share but I think I’ve crammed enough info into this one post.

If you have/had a special non-human loved one in your life, my family & I would love to see photos and/or thoughts on them in the comments section. Please keep the comments family friendly. 🙂

_________________________________________________________________________