Jumper...

I wanted to share a wonderful story of Love.  And as we all know where there is Love there is Heartbreak.  Our family has had a very hard week. 

Almost 11 years ago I talked Jimmy into going to "just see" some Greyhounds.  We were NOT going to get one.  And one day when we did I wanted it to be a Blondie..Girl ...and no older then two years old.

As we visited the Greyhounds there was a Boy...Black..six year old male.  He stood next to Emily who was just a baby and she grabbed at him and petted him...and well they fell in love.

A week later Jumper joined our family and filled our hearts with love.  Jumper had been rescued from the track and then was returned from a abusive home.  When we took Jumper in he just seem to smile.  In fact sometimes you would love at him and you would swear he was smiling.  He was amazing with Philip. For those of you who do not know Philip has had 19 brain operations and a stroke.  Jumper was a wonderful friend while Philip was recovering from each of his operations. The biggest issue we had with Jumper was him wanting to lick Philips boo boo's away.

Year after year we were amazed that we still had Jumper.  We then decided we would just go "look" again when they had greyhound day..that is where we found our brindle greyhound..name Rasta.

Every morning I would say..how ya feeling old man?  And I would get a smile. A few years ago Jumper broke his tail.  We have no idea how.  But a amazing vet who works with the Greyhounds at the track said..let me try to save it.  Jumper had two major operations and a short little tail.  He was one tough old man..lol

As most of you know..things have been rough for the past year...everyday Jumper was here.  Every time I would be away dealing with Medical..Jim would laugh because I would always ask about the kids and how is Jumper.

Tuesday Morning Jumper had a stroke.  He was trying to get up and I was helping him..He went limp in my arms. I laid him down to rest and stayed up all night laying with him .  I talked and he listened.  He licked peanut butter and I whispered important things in his ear.

Wednesday I called the track manger and through my tears I told him what had happened and that even with time Jumper was getting worse.  Dennis offered to come help Jim with a stretcher to get Jumper to the Vet.  I told Dennis how scared of the van Jumper was...and he said the track vet was there.  He suggested we see if Dr. George could come to the house. Next thing I know ...The track vet was on his way to see Jumper at our house.  The same very who taken care of Jumper on the track as he ran for victory.  the same vet who never gave up on him even when his tail did not heal and had to go back into surgery.  Dr.  George...gave Jumper is freedom.  Yesterday the kids told their best buddy goodbye...we sent Rasta outside . Jimmy and I held Jumper..I whispered for him to be happy and never forget how much we loved him. Our hearts are broken..and our house is so quite without our sweet friend.
Jimmy and I drove an hour late last night to take Jumper to a lady who does cremations.  And tonight we drove back and have him home.
We promised Jumper the day we adopted him we would take good care of him and never leave him..and we have till the end.

I can not begin to tell you how much it meant to me that the same man who gave us Jumper so many years ago was willing to help Jumper in the end.  I told Dennis ..it was as if it was his last gift to helping Jumper.  Dennis told me that he and Dr George talked and they both said they had never known a Boy Grey to live 18 years...

When we got home last night after leaving Jumper..I had the sweetest email waiting..

Hi Amy,

        I had an opportunity to talk to Dr George today and he said that he was heading to your house.   I am so sorry to hear about Jumper but feel you should have no regrets.   He had a wonderfully long life and it may be a blessing that he went down hill fast so there was not a lingering aliment!

        He is in a better place now and I feel that we will see them all again in the next life and that will surely be "Heaven".

         Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Jumper!

Dennis

So tonight we have our friend back home.  The tears have been non stop.  I feel like I have lost my best friend..somehow he always seemed to care how we were..what we were doing and hopeful we would drop some food.

Please keep the kids in your prayers...there is a lot of hurt in our house right now with Philips medical.  And they are just heartbroken.