Our wonderful, long-eared, faithful springer spaniel was put to sleep yesterday. She lived for 15 years as the protector and caretaker of our family. I had always told myself I would never cry for a dog but she was the most faithful, gentle dog I have ever known. She would go to the end of the world for any one of us. In her early years she enjoyed chasing balls to the point she was knocked senseless once when she got too close to the golf club that was about to hit the golf ball. She loved any kind of a ball. When kids would lose their baseballs or basketballs over the fence, they were claimed by her and almost instantly shredded to the dismay of the kids. She used to like to shred everything in her path even the wiring on a couple of trailers parked in the backyard. She used to be a great jumper too and could scale a 6 foot fence with ease but she never took off like some of our dogs would, she loved us and wanted to remain with us. When Jamie had her wedding reception in our backyard, Jazz was sent to the neighbor's backyard for the evening but she managed to escape and joined the party, promptly getting tied to a tree. I think she jumped the fence and wanted to see what all of the fuss at the house was all about. She was also better housetrained than our small inside dogs and she knew more tricks. She learned at an early age how to open the door and get outside, how to twirl, and bark, and roll over, among other tricks. She was always game for anything. She used to love to go on walks but she always wanted to lead. I could never get her to stay at my side even though at one time I tried for weeks to teach her. In her later years we would let her roam down our hillside sniffing for deer and rabbits. She would lay on our front porch and sleep all day long. Not much would bother her because her sight and hearing were limited but when the deer came out at night she would sense them and scare them off. Oh, how I miss her. On Mother's Day, the day before she died, we had her out in the yard with all of us. It was such a beautiful day and she stayed by my side. Jamie even commented that Jazz must really love me because she wouldn't leave me. She must have known her time was limited. The next morning when I checked on her I knew it was time for her to go. She looked like she had had a stroke or something. This past year we had often wondered how much time she had left. I am glad she went on a beautiful spring day and not in the cold of winter or in the heat of summer. She was part of our family and she taught us how to love unconditionally. Jazz you will always be my favorite dog. I love you!
