Best Medicine-My Dog, Jack!

I remember several years ago when an old fellow told me that if you get into politics and need a friend, "Get a dog!"  When our neighbor came home one day with a young dog that he had found with a piece of rope tied around his neck, I could hardly imagine how much my life would change.  Jack became a part of the family and began an incredible journey.  We named him after our neighbor, Shaun Jack.  He gave us some challenges and we worked through some training issues but he soon became comfortable in his adopted home.

While I have had dogs for most of my life, Jack reconnected me with a dog that I had as a young boy.  When I was about ten I had a dog named Junior and he was my constant companion.  Jack seemed to sense that he was sent to our home for a special purpose.  When I came home from the hospital after my embolism, Jack was my 'therapy' dog.  He was ready for anything.  If I was upstairs, he was there.  If I was in the yard, Jack was by my side.

I am probably too much of an optimist to admit that depression is a pretty common issue after a major health scare.  Facing your own mortality and an uncertain future can work on your mind when you are confined to your home recuperating.  I would admit that there were days when I wondered what the future would bring.

Jack seemed to sense this and became my psychologist.  On days when I just wanted to lay in bed, Jack would wag his tail and bark until I would get his leash.  When I was spending too much time thinking about how bad I had it, Jack would jump on the recliner and curl up at my feet.  He seems to understand the unique job that he has undertaken.

Its hard to put into words what Jack means to me, but I think he knows.