JB'S THE JAZZ SINGER, a.k.a. NEIL, born 12/9/97. A litter brother to my fine show dog, FRED. NEIL didn't grow up to a show dog, so he was put up for adoption, with hopes he would become a great family member for someone. A friend and protector. by June, a young couple came to meet NEIL, and decided to take him home. After only one week, this couple decided that NEIL, at 6 months old, was too much trouble, and he was returned to me.
NEIL was very dejected. Although back with 4 of his brothers, and all the love I could give, he just didn't understand why. What had he done to be summarily dismissed as he was? But this story does not end with a sad puppy.
A few weeks ago, I got word a local retirement facility was looking for a pet. NEIL, who had spent the better part of his 14 months secluded in a kennel, getting to run with the boys 3 times a day, but not the spoiled show dog as his brother, sister, and mother were. I was not sure how he would react to being indoors, and especially around wheelchairs, and walkers. So, for the next few days, I brought NEIL to my office with me to see how he might react. New sounds, strange people coming and going, etc. He handled that very well, and my next hurdle would be to convince the directors at the facility that his size would be an asset to the elders who only had to put out a hand to get a kiss.
I don't know how nervous NEIL was, but I know I was very nervous at that first introduction. We had to enter the facility, meet some of the residents, enter the rooms. What might he do? Would he be frightned? Would he be so excited he might hurt someone? After 2 hours, that first Saturday morning, even though NEIL was on a leash all the while, he was very well behaved. The real test would come on Monday, when I would drop NEIL off, and he would not only be without me, but off a leash, and spend half a day. I don't mind telling you, that 5 hours at my office were sure tense ones. I was sure with every ring of the phone, it would be Jeanine at the facility telling me NEIL was horrible, and to pick him up, NOW!
I arrived during my lunch hour to pick up NEIL after his "trial visit", and was a little surprised to find him stretched out sleeping by Jeanine's desk. He didn't even wake up! I guess he didn't miss me much. Jeanine said he was good as gold all morning, and that he must be smart, because when he encountered a situation he only needed to be told once, and he remembered.
We will have a few more half days before he makes SIERRA SUNRISE INN his permanant home. We want the transition to be a smooth one. As I could not stand to have his heart broken again.
Good luck, NEIL. I will always love you.
Post Script to NEIL'S story: NEIL is in "Doggy Heaven" He doesn't live full time at the retirement home, but goes home to live with the maintenance man, goes to the "home" several days a week, and on weekends he goes fishing, boating, hiking, and is in LOVE with his new "Dad".
