Jasper Lily at 5 weeks

How has it been five weeks already?  I think Jasper Lily has finally unpacked her baggage and feels comfortable and confident that this is her fur-ever home (which of course it is). She seems to have embraced her life here and has her routine (which is clearly important to her) and seems genuinely happy.

I announced her existence last week to my social media world and we were met with such a warm welcome. I suspect the only judgement about it being too soon was my own doing. And while I still feel it’s soon, I believe more and more each day that Shelby sent Jasper too me. Shelby was always such a self-less dog – she loved everyone she met and I know she hoped that for me too. I found a penny this week that I am sure was a sign from Shelby. The very next day, I found a purple sequin – Shelby was definitely letting me know that she approves of Jasper and that she is happy that I have finally shared Jasper with the world.

Jasper is quickly getting more invitations for social gatherings than me! She has so many people who want to meet her and I know she will be great when she meets new people. She still gets a bit skittish in her own home but she warms up quickly. If anything, she is fearful – not aggressive.

Jasper has also worked on, what I call, “channeling her inner Shelby’. There are simply TOO many things that they both do/or have done. For instance – Jasper is also extremely food motivated. Her world revolves around breakfast and dinner (and if she had her way, snacks in between). Thankfully Jasper has gotten better about snatching food off my plate but I still recall the first week or so that she was here that she took an entire burger and finished it in two bites.

Also, on a walk, Jasper seemed interested and then spooked by two ceramic yard art bunnies. It was a total Shelby thing. Shelby used to inch up to yard art and then freak out like it was a ghost.

Last night I took Jasper out for a quick potty and she looked up into the sky. Sometimes I wonder what she sees or hears because it sure isn’t on the spectrum of the rest of the world. Anyway, there was a single streak of cloud in the sky – kind of like when an airplane goes by and leaves a mark. For whatever reason, it spooked her. She kept looking up at the sky and put her tail between her legs. Perhaps that was a sign from Shelby or Shelby’s spirit? I’ve never seen a dog get spooked by clouds in the sky before but then again, nothing really surprises me about Jasper.

She’s getting better walking on the beach. I suspect those ears magnify everything because it’s super windy down by the beach and it’s loud in my normal ears! I can’t even imagine. But honestly, if she doesn’t love the beach ,that is OK. That was definitely mine and Shelby’s thing and so far, Jasper doesn’t seem to be the kind of dog that wants to go down there and just chillax. She’s still got plenty of puppy in her.

One last funny story about  Jasper – I got home from a run, got her dinner in her bowl and hopped in the shower. I guess I didn’t close the container all the way with her food because I got out of the shower and saw her tiny body nose deep in the food can. It’s one of those popcorn tins that is about as tall as her! Food motivated that one. Definitely my shadow in the kitchen.

I feel more content and at peace with having her here. I enjoy her company, a lot. She makes me laugh, a lot. I tell her every day about Shelby and the things Shelby and I did together. I don’t think I am trying to mold her into Shelby (that isn’t possible) but I do think there are enough characteristics that they both share that give me a sense of peace and security. Everywhere I look in this apt, I see my Shelby .. her photos are as large as her life. I miss and grieve for her daily but I also tell her thank you – ten times over – for sending me this little black bundle of joy! Her ears, alone, make me smile more than I have smiled in months!

Ironically, my friends, who knew nothing about Jasper, had noticed a switch in my mood weeks before I announced Jasper. They knew I still missed Shelby but noticed that I had started to “live again”, around the time Jasper came into my life (secretly). Thank you Shelby … I learned to live from you and hopefully I will continue to learn to love from you!

Jasper is smiling in this video. It’s brief but she’s smiling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPODQ4-DbJ8

Those EARS!!! Jasper Lily embracing nature outside our apt.

We need to work on ‘selfies’ – she’s got a choke hold on me.

All four paws in the sand! She’s getting better.

And this is how she sleeps … she needs her babies in the room with her.