Jasper Lily at Four Months

Has it only been four months since Jasper Lily found her fur-ever home with me? It feels like she’s been with me MUCH longer but in reality, she’s only been a fixture in my day to day life for about four months.

And what an interesting four months it has been. Jasper continues to come out of her little shell and I think she is realizing (I hope) that my home is her home. She definitely makes herself at home there.

In the past month, Jasper has dealt with my increased work schedule (as in longer days at home without her madre), a mini spa vacation (aka boarding at the vet) and more trips to the dog park. She loves the dog park. Hates riding in the car to get there. She always rides on the floor (but as the vet told me when he saw her out there, it’s fine and she feels safe) but she always looks/acts like it’s a personal assault on her. I still need to look into getting her a cap to shield her vision.

She makes friends easily at the dog park – she is pretty fearless, provided we are in the small dog park with dogs about her size. She will, still, throw punches and push other dogs out of the way to get the tossed ball but she won’t always bring the ball back. I know it’s because the park is mostly bark and she doesn’t like that stuff in her mouth. But she runs and is one of the fastest dogs there. She can usually get to the ball faster than the other dogs. This past weekend, she took to digging (manically) at a hole in the park. And then would dash off like a bat out of hell. It was literally the most hilarious thing I have seen in a really long time. And pure joy for Jasper. I love to see her happy.

At home, she is pretty routine oriented. We get up (on average) between 5/5:30 and she hits the ground running. She gets a quick lap around the block and then I’ll go workout and then come back for breakfast time for her. She’d had some trouble with bile vomiting so we discovered we need to time her meals closer together so her belly doesn’t get too empty. Then it’s play, play, play while I get ready for work. My apt looks like a build a bear store exploded every single morning. Thank GOD for the 2 for $5 at Petco. She goes through toys quickly! And her bones. And I love to watch her carry her babies across the room. She doesn’t hoard them as much as she did in the beginning since I think she’s accepted these are HER toys and hers alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is usually the look I get right before I leave for work. Breaks my heart but she enjoys her days at home (I think). She’s always happy to see me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She did great at the vet but she scratched her little nose in one of the cages and I am anxious for her black to grow/ come back on her face. They said she was very friendly yet a bit timid (unlike Shelby who always had a blast there) but overall, no main issues. They all spoke to her in Spanish so I am sure she was in heaven.

She still continues to have her random ‘low-growl’ moments. Out of the blue, she will start to growl and signal she is uncomfortable with something. I have no clue what she sees or hears (I have created a new hashtag for her #jasperseesdeadpeople). It is truly bizarre and most often happens in the middle of the night. Yesterday and this morning I woke up and turned over and saw her sitting – literally right next to me – staring at me. It’s like living with Linda Blair from the Exorcist. I swear, if she starts spinning her head or vomiting green, back to Mexico she goes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She wasn’t thrilled when I packed but I am hopeful that I can bring her home with me at Thanksgiving. She does fit in a pet approved suitcase and it’s much better than this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all… it’s been a good four months getting to know each other. Jasper still isn’t 100% connected to me or my moods and that is OK. I do appreciate and respect her independence. We are about to embark on my least favorite time of year – the holidays. I’ve never been much for holidays and pretty much the highlight was taking Shelby for her Santa photos. I will probably do that for Jasper but I don’t know if we will go all out. Shelby was a natural with the camera and looked great in all the holiday attire. Jasper isn’t much for dressing up; not that she won’t do it BUT that I don’t have as much joy doing it to her. Although, this is pretty cute/funny .. what dog in LA doesn’t need a winter cap?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jasper is definitely a much different dog than Shelby … in good ways and bad ones. She does not listen – I swear, I think she likes to pretend she doesn’t hear me (how can she not w/those ears) or understand me (English isn’t her first language) but I have to pick her up to move her sometimes. For 19 pounds she is incredibly strong. She isn’t nearly as affectionate as Shelby was but perhaps I don’t show her enough affection either. I tell her daily that I love her (in English and Spanish) and that she is safe w/me. I try and talk to her a lot but she does do her own thing. But come bedtime, for me, even if she has already put herself to bed, I can’t slip into the room w/out her waking up and reaching up to be lifted up to my bed with me. Jasper Lily .. you are a very good dog and I am very glad that I have you in my life. You have brought smiles back to my world. I know Shelby watches over us and keeps us safe … I did miss you (which surprised me a bit) while I was away. And I was happy to bring you home. But it was different. Shelby was always SO happy to come home and Jasper seemed indifferent. I still maintain that she has a few walls of her own up as someone suggested – as a street dog, she was probably really good at being emotionally reserved. We are finding our way … to many more months!