Jasper Lily’s Adopteversary!
One year ago – today – June 16 – I drove 2 hours to meet “Julia” (aka Coyoyita) soon to be known as Jasper Lily. It wasn’t love at first site. It wasn’t even like. With a great deal of guilt, trepidation and a bit of hope, I welcomed this girl into my home. The home that I had shared with the love of my life for over 13 years.
At first, Jasper slept on the floor in her own bed – my bed was a place that Shelby and I had shared. But one night, coming home from daycare with a little scratch from playing, I let her into my bed and that is where she sleeps today.
Jasper was scared of everything; air, the beach, cars, RVs, loud sounds … the world was SO frightening to her and with time, I have watched her blossom into a confident, happy and joyful little dog (she’s still scared of loud sounds).
Jasper had her own baggage; she was shuffled from a hoarding situation, to a rescue home to my home. No wonder she didn’t know if this was her forever home and if she should ‘un-pack’.
Together, we have learned to trust, to love and to open our hearts. We have BOTH embraced ‘being more dog’. Each day, Jasper wakes up with such enthusiasm for life. Each time she tries to climb a tree to ‘get the squirrel’, I truly believe she believes … this will be the day. She is happy to see me when I get home. Happy to play with me. Happy to cuddle (not as much as Shelby but we’re working on it).
She is happy to go! Oh how she was scared of the car (was I going to take her and leave her someplace else). She is my little adventure pooch and for the most part -so well behaved.
And what a first year we had together!!! From movie nights during the summer, to her first plane ride to Seattle over Thanksgiving, her first Christmas with Santa and presents, her 2nd birthday in January, her first spring break (back to Seattle) and lots of walking, hiking and running. She has learned to tolerate the beach. She LOVES to hike. She loves to be outside. She loves to go to the park and chase the ball. She loves her daycare. She loves her friends.
She loves her life. And I love having her in my life! Laughter and smiles have come back into my world again.
My heart will forever miss and long for one more snuggle with Shelby but I can say with all certainty, Shelby sent me Jasper Lily. She knew we BOTH needed each other long before I ever did. I went from comfortable happy to absolute love for this little dog. Her quirks, her ‘resting bitch face’, her ears(!!!!) – she is 100% her own dog and I am so proud of her.
So we celebrated her this weekend. I baked her a cake. We went on a 5+ mile hike in the woods where she could chase and hunt squirrels and turtles. We played endless rounds of catch. We celebrated that we made it an entire year together when it was totally touch and go in the beginning.
And we took the time to thank our sweet angel for bringing us together.
Photos from our weekend and a video of our first year together:
Are we there yet!?!?
Squirrels!!!
Hiking! Queen of the Mountain!
Post hike stretch – love the frog legs!
CAKE!
Oh Alison…this entry just has me grinning from ear to ear!! I’m at work so I can’t see the pictures but just reading about all of Jasper’s adventures with you this first year has painted a vivid picture in my mind! I love how you both have grown together and Jasper is so blessed to have Shelby looking out for her. Jasper can truly “unpack her bags” because I don’t think that little girl is goin anywhere!
I’m so happy for you both and continue to look forward to hearing about your adventures!
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
Yeah I’ve started including Lucian in my signature the little brat. He’s not going anywhere either…lol!
June 16th, 2015 at 8:17 pmLOVE THIS CELEBRATORY BLOG!!!! I’m with Sahana grinning ear ro ear and even a few happy tears…along with a little drool wanting a vite of her cake!!!
You really chronicled everything about this first year PERFECTLY!! You are always so honest with your feelings, your emotions. Quite often you are a voice for all of us. We remain silent because you say it far better than we can.
As I look at the pictures, it reminds me of what a PRETTY girl she is. We are always talking about how cute she is…that’s a no-brainer. I think her confidence has brought forth the beauty…inside and out.
A d yeah, I love the “ubpacking her bags” scenario. You’ve given her the security and love she needs to unpack all that baggage and get on with living and loving life!!
I do think her fear in a car was based on believing she would be taken out of the home she loves, the human she loves, and dropped off so.ewhere else.
ILOVE what you said about Jasoer Lily being CONVINCED that z”today is the day” she’s going ro catch that squirrel! Such a great metaphor for the way dogs think! Always positive, always believing anything is possible…even if it wasn’t possible yesterday…it is today!!
Thanks for sharing this extraordinary journey that continues to unfold on so many levels.
Shelby is an all knowing little Pri cess, that’s for sure! Good job Shelby Lynne!! Good job AlisonStrong…and Little Jasper Lily too!
MUCH, MUCH LOVE!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
June 16th, 2015 at 9:32 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!! I’m all smiles and my heart is warm!
June 16th, 2015 at 9:37 pmI especially like the group picture of you and JL with the antlers with Shelby to her side in the framed photo.
PERFECT!
xoxo
<3 <3 <3 Can I say it??? I told you so. LOL j/k. I knew it would take time but you would love JL. Not in the same way but we all know each one of our babies is loved a different way but still loved with our hearts.
I love each one of these pictures. Great. Now what was in that cake?? Is it one that you can share with all of us on the forums??
I love she is getting more comfortable with the car, loves the hikes, loves traveling. It is so awesome.
Thank you for sharing her video 🙂 Made me smile. love it
xoxoxx
June 16th, 2015 at 10:46 pmMichelle & Angel Sassy
I’m with Michelle, I knew it, I told you so … whatever! Such a happy blog, such a happy Jasper Lily, such a happy Alison! Thank you so much for sharing every step along the way, it has been such a privilege to walk this path with you and Jasper Lily and watch your relationship grow and your love blossom.
Congratulations on a fantastic year and the start of a new forever relationship. I just know that Shelby is watching every move too and is thrilled to know that her pick of the litter was such a great match for her mama.
xoxo,
June 17th, 2015 at 3:19 amMartha, C0die Rae, and the OP