September 3, 2021
Well, he made it. We made it. Jojo turns 15 today!
Five years ago, this gorgeous boy came to me through rescue for an evaluation in August of 2016. He'd been found on the streets, rescued, adopted out and returned six months later. He wasn't a good fit. Barely had a shot at training. Peed on everything. Didn't like his new family. They didn't like him. So they sent him back into rescue.
His foster mom didn't want him back either. The elitist twat, hereinafter referred to as ET, actually did me a favor though. Because she didn't want him back, they had nowhere to send him in foster care. So he came here for an evaluation and to hang for a week or two at the trainer's house because ET wouldn't let him into her newly carpeted posh home. Rather than train him to not pee, she refused him. This same ET would later oppose my adoption as I only own a mere 1,500 sq. ft. house and just what sort of life was I going to give him? We weren't posh enough I suppose and she voiced her opposition quite loudly. I'm certain ET wouldn't be spending her time or money diapering him either. So ET, if you're still sneaking around on my page, you're a horse's ass. I ended up with five years of Jojo's love. And you? Shame on you, you hateful shrew. You and your ET sidekick.
Side note: Taking the quiet, high road is not healthy for me. It means I've stuffed these feelings down and have not spoken my truth. This needed to be said 5 years ago and now I can put it to rest. I did take the high road by not naming names ;-).
Now, back to my beautiful birthday boy.
The first thing I saw in 2016 was a big gentle boy with a very broken heart. I've always said he was like a man without a country. The dog nobody wanted.
As I observed him, I knew he needed a buddy and I had the perfect one for him. First, Titty Tat Georgie was besotted with him. Then Miss Petunia Marie is the one who became his sidekick. Yep, my dog aggressive dog. As I worked through her rehabilitation and adopted him, she made great strides and became his best friend ever. They ate together. Slept together. Played together. She brought him out of his shell and, together, they moved through a beautiful life for the next three years.
Part of Jojo's dog training job here was to be my first go-to dog when introducing new dogs into training. I knew if they wanted a piece of Jojo, they were definitely the problem dog. Over the five years he's been here, we've trained and rehabilitated a hell of a lot of dogs together. He also spent countless hours with me in a nursing home spreading cheer to the memory care unit with Petunia.
He was instrumental in helping Brutus find his first friendship. A little brotherhood if you will. Old crotchety Brutus learned to trust dogs through Jojo.
As the years have moved on, we've watched Petunia take steps backward in her dog aggression rehabilitation after she was attacked by a foster dog I had from the pound. Those steps and subsequent attacks on Jojo caused me to remove her from Jojo's inner circle for safety as he ages and declines. Her attacks left him broken-hearted once again. I finally accepted that her rehabilitation with him was done and the friendship had to end. There's no animosity. It's just over.
I struggle personally with my own friendships that end for no good reason other than life moves on. I'm finally understanding that it's ok to simply let go. The path has shifted. No hard feelings. I'll catch you on the flip side. It's that simple. Their kennels are still side-by-side and they interact safely every day.
As their friendship came to a close, I watched Jojo once again look like a man without a country. Petunia's attacks had left him broken in his soul and fearful. Nothing I did could help him find his courage. He was afraid to go potty outside while always wondering if she was coming for him even though we were by his side escorting him to the play yard. He knew he was the weak link that she took advantage of.
With an informal diagnosis of cancer cachexia in the summer of 2018, we figured our days were numbered. Yes, three years ago!!!
But my aging pack was beginning to shift. Brutus would pass in early 2020 and Sammy later that same year. I prayed that I would not lose all my boys in 2020.
However, just before 2020 rang in with all it's craziness, our whole house was turned upside down in November 2019 by a little ding dong named Daisy aka Chubba Wubba Ding Dong!
Miss Daisy blew into this house like a wrecking ball. My foster dog from county truly sashayed her stout little arse into Jojo's life and brought to him a love so great that she made him whole again. Of course, that was yet another foster fail under my belt! lol
Without a cocky bone in her body, she let him (and Petunia) know that she had his back and would walk with him every day for the rest of his life. He was taken under her wing and, together, they became The Old People on Marshmallow Mountain!
With her own triple cancer diagnosis, she brought me to my knees in prayer--out of fear of not only losing her but both of them--and then showed me that it truly ain't over til' the fat lady sings!
I honestly believe Daisy has kept Jojo alive at least the past 12 months. We've all watched him waste away from a robust 80 pounds to a mere 48 pounds as I write this. These two old people have taken more trips to Sedona, Christopher Creek and San Diego than any pack members before them. But I believe they are both on a mission. A mission to teach us to face cancer in a different light.
I believe Jojo's mission is to teach those who struggle with his anorexic appearance.
He teaches that it's ok to touch him. To feel for him. To love him a little more. To give him an extra hug for good measure and to understand he feels abundant love even while deaf.
I've seen some who turn away, reluctantly turn back to stare one more time and, ultimately, find Acceptance as he wanders the beach taking in the energy of the sun, sand, surf and salt water.
By letting go of their fears and facing his cancer, some have been about to reach out to touch this special spirit of a boy as he's taking his final spin around the sun. He cocks his head and nuzzles strangers and wins them over every time. Extra points if you have a funnel cake ;-).
We've stopped to tell his story countless times on the beach, in restaurants and everywhere we go. If people are curious and especially if they're pointing, we address them with manners and spread his word--that it's ok to be afraid to look and yes, you can touch.
It's a few minutes before midnight as I wrap this up and just minutes until it's officially September 3, 2021 when my Jojo will turn 15 years old. The old people are lying in front of me soundo on Marshmallow Mountain with old people smells emanating from them, as usual.
I think a combination of love, a special anti-cancer diet, supplements and a whole lot of purpose in life have brought us to this point today. But most of all, THE WILL TO LIVE and the LOVE from his pack has kept his spirit alive.
I'm stunned yet I'm not. I prayed and somehow knew his fighting spirit would make it this far so that I could continue to teach the world about the anorexic dog with cancer who lived to celebrate his 15th birthday!
Please help me wish my boy the happiest birthday ever!
Thank you all for allowing me to share my Jojo with you.
