Jazz Gilmore, my beloved Golden Retriever, was born on Wednesday, March 14, 2001. I adopted him Friday, May 4, 2001 when he was seven weeks old. I later registered him as Sherry’s Jazzin’ Golden Boy with the American Kennel Club.
Also, in May 2001 he and I began puppy/dog obedience training together. Around that same time period I enrolled him in doggy day care, because he was so energetic and needed to release that energy with other dogs so that I could keep my sanity. We graduated from Puppy Obedience class in September 2001 and Jazz received his doggy diploma.
In the summer of 2001, Jazz won the cutest pet picture contest at my dentists’ office. He was awarded in toys, treats and food. The judges were my dentists’ kid patients. Thanks kids, from Jazzy!
At Christmastime in 2002 Jazzy earned his wings. We flew to Reno, Nevada so he could meet his dog cousins and I could meet my people cousins. He had the time of his life and we and went snowshoeing in the mountains of Lake Tahoe.
At some point, there was a pet photo contest going on at the local pet store. Jazz didn’t win, but he got a great professional photo shoot.
He and I’ve spent many hours at the local dog park so that he could exercise, socialize, run, wrestle and roll with the other dogs. The dog park was Jazzy’s favorite place on earth. I took him when it was raining, snowing, in hot or cold weather (having to bundle myself up) so he could have his fun and exercise. He was a social butterfly at the dog park and just had to say “hello” to nearly everyone that went there, whether they had four legs or two. And if you had a treat in your pocket, believe me, he would find it!
Swimming was another one of Jazz’s favorite activities. He simply loved water as well as mud. Making a chore for his Mama to clean him up after such activities. A true Golden Retriever, through and through!
In the summer of 2007, we enrolled in a local agility class. That meant more training for Jazz, but he loved it. He had to overcome a fear from an obstacle that he didn’t care for much – the tunnel, but he did it, with flying colors. With patience and persistence, he was running through the tunnel with lightning speed.
Shortly after his second agility class was over, he was diagnosed with lympho sarcoma. The strange thing was he didn’t know he was sick. He kept on going like a real trooper would. I continued to take him to the dog park, because I knew it made him so happy.
On Sunday, February 17, he took a turn for the worst and had to be taken in for euthanasia.
We had a very good life together. Jazzy, I will miss you very much, dear friend, and I love you very, very much. Please be a good boy in heaven – don’t take the toys from the other doggie’s (they want to play, too.) And remember that Mama will always love you, Jazz, always!!!
If you would like to see a Power Point presentation of Jazzy's happy life, e-mail me and I will send it to you. [email protected]. From Jazzy's Mama, Sherry.