More Than a Dog

Jax Alexander Gibbons. No, this is not my son’s name. His name is Jacob Ashton Gibbons. I’m sure you see the similarities in the names. Jax is my gray and white miniature schnauzer that will turn 10 years old this month. You know what they say about people that give their dogs a middle name… crazy pup parents! I’m not sure what it means when I made sure to match his initials to my 2 legged son… bonafide crazy maybe!

In the spring of 2016, I made the big and best decision to get a dog for us. My best friend and her daughter, my goddaughter, traveled with me about two hours north to pick up my next family member. There Jax was. Calm. Sitting in the cage and not jumping or yapping like his two siblings. Just as sweet as he is today. My goddaughter cried all the way home holding him because we had left his siblings behind. Her tender heart exposed. 

But joy was soon to overtake us all when Jacob saw the surprise. He had no idea I was even considering this! Jacob was 8 then, and it was time for us to have more joy in our home. Jax  brought just that! I have to admit, over the years he has become more of my dog than Jacob’s. But they are definitely like brothers. Jacob teasing and torturing him while playing with his toys. Jax sitting between us on the couch out of jealousy. We truly have a family of 3 now. 

I also have to reveal that I am “one of those” doggie moms. He wears sweaters when it’s cold, has a doggie stroller, and a gazillion toys that I constantly pick up after him. He literally hugs me first thing in the morning and hugs me when I get home. If you visit our home, you will need to let him hug you too. It’s a must for him! Hugs… something I miss from my husband. The person that would always hug me with his big strong arms. Oh how I miss that. 

I have a friend that hugs me with longevity; she won’t let me go. I don’t see her as often now as when we worked together, but her random hugging “demands” marked me. The first few times, it was awkward. Like I was expecting to quickly embrace and then carry on with conversation. But she didn’t let go. After five seconds or so, I felt myself relax, my body untensed. I also felt the tears coming. Why in the world am I crying!?! It’s just a hug! But it wasn’t. It was the kind of hug I realized I don’t often get anymore. One that says more than “hello” and “good to see you.” One that says I see you and want to embrace you with a care and love you no longer tangibly get from unconditional love. I’ve come to realize hugs are often taken for granted. Another confession is I can be a little pushy when talking to other widows about the joys of getting a dog. How comforting, loving, fun and helpful they are to loneliness and sadness. As I wrote most of my book and even now while writing this blog, Jax is next to me. Warm and present. Happy with the simplicity of me just being home.  And of course, asleep. My classroom is even decorated with a dog theme and many of my bags and cups adorn cute pups. Yes, I’ve had dogs before Jax, but he is like none other. He is the companion I needed and the comfort that settles me. I have no idea how this little hairy guy with a beard and bushy eyebrows that can’t even talk or fix my problems could do all that for me. But he does. And I’m thankful for the little things that make a big difference. My little buddy and best furry friend.