It's hard to believe she was ever that small. It's also hard to believe it has been a year since @mrsbozz and I had to say goodbye to our beloved @jovijett. It was a pretty somber weekend for my wife and I as we spent some time reflecting on the past year without our dog of 14+ years and knowing that she is in a far better place now with no pain or anxiety.
I can still remember the day I brought her home from the animal shelter. After being married for a year, we had been looking for a dog for a while, but hadn't quite found the right fit for us. @mrsbozz happened to be searching through the animal shelters when she saw a cute little lab mix on the website of a shelter a couple of counties over.
The dog and her brother and sister had been found in a crate down in the ditch on the side of the road. I made the drive over after work to pick up the dog that we had picked out only to find out that she had already been taken.
They still had the one sister and brother available and though it pained me to do so, I took the female dog that had been named Jett. We knew we wanted to name our dog Jovi, so we just kept Jett as her middle name. I had only taken enough cash to get one of the dogs. If I had been thinking better, I doubt I ever would have separated her from her brother the way I did.
I remember driving her home in a mail bin I had seet on the seat next to me. She was so small and cute.
I'm not going to lie and say Jovi was a perfect dog. I did a horrible job of training her as my wife was working two jobs at the time and most of the evenings were just Jovi and I alone. She also had a lot of anxiety and separation issues. I probably would too if I had been left in a crate on the side of the road.
She loved us though and I trust she knows she was loved in return. So unbelievably much.
It's been a very different year for us without her. We still occasionally think we hear her whining or barking in certain instances. It sucks coming home from work and her not being there barking her head off like she is trying to tell us all about the things she saw and did during the day. I really wish I had some video of that.
We still haven't gotten rid of her toys. There is a basket of them sitting against the wall in the living room. She didn't always play with them, she was happier just to sleep most of the time, but every so often she would dig through the basket and find one or two that occupied her for a time.
We also still haven't been back to the park that we used to walk at with her all the time. It's still just too painful. I honestly don't know if we will ever go back to that park. Even though it is just around the corner, the convenience isn't worth the sorrow it brings.
We are also getting ready to enter our second season without her camping with us and that is a bit bittersweet as well. While logistically it makes things a lot easier, I still miss laying out a nice bed and blanket for her only to have her lay right on the dirty ground like the photo you see above.
It's hard to say if @mrsbozz and I will ever get another dog. Right now the consensus is no, we have some traveling we want to do and as I said logistically it just makes it easier. Additionally, I don't think either of us has the space left in our heart for another dog. It's not that we don't have the love to give, but I don't think our hearts could handle another goodbye. This one alone practically destroyed us.
I've actually gotta stop writing now so I am not bawling when my work day starts. It's been hard enough writing this post.
We miss you @jovijett!
Sports Talk Social - @bozz.sports
It is rough saying good bye to a furry friend. I am about to lose our chocolate Labrador who is on the way out. We have already discussed this with the vet as we do not want her to suffer and she never shows pain.
It's hard for sure. I am sorry to hear about your dog. We were lucky to get three more years than the typical eleven or so they say you get with that breed.
Me s also 14 years old deaf half blind unless there is food around and her back legs are failing. I am holding off as some days seem better than others. She has cancer, but he vet says that wont be a problem with her age as it is a slow moving one. We are monitoring her and she is a proper fighter so maybe she will be here in 6 months or even 12 months or gone next week.
That was our tipping point. She couldn't get up the stairs because of her legs. We knew at that point it was time.
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Awe, she was such a beautiful girl. That photo of her as pup just screams mischievous. I feel the same way about my Bialey girl. There is no doubt I will fall apart when her time comes to cross the rainbow bridge. I don;'t even want to think about it now. Your post has me getting wet in the eyes.
Yeah, she used to get under the couch and tear it all apart. We were kind of glad when she outgrew that.
So very sorry. You've got me bawling too.
It's all in the eyes. Sweet dog. That look goes right through you♥️
Yes, she was so sweet. If we hadn't had her fixed, I think she would have been a really great mom.
That's the hard part with a dog. They are wonderful, selfless creatures, filled with love. But, unless we are already very old when we get them, they will leave before we do. It's too bad your dog left you, but you still have all the great memories.
Thanks! We do have some really great memories!
I never had Dogs growing up but I moved in with my sister and brother in laws family for a year while my condo was getting fixed after water damage. Lucas there Dog became my homie and I took care of em. He got sick and passed away this past December and it broke me brother. I can relate and I only had am for a year or so. Much love to ya buddy and cheers to the life of Jovi 🍻
Thank you! I am sorry you had to go through that! It's inevitable, but still destroys you.
That is so hard, anniversaries like this one are tough. Funny how a dog becomes so much a part of the family, and part of your life. To be honest with you, I can't believe it's been a years. It seems just like yesterday that you had to put her down. If another dog is in the future, it will be when the time is right, for now just enjoy being able to travel more easily.
You have some great memories, and in the end that is what really counts!
Yeah, I can't believe how fast time goes. Cloud photo storage doesn't really help as they tend to remind you of previous years. It's like a kick in the gut when you see those old photos come up.
What a heartbreaking, yet heartwarming story. Losing a pet is incredibly difficult, and your description of the time spent with your beloved dog is touching. Thank you for sharing your memories. I'm glad she's at peace now.
Thank you, I appreciate that!
I feel your pain very much, I know well how hard it is. I lost Rocky four months after you lost her. Hope they’re playing together wherever they are. A big hug. ❤️
I hope so too. I am sorry you had to go through that!
I can't that has been a year already. Losing pups hurts big time so I know the pain you and mrsbozz will be going through.
We thought long and hard about getting another dog and decided against it. I love the hoodie pic, dogs always look so darn cute in hoodies.
Thank you! Yes, I just don't think we will be in a place to want another dog for a long time. The pain was just too hard.
I may still be young, but I know how deep the bond with a pet can be. They’re not just animals—they’re family
Yes, indeed!
Some beautiful memories are always remembered but the most precious thing in life is friend, he is very lovely and I have seen you having fun and relaxing everywhere.Tears are also good for your dear friend because they are of joy
I've definitely shed my fair share of tears over the past year!