Our Special Pet

In honor of St. Francis, I will share a few photos of my special pet. Jackson is our 7 year old Miniature Schnauzer, aka "first child." Soon after we were married we admired an aunt's schnauzer and had wanted to get one of our own. However, we waited until we were out of an apartment before getting a dog. We were living in Augusta, GA at the time, and drove over to a small town in South Carolina to go look at a litter of all girl puppies that were about 8 weeks old. Getting a dog would be David's Birthday gift. Little did we know when we drove up, that the smallest of the "big dogs" we saw running around in the grass would "Pick us" to go home with that day. He was just over 3 months old and the runt of his litter with a minor medical problem. No one had wanted him.
While we looked at the tiny babies, he kept nudging at our arms begging for attention. He looked so handsome too already being given his first haircut.... it was too hard to resist. :c) It wasn't long until we were considering him instead of the girl puppy we had gone to buy. The breeder let us have him at half price b/c he would need surgery (undescended testical and hernia removed.) On the way home we decided to call him "Jackson" b/c that is where we got him from - Jackson, SC! Jackson has been a wonderful dog to have and has brought us much joy and companionship. We love him and he is an important part of our family. Growing up I had many dogs thru the years, however b/c we lived on a farm along a busy highway we were never able to keep a dog very long at a time. Jackson is the most special pet I have ever had and I hope he is around for a very long time.
He has been great with our daughter and is the BEST "Big Brother Dog" in the whole world. Nora loves Jackson very much and often I hear her talking about him after she wakes up from her naps. I just wonder if she is dreaming of him. :c) Also just recently she has began playing with him like we do with her with the blanket on the sofa. She puts it over him and says, "Where's Jack-In?" and then pulls it back and says "Peek-a-boo, Jack-in!" It is SO CUTE!
Below is one of my favorite pics of Jackson. He was in the backseat of the car one afternoon with the sun coming in the sunroof just on him. He looks rather ragged b/c he had been sticking his head out the window earlier... but doesn't he look so serious.

Here's a prayer that you can bless your own pet with today:

Blessed are you, Lord God,
maker of all living creatures.
On the fifth and sixth days of creation,
you called forth fish in the sea,
birds in the air and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless this animal.
By the power of your love,
enable it to live according to your plan.
May we always praise you
for all your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.