Meet Grandpa!

As you recently learned, we had to help our Lillian cross the rainbow bridge last month. It was sudden, and painful, and very sad - but the right thing to do. Just the previous week we had been to Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services to meet their senior dogs. Losing Lilly, we weren't sure we'd follow through with bringing a new dog home like we had planned. But after a few days of grieving her, we decided the BEST thing we could do in Lilly's honor was save another, similar soul.

So, with that being said, meet the newest member of our pack: Grandpa!

Oh boy, where to start with Grandpa….

Grandpa was a staff favorite at Jax ACPS but, like many seniors, had lots of kennel stress and was being overlooked by possible adopters. Add to that his age, and his health issues, and poor Grandpa was unlikely to be adopted. 

We met many seniors right before Lilly passed, and in a lot of ways, I think she led us to Grandpa. He has a demanding, puppy-like personality just like her. He also has cancer, just like her. He also has a big block head and big droopy (smoochable) lips, just like her. And, just like her, he was facing a scary and uncertain future. 

Grandpa was potentially hit by a car (we don't know for sure), and has some nerve damage to his hind legs (so his walk and run are a little wonky, and extra cute). He had chronic, severe ear infections in both ears that we believe left him partially deaf. He has some behavior issues to work out (toy resource guarding and nipping for attention or to evoke play) but nothing that a little time decompressing here won’t fix. 

Any time you sit down, Grandpa is there, putting his head in your lap. Opening a door to a bathroom, or the office, or the pantry? Grandpa is there. He has claimed the big yellow donut bed as his and sleeps long and hard there all evening. But his most favorite place is on the back deck, looking out over the backyard. He lays out there, watching the field, for hours at a time. I love that he’s found his “spot” so quickly. 

Welcome, Grandpa! We love you already 💙