| 20 October, 2006. Jassu passed away about 3:30 PM. Rather than saying we took her life, it is more fitting to say we merely put her to rest. She was 12 1/2 years old. In GSD terms that's about 81. But more than that, she had begun to suffer. Her liver was giving her problems and now her heart began to fail. She had refused to eat for four days and on this last day she could not stand up. It was time.
Jasmine was her real kennel given name. Jazzy was her kennel nickname. However we made it sound Finnish. We called her Jassu (silent J) and Jas (Yas) for short. Readers of my book, 'Between Two Rivers' will understand.
A bit of her history. She was originally a kennel dog intended for breeding. The kennel gave female dogs to trusted families with the stipulation of breeding rights whenever they wanted. When Jas turned out to have a mild thyroid problem she was deemed unsuitable for breeding and the kennel signed her over to us completely. She turned out to be a superb natural tracking dog and we trained her in Search and Rescue tracking. There were few that matched her skill. |
|---|
JASSU
| JASSU's DATA | JASSU's TRAINING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennel Name: Jasmine (Jazzi) (Dam: Dixie ~ Sire: Ponza) | Basic Obedience | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Call Name: JASSU | Advanced Obedience | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finnish Meaning: (none) Just sounds Finnish | SAR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sex: Female | ENG2050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DOB: March 1, 1994 ~ Died: October 20, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of Birth: Charlotte Hall, Maryland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired: January, 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breeder: Applejack K-9 International | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When she first arrived in 1995, it was as if she said to herself, "Hey, I like this place" and set about making herself an accepted member of the pack. Including learning to torment Kessu. Then Peto apparently fell head over heels for her, forsaking Susi. He treated Jassu like a girlfriend and Susi like a sister.
After Kessu died, it appeared Jassu missed him the most. Kessu had a favorite seat. Sort of a loveseat beneath the front window. He would often sit there and watch the world go by. After he passed away, Jassu took over the seat and sat for long periods as if looking for Kessu to return any minute. Then she would dejectedly hop down and look at us as if to say 'Where's Kessu?'
When Peto died however, it appeared Susi missed him the most. Jassu seemed less concerned about Peto's absence that she did Kessu's, despite having been Peto's favorite girl.
Jassu was a skilled tracking dog.
Here she and Annie are readying
for a practice mission.
If she lost a track, she had a distinctive 'hop-dippity-doo', when she re-acquired the track. This was not taught, she did it on her own.
If I were lost in the woods, I would have wanted this dog searching for me! She was GOOD!!
In her training credits, I listed ENG2050. She deserved it. This was an English course I took in night college, partly dealing with oral presentations. I gave a presentation on the training of GSDs. I brought Jassu as my graphic prop. She was
OUTSTANDING! She was dressed in her uniform vest and behaved like the pro she was. During the presentation, I gave her many silent commands. She did not miss a single one. The audience "Oohed & Ahed". She made my presentation!
To read the report on which the oral presentation was based, Go HERE
| Jassu could not walk. They wheeled her in on a gurney from my truck.
The Doctor asked if I wanted to stay through the procedure. I tried to explain to her my strong belief that for all these dogs have given us, the least I can do is ensure the last thing they see is someone that loves them. Yes I would stay. But my voice cracked and gave out as I tried to say this. The regular Doctors there know me and don't even need to ask, but she was new to us. However, she quickly realized what I was trying to say and positioned me where Jassu could see me while she administered the injection. I knelt down in front of the gurney on which Jassu lay on her side and put my face in front of hers. Her tongue came out in one last attempt to lick my nose. But it fell short and limply drooped from the side of her mouth. It was over.
Jassu was the last of the first generation that followed Windy. She had a full life, but now she will join Peto, Susi, Kessu and even Pimu (of the second generation) who pre-deceased her. They're all gathered at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for the rest of us. Jassu, you were a sweetheart! |
|---|
|
A Story For Our Time A Tale of Courage and Grit ~ With a Twist |
|---|
 |
| A Rousing Adventure |
visitors since her death on 20 October 2006
Photos by Annie
Photo editing by Charlie
Paw Print Graphic from:
Lissa Jane's Dogicons
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page
