Jack and Poppy

Jackie B is my puppy raiser. He is an unlikely candidate for nanny. Not only is he a beagle, he is rather disdainful of herding dogs, has no patience for hyper activity, is very testy about food and that whole "sharing" thing, and is in heart failure.

He has raised RockIt, Hemi, Focus and VooDoo, patiently tolerating their puppy antics and sharp teeth. I would find him wrapped around their crates in the morning - making sure they slept ok. He was the one the woke me up if they got restless, to go outside. Focus (a bc) actually bays like a beagle (nice trick!). He would lead them out in the morning to potty in just the right spot, show them where the lizards hang out, and show them how to dig a great hole in the dirt.

At 6 months Jack will suddenly have nothing further to do with them - his job is done.

When Poppy came home, Jack was not feeling well, he has trouble breathing a lot and just is generally out of energy and cranky, so I figured he was done with the puppy raising.

Poppy has given him a second wind I think. She follows him everywhere, bites horribly on his ears, while he winces and pretends not to notice, and he has shown her his best hiding spot (under the a-frame) and taught her a mean play-bow. He made sure to get me last night when I went upstairs for something and left Poppy downstairs by mistake.

And he plays with her - in the yard and in the house - he runs crazy circles just like he used to when he was young. - it brings tears to my eyes.

Thanks Jack - you're the best!