Friday 14 September 2007

My Favourite Word

My human pal Blue tagged me with a very interesting challenge. She asked me to think of my favourite word. Lots of MPs, poets and other bigwigs are also selecting their favourite words as part of a UNESCO project to promote literacy in third world countries. The results will be compiled into a book which will be sold in aid of the Education Action program.

It's very difficult to pick a single favourite word. I could have chosen freedom or peace or love but instead I thought I'd go for something more personal to me. It is my blog after all. So my favourite word is ...

RESCUE

And so this post is for all those special people who dedicate themselves to rescuing all kinds of animals (yes, even cats!) Every day I thank dog for those who give their all to help animals in need. Thank you. I hope that my story below will help explain to others why you do it...
...

Most of you know I'm a rescue dog. But did you know that I was in a bit of a sad way when J1 & J2 took me in? My background is a bit of a mystery. I was found as a stray and taken to Battersea Dogs Home in London where I stayed for a month before being taken to Fox Terrier Rescue.

Who's this sad looking little fella?



Yes, you guessed it, it's me. This photo was taken 3 years ago when I first came to live with J1 & J2 and I'd just had my first haircut. It was really hard getting the clippers over my ribs because they were so prominent. I was on a special diet for a long time and had to be fed little and often to try and encourage me to eat. I'd lost my appetite for life and I didn't trust anyone. My only comfort was my toys. I didn't interact with people, and I wasn't bothered about being stroked or getting ear scritchies. As long as they left me alone to get on with destroying my toys I was fine. Gradually I began to come out of my shell. There were a few setbacks along the way. It broke J1 & J2's heart to see me flinch everytime anyone raised their hand near me. They still remember the time I ran and hid when J2 took off his belt (he was just getting undressed!)

The last 3 years haven't been easy. I've come a long way from the scared skinny little chap I once was. I've been attacked by other dogs, had terrible health problems and yet now I'm a happy dog, glad to be given a second chance here with J1 and J2. They wait on me hand and paw, just as it should be.

So to all you noble souls involved in animal rescue. This is why you do it. To help dogs like me readjust and go on to lead happy and fulfilled lives. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[Special thanks to Lee England, at Fox Terrier Rescue who let J1 & J2 offer me (and Watson before me) a new home.]

31 comments:

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

Oh JXN....you know just how to break my happy heart all over again with your story. You are such a handsome little fella...a PIP of a PAL!
Wish we could live closer...we could wander around in my garden and watch the fish...and snuggle together at the end of a purrrrfect day. We'd have lots of long chats about how gr8 it is to be rescued.
You are very impawtant in my old cat life...thanks for being there for me:)
Love Miss Peach

Molly the Airedale said...

You've got us all sniffling here, Jackson! What an awesome story!

Love ya lots!

Maggie and Mitch

Gus said...

Jackson: Wow, what a story. I am a rescue too, and muzzer says all of us have a story to tell. Yours is awe inspiring! Kudos to all the folks who helped you, and all the folks who helped me, particularly my foster mom in Md., who kept me for muzzer until she came home.

kissies to you and to J1 and J2!

Gussie

Agatha and Archie said...

Oh Jackson,The 3 of us(PL2 included here) can barely write through our tears.We love you and J1+2 so much and think that the choice of your word is an outstanding one.Love and hugs and kisses A+A+PL2

Asta said...

Jackson
You made me cwy, thinkin of all you've been thwough i youw life, and how wondewful all those people awe who love and cawe fow us and who wescure animals...hurrah fow them! Rescue is a vewy impowtant wowd!

I love J1 and J2 and Lee England fow finding and cawing fow you.
Thank you
smoochie kisses to all
Asta

Headgirl said...

Oh, Jackson, you've made me cry over my morning cup of tea, can hardly see to type!
Yours is a sad story, but thankfully with a happy ending.
I'm glad you turned my word tag into such an excellent post. Did you send your excellent word in?

Best wishes to J1 & J2.
And, lots of pats & pets to my fav. WFT
Blue
x

Simba and Jazzi said...

What a great word and so fitting. So glad you are safe and loved now.

Simba x

Jake of Florida said...

Jackson,

Thank you for adding a very important word to the project. Rescue is not just for dogs -- and cats and horses and other animals -- but lots of humans all over the world need to be rescued too. Sounds like we all need to rescue each other.

We're so glad you have J1 and J2 to help you overcome your past life and bring you the joy of a happy family. Like us, you are a very lucky lucky dog and we love you!!

Jake and Just Harry

Putter said...

Hi Jackson!

Great story! :)

Thanks for stopping by to say hi!

It is a busy and funnest time at MY house!

Your Friend,

Putter ...:)

PreciOus said...

Oh Jackson, thanks for sharing your story with us. I've learn a great word from you. Smoochies.

Snuggle,
Precious

Bogart H. Devil said...

Aw... that's SO SWEET :)

Love & Aire Kisses,

Eddie N Peaches said...

We are so glad you were rescued by J1 & J2. Big licks to them!
Pooches Smooches,
Eddie, Peaches & Bella

Lorenza said...

Hi, Jackson
You have the virtue to make us cry! You had a sad begining but now you are so loved and safe in a lovely home! Glad you were rescued by wonderful people!
Have a good night
Lorenza

Amber-Mae said...

Awwww... That made me tear up but what a happee ending for you! You found a new home, a new loving family & a whole new life with them!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

RESCUE is my fave word too Jackson, for that is what my Jeannie and her family did for me, Rescued Me!

love and licks, Marv xxxxxx

The Airechicks said...

Jackson -

You're so right - RESCUE is a wonderful word and has wonderful and sad moments....

What wonderful word rescue is....

Your story makes it touching that rescue brought you a whole new wonderful life ....


Thank you for sharing with us!!

Balboa said...

that word says it all,

Mommy is crying, because you have found a wonderful and loving home and you know love because of RESCUE.

Thank you for sharing your story with all of us.

Balboa and Mommy

Faya said...

Oh Jackson ! My VĂ©ronique is crying... but it is a beautiful story and I am so happy for you...
Kisses, Faya

Buster the Wired Fox Terror said...

Hey Jax, you used to be cute! What happened? (j/k)

Bussie Kissies
Buster

Ferndoggle said...

Oh Jax, that story makes us so sad. We're SO happy you found J's 1 & 2 and they were patient with you. You hit the lottery with them!

Sherman, Penny & Lola

Rev said...

Hi Jx,

I Hope your message can rescue more and more homeless dog.

luv,
Pinky

Anonymous said...

Hey Jackson
You are one lucky fellow! Your humans are super great people for giving you their love. Your story touched my heart and mommy's too...she also likes the "rescue" word! She says love will conquer all ailments! Stay well!
Many Meows...Suki

William Tell said...

What a wonderful ending to your story! You deserve the best after a hard start in life. And of course, I'm sure you give back a lot of love, too. Warms the cockles of my heart to read tales like this!

William Tell

Joe Stains said...

what a great word and what a great post!

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh Jackson!
What a great post and a great word!!! Lacie and I thought about crying when we read it, but we decided since your story is so PAWSITIVE that we would concentrate on the wonderful new life you have now and all of the hoomans and dogs who love you. You're a tough dog, Jackson and you're a survivor. We love you, Man!!!

Wiry barks & Lakie licks,
S & L

Katherine and Pippa said...

That is such a fine word to choose.

And your story sounds just like my pal Princey who used to live with master and mistress until last year. He stopped being frightened in the end too, and would do furly lips at mistress to try and frighten her.

J1 &J2 are very good people. Mistress isn't. I told her to bring back the Pippaluk book so she could take some special pix for you but she forgot. Maybe next weekend eh?

Pippa

Stanley said...

Jackson, my buddy.

I had no idea what your life was like before you adopted J1 & J2. You must be one tough Wirey guy to come through all you have. I am proud to know you!

I love that word too, J! My story is much milder than yours, but thank doG my girl and I rescued each other. I also love your peeps and Lee from terrier rescue for being part of your love journey.

Goober love & hugs,
Stanley (and my girl)

MJ's doghouse said...

wow jackson..i cant believe this is one of the first times i have come across your blog...and i came to a very important one...i agree that rescue dogs are very lucky...i came from an animal rescue but I was only 6 weeks old and i have lived the life of a princess ever since...i am so glad you got a good family..i look forward to learning more about you

Mango and Party said...

I was rescued too and Mango an unsold old puppy scarred by fungus in the farm (and they still charged for her!) and it had been rough. So now we thought we will double the fun and loves to make up for lost time.

Lots of wiry loves (and jumps) to you too!

Wiry cheers,
Mango & Party

Quinvale AstaLaVista Baby said...

G'day Jax,

You look so skinny there, but you look pawsome now.

xxx Asta down under

Koobuss said...

That is some story jackson! What a terrible life you must have had. That combined with your health problems make me & my family just want to cry for you. You must be the bravest, strongest, and most wonderfulest fox terrier ever.

I love you Jackson! (And J1 & J2, too.)

Love and lots of Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie