My name is Jack and on March 15, 2008, the Wild family picked me up from a parking lot in Connecticut.  I was soooo glad to see friendly faces when I got off that truck.

My people had to go to a conference in CA the very day that I came; they were both speaking at the conference so there was no way they could change their plans and be with me, but that was the day my foster mother needed to send me so I couldn’t change my plans either. 

My mom-person spent the only 6 hours that she had bonding with me.  She sat on the floor and brushed me, so I would remember her.  Man did that feel good after all that time in a crate on the truck.  That night, a dear friend of my mom-person, and a true dog lover, took over loving me for the rest of that week.  I was a little crazy because I didn’t really know what was going on.  All I knew was that I needed to take care of #1. 

I was a little nervous, but it made me feel better to chew a couple of expensive pillows and a really nice rug.  When I saw that juicy fully-cooked chicken on the counter, I just couldn’t resist.  I figured out that it wasn’t for me, when my mom-person’s friend chased me all around the house to get it from me.  I have to admit, that was a lot of fun. How was I to know that the chicken was intended for the people-guests she had over?  “To heck with the guests”, she reported, “I just wanted to make sure Jack didn’t end up eating sharp chicken bones.”  I could hear my mom and dad people laughing on the phone as they apologized for my behavior, from San Diego, when they heard the story.  I had a few accidents in the house that week, but my mom-person’s friend was REALLY understanding.  Whew!

My dad-person works from home, so I have had constant companionship since that first week.  I know my mom-person loves me, because she is always hugging and kissing me and she takes me to all of my activities.

My mom-person couldn’t resist finding out where I came from, so she had my DNA tested.  The results showed that I am 20-36% Chihuahua, 20-36% Golden Retriever, 10-19% Shetland Sheepdog, 10-19% Miniature Pinscher and 10-19% Schnauzer.  In other words, I am perfectly and wonderfully unique.  Who knew we would find out there was a large percent of Chihuahua in me? (explains why I like to sit on people laps).  I never did think of myself as a large dog although I weigh 62 lbs.  My people like to tell everyone that I am a Chihuahua-triever.

My mom-person had the opportunity to speak directly with my previous owner.  We lived in a trailer park in Tennessee.  Their Chihuahua lived inside the trailer.  I lived “hitched-up” outside the trailer and I rarely went inside.  The neighbors, including a Policeman, complained about my barking at night.  They made my previous owners give me up.  (To tell you the truth, I wasn’t having very much fun there anyway.  If you look closely, you can see the chain from under the turned over wheel barrow behind me). 

I love everyone, including my man-person’s one year old grandson, but men need to be patient and give me a lot of love and treats before I warm up to them.  I am always worried when my dad-person picks up anything that looks like a magazine or newspaper, and I don’t like the sound of clothes being shaken out when my mom-person is folding them.

I am a boy dog.  I like to play hard.  Sometimes my people call me the jet dog because I like to race around as fast as I possibly can and then run right into my mom-person.  On Friday’s I play with my doggie friends at playgroup and sometimes I have play dates with my friend Morgan.  I never, ever get mad at the other dogs, even when they are mad at me.  I just flash my big smile at them. 

I also love all types of toys, especially the ones with squeakers in them. 

But my all-time favorite activity is chasing the rabbits (and all other small furry objects) out of our yard.  Nothing, and I mean nothing, can dissuade me from this responsibility.  It is very serious, you know (the Retriever part). 

This is what I look like after I have been out chasing rabbits in the swamp behind our house.  When I encounter horses I have the urge to herd (the Shetland Sheepdog part). I go on long walks with my people around our neighborhood to help work off all of my energy, but back in the house I am content to take long naps and watch TV.  Yup, I actually watch the TV – the doggie shows are my favorites.

When I came here I didn’t know any commands, but in May I passed my Beginning Obedience class.  I have since been through two continuing education classes which helped a lot in getting me over some of my fears of strange sounds and odd-looking objects.  I am a real athlete! My new thing is agility for dogs; I love to jump and learn about the different obstacles.

I can’t believe how far I have come.  I have never felt so happy and confident. I have found Dog Heaven on earth!! (transcribed by mom person Diana Wild / Cumberland, RI)