Asher

Big Time Decision

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Ash

Ash

Since Nellie left us life has settled into an easy routine. We get mom up every morning at 4am sharp. If she doesn’t roll out of bed Tess and Jack mix it up and then Jack pisses in the corner.

Mom can’t ever go back to sleep after we wake her up, so our day gets off to a nice early start.

Me and Tess get our breakfast in the garage. We don’t stand around in the kitchen the way we used to because a while back we got into a noisy smack down rumble.

Jack now eats in the kitchen by himself. Mom keeps him company and usually surfs the web while he’s eating. One day mom was looking at the PetFinder site. Guess what dog she always looks for? You got it! Aussies.

Mom was thinking she’d take a break from bringing more sorry rescue dogs into our pack, but then she found Marble, the sorriest Aussie mutt you ever saw. Here’s her picture.

Marble

See those sad eyes? That’s a mutt that’s had a tough life. Marble has a sidekick named Shiloh, and they’re a package deal. If you watch this video, you’ll understand why they can’t be separated. Shiloh needs a special home too.

Mom and dad talked it over. They both said Asherpark is the perfect place for worn out dogs. So mom called the rescue people in California and learned more about Marble and Shiloh. They’re gonna send us some medical records for Shiloh.

In a day or two we’re gonna have a family meeting and talk it over. Then we’ll make the big decision. Me and Jack are fine with it. Tess has to promise she’ll mind her manners and not get uppity with the new mutts. It would mean a lot to offer Marble and Shiloh a chance to be happy forever. I hope it works out. If you keep reading our barks, you’ll be the first to know.

Jack

My Turn

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Jack

I’ve been compared to Humphrey Bogart because of my dark and brooding looks. Someone once said I looked like an old fedora. No matter how I feel inside my face seems locked in a deep sorrowful gaze.

People worry about me because I always look so sad. It’s true that I used to be sad a lot before I came to Asherpark.

In my old life I had a silly name – Cyrus. Imagine being named after the king of Persia and living in squalor.

When I was Cyrus I lived in chaos. My person used drugs and had runaway kids living with her. They had drug parties and smoked a lot. The place stunk real bad.

Once somebody did something mean to me. The vet says the bone under my right eye was broken. I think somebody kicked me.

When the authorities seized me I was put in the slammer for five months while all the legal stuff got sorted out. It was cold and drafty. I could smell the fear. Day after day I lay on the concrete floor wondering if my royal name would buy me a better place to live.

When I finally got sprung from the joint, I was a big sorry mess – dirty fur, goopy eyes, and a hundred yard stare from all the misery in my life.

The first thing I did on the way to my new home was puke in the back of the car. It’s a wonder I wasn’t taken right back to the shelter. Looking back I feel ashamed about my behavior. Things didn’t get off to a very good start.

As soon as I got to my new home I attacked the young boy dog, Asher. That’s what ex-cons do. You gotta act macho so nobody messes with you. Then I pissed in every corner and on every piece of furniture.

The second time I got hissy with Ash, mom put me down hard. She wagged her finger in my face and told me to knock the crap off. Then she put me on a leash and I had to follow here everywhere for a week.

When I got off detention I realized I didn’t have to be mean to Ash. Nobody at Asherpark was gonna hurt me. Once I quit attacking Ash, he became my best friend. Mom calls him my babysitter because I’m afraid to be left alone without Ash to keep me company.

The truth is I’m a big scaredy cat. I’m afraid to be the last one in the yard at night. I’m afraid to be left home alone. I’m afraid of walks in the park. I’m afraid to get my feet wet in deep puddles. The strange thing is people love me anyway.

At Asherpark I got my new name, Jack. It’s a wonderful name. It makes me seem like one of the guys, not some goofy dead king.

I go places and represent Old Dog Haven. Because I’m calm around strangers, anybody can come up to me and pet me.

Now that Nellie’s gone Ash told me that I had to step up my game and share the responsibilities. Ash said I’ve stayed in the background long enough. I’ve had three years to get over the bad stuff that happened to me. He’s right. I’m gonna man up and start helping Ash with the DailyBark. You watch me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asher

Nellie Came Home

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Nellie

Long before Nellie crossed the bridge, mom talked to us about what happens to our bodies when we don’t need them anymore.

Mom explained that once our spirits cross the bridge, our days of wearing fur are over. She said our bodies would then be cremated in a respectful ceremony and our ashes would be saved.

Mom promised Nellie that her sacred ashes would return to Asherpark. She showed me and Nellie the beautiful urn she got special from her friend Julie at Julie Reisner Ceramics.

Nellie thought that was the best thing in the whole world. While her spirit was romping with Codie on the other side of the bridge, her ashes would always have a home at Asherpark.

About a week after Nellie crossed the bridge, mom and dad went to the vet and collected Nellie’s ashes. The ashes were in a beautiful box with her name on it and there was a clay heart with Nellie’s paw print.

Us mutts were real curious about Nellie’s ashes. We thought they would smell like Nellie, but they didn’t have her scent.

Mom carefully transferred Nellie’s ashes from the box to the urn. We all stood around and watched, not sure how we were supposed to behave.

Then mom created a special place for Nellie. On a table near Nellie’s portrait, mom arranged the urn with Nellie’s sacred ashes, her collar, the foot print from her last night on earth, and cards from people who wrote to say good bye.

Mom said the circle was complete. Nellie came to us as a worn out stray. We took care of her and grew to love her. When it was time for Nellie to leave us, we helped her cross the bridge. Now her ashes are back home at Asherpark.

After Nellie died people wrote so many beautiful things about her. Nellie touched something in people. She was like a pure white light of goodness and courage.

Me and mom sat quiet while we were thinking about Nellie. Mom says we will always remember Nellie and we will miss her forever, but we have to be ready for when another worn out mutt needs a safe place.

I looked at mom and we both knew that’s how we would honor Nellie. When the time is right another sorry old mutt will find a forever home at Asherpark. The magic of Asherpark will continue.