J.D.

J.D. has been in our family for just about 10 years now. I was not that partial to dogs til J.D. came into our lives. In fact, I had a few unsettling experiences with dogs in my childhood that actually made me afraid of them.

.J.D. has been living with my parents for about the last 3 years, though he was initially my brother's dog, my sister-in-law is a cat lover and isn't really that partial to J.D.

I have had the opportunity to live with J.D. off and on in the early part of his years. When my brother first got him we were living together and I can still remember the constant whining the first few nights when we were trying to train him to sleep in the kitchen. That didn't last very long, and he eventually ended up sleeping in my brother's room.

Like any new puppy, J.D. liked to chew on various things. I remember returning from school one day and finding the foam from the inside of the couch cushions spread ALL OVER the house. Oh and, I can't forget my souvenier - one chewed up Math 110 Single Variable Calculus textbook.

J.D has always been a hyper dog, like most dalmations, and has had a difficult time controlling his excitment. He is a big dog, and when you enter my parents house, it is hard not to become one with the floor as he greets you.

It was really good to see him last weekend when we went home to Biggar for a visit. However, he has recently been to the vet and isn't doing so well. He has trouble with his back legs. The vet isn't sure what it is, but it is likely something to do with his joints. When you watch him walk, you can see that his back legs don't step forward straight, his step kind of has a curve. The vet gave him some anti-inflammatory drugs, which did the trick, but they eventually wore off.

It is hard for me to see a dog like J.D. struggle so much. When he ran into the kitchen to get his food, and his back legs buckled underneath him, it hurt me to watch him struggle. I had to lift his legs for him so he could stand on all fours. Also, when he descended down the few steps on the deck when being let out, seeing him struggle and stumble was awlful.

I love J.D. very much. I dread the day when he isn't at my parents door greeting me.