R.I.P., Yukon Jack
Jack died today, at 3:50 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. Born Jan. 16, 1996, he was 13.
I'm still sorta numb. It came on so suddenly. He was feeling as frisky as ever when we hopped in the car and drove to the Sunday dog meetup. He even slipped down off his doggie seat in the back, scrambled across the floor and squeezed his way around the side of the front seat to sit right next to me. He was an escape artist until the day he died.
The attack happened the second I stopped at the parking lot for the meetup. He fell on his back in the car, crying and stiff, then he went limp. I did a brief attempt at CPR, felt a heartbeat, then rushed him to pet emergency three blocks away. My friends from the meetup were there for support.
The vet doesn't know what happened. Jack's bloodwork and X-rays were normal. No toxins were found in his body. They suspect a brain aneurism or something similar. Even before he started to slip away, he was posturing strangely and looking like he'd lost control of his faculties.
My first inclination with this blog was to try to memorialize him by explaining just what a special dog he was and how much he meant to me. But that's not only impossible in one story, it's unnecessary.
Jack's whole adult life, beginning with my first failed attempt to get him by answering a classified ad, his two life-threatening surgeries and his countless adventures, are all right here on YT in discussions, pictures and video links. I take immense comfort in that.
But even more, I'm overwhelmed at the outpouring of support and sympathy coming from the members here. Some of you I've known for four years, even before I got Jack as a rescue in 2005. Others I've met more recently. Still others don't know me but nevertheless sent their heartfelt condolences.
In the movie "The World According to Garp," someone asked Robin Williams why he would dress in drag and risk his life by showing up at a radical, all-women's memorial service for his activist mother. His answer was something to the effect, "I wanted to be around people who loved my mother as much as I loved her."
Toss out the part about the radical women, lol, and that's what you guys here on YT have done for me. I've read all your posts on the thread announcing his demise, your profile messages, your PMs, your text messages and your Facebook comments. I cry and cry as I read them, but more out of genuine happiness than sorrow. You guys knew Jack. You followed his adventures. And you loved him as much as I did.
What better memorial is there than to have such an incredible outpouring of love? Jack will not just be in my heart and memories until the day I die, he will be remembered by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of you guys as well. Not a bad legacy for a 4-pound Yorkie.
I joked one time that Jack was not my dog but YT's. Members had sent me a check and hundreds of dollars in toys when he had his first surgery, and it seemed appropriate to share the ownership. After reading all your comments, again and again, I see it was not a joke. You do feel his loss as much as I.
Several people have asked me if there's anything they can do. I ask just one thing. Keep YT alive through your donations. The stories of all our dogs are right here. As long as YT is here, we have a permanent record of our dogs' lives that we can revisit any time we want. I can assure you I'll be doing a lot of that in the years to come.
So, from me and my wife, Kelly, thanks for the love. Jack was a lucky dog to have so many good friends.
Below is the last picture ever taken of Jack.
I'm still sorta numb. It came on so suddenly. He was feeling as frisky as ever when we hopped in the car and drove to the Sunday dog meetup. He even slipped down off his doggie seat in the back, scrambled across the floor and squeezed his way around the side of the front seat to sit right next to me. He was an escape artist until the day he died.
The attack happened the second I stopped at the parking lot for the meetup. He fell on his back in the car, crying and stiff, then he went limp. I did a brief attempt at CPR, felt a heartbeat, then rushed him to pet emergency three blocks away. My friends from the meetup were there for support.
The vet doesn't know what happened. Jack's bloodwork and X-rays were normal. No toxins were found in his body. They suspect a brain aneurism or something similar. Even before he started to slip away, he was posturing strangely and looking like he'd lost control of his faculties.
My first inclination with this blog was to try to memorialize him by explaining just what a special dog he was and how much he meant to me. But that's not only impossible in one story, it's unnecessary.
Jack's whole adult life, beginning with my first failed attempt to get him by answering a classified ad, his two life-threatening surgeries and his countless adventures, are all right here on YT in discussions, pictures and video links. I take immense comfort in that.
But even more, I'm overwhelmed at the outpouring of support and sympathy coming from the members here. Some of you I've known for four years, even before I got Jack as a rescue in 2005. Others I've met more recently. Still others don't know me but nevertheless sent their heartfelt condolences.
In the movie "The World According to Garp," someone asked Robin Williams why he would dress in drag and risk his life by showing up at a radical, all-women's memorial service for his activist mother. His answer was something to the effect, "I wanted to be around people who loved my mother as much as I loved her."
Toss out the part about the radical women, lol, and that's what you guys here on YT have done for me. I've read all your posts on the thread announcing his demise, your profile messages, your PMs, your text messages and your Facebook comments. I cry and cry as I read them, but more out of genuine happiness than sorrow. You guys knew Jack. You followed his adventures. And you loved him as much as I did.
What better memorial is there than to have such an incredible outpouring of love? Jack will not just be in my heart and memories until the day I die, he will be remembered by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of you guys as well. Not a bad legacy for a 4-pound Yorkie.
I joked one time that Jack was not my dog but YT's. Members had sent me a check and hundreds of dollars in toys when he had his first surgery, and it seemed appropriate to share the ownership. After reading all your comments, again and again, I see it was not a joke. You do feel his loss as much as I.
Several people have asked me if there's anything they can do. I ask just one thing. Keep YT alive through your donations. The stories of all our dogs are right here. As long as YT is here, we have a permanent record of our dogs' lives that we can revisit any time we want. I can assure you I'll be doing a lot of that in the years to come.
So, from me and my wife, Kelly, thanks for the love. Jack was a lucky dog to have so many good friends.
Below is the last picture ever taken of Jack.
Comments 112
Total Comments 112
Comments
I am truely sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose one of these babies. My heart goes to you both during this time. | |
Posted 03-26-2009 at 05:47 AM by Kenna |
mike i have enjoyed your pics of your kids. they are awesome...im so sorry for your loss. i just happened to read about it today between patients, i had to take a break and wipe the tears away..... jack was loved by so many.... may you and your wife find some peace in that...michael | |
Posted 03-26-2009 at 02:06 PM by mortbike |
I am so, so Sorry about your little one | |
Posted 03-31-2009 at 07:28 PM by najael |
SorryI am so, so Sorry about your little one | |
Posted 03-31-2009 at 07:29 PM by najael |
I know that months have passed but I just wanted to let you know that I am incredibly touched over your story... and Jack. Wow, I am sitting here bawling my eyes out for this tiny 4lb creature. I lost it when I saw the picture of your wife and sweet lil Jack. (((hugs))) Losing your baby is such an incredibly hard thing to go through and I love your encouragement to everyone else as you were going through this hard time. I hope that you and your wife are doing well. | |
Posted 06-13-2009 at 08:28 AM by Robin Lodal |
Oh Mike, I am so sorry to hear of your sweet Jack's passing. I have been away for a very long time with the death of my grandson and am just now seing that he is gone. I don't even have words...I know that his last 3 years were the best with you and Kelly and that is what matters. He felt so loved and happy and was secure and not feeling alone on the day he left. That is priceless. Love your new Jillian and her name is so perfect! Hugs to all of you! | |
Posted 06-29-2009 at 02:51 PM by myteddybear |
Every time I miss Jack, I just sign on to YT and read the posts right here. Each and every one lifts my spirits. Thanks for taking the time to offer your condolences. | |
Posted 04-15-2010 at 05:31 AM by alaskayorkie |
OMG..I am in tears right now. I am so sorry for your loss. I know it was over a year ago but still. I lost a yorkie 5yrs ago this July so I understand your pain. Please remember all the happiness you brought to eachother. Did you get another baby yet? It really does help in the healing process. I hope you are feeling better. I know it still feels like yesterday. Jack was very lucky you came into his life. That was very special of you to rescue him. Best of happiness to you.. | |
Posted 04-24-2010 at 08:10 AM by elenita Updated 04-24-2010 at 08:14 AM by elenita (missing words) |
R I P JackI am new to the site and wish to send my sincere condolences on the lost of your little yorkie Jack. I have a 5lb male named Ty and cannot even imagine life without him. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. | |
Posted 03-12-2013 at 12:30 PM by Tybow08 |
I feel so so sad for you after reading this. You are very brave at heart. I could even describe how I lost my pet, it makes my numb and all in tears every time I think of him. | |
Posted 12-29-2013 at 09:59 PM by Adgerwalker |
we had a little boy Identical to Jack, Do dogs Qualify for Wings in Doggy Heaven ? ? ? Jack Sounded Like a Good Candidate X Joan | |
Posted 10-25-2014 at 12:22 PM by marjocy777 |
Thanks for the continued kind words. I wrote the original post almost six years ago, and not many days go by that I don't think about Jack. I do think he's in doggie heaven, but I know he's in my heart forever. | |
Posted 10-25-2014 at 04:02 PM by alaskayorkie |