[pinkhouses86]

I know this probably doesn’t go on this forum, but I have met so many nice people from this site, and don’t have many friends who understand the bond between a person and their pet. In 2000 I bought a poodle (Jackson) from a breeder in Lexington / Underwood, Indiana named Nona Schindler, her kennel was named Briarwood. My father had bought 2 of her dogs, and my brother had purchased one. They were AKC registered poodles. The first couple years for each were good years. Then each of them began to show problems, such as: luxating patella’s, enlarged hearts, trachea problems, fluid in their lungs, seizures, hip displacia. The vet asked me repeatedly who I got Jackson from, I wouldn’t tell him, I thought she was super nice, and didn’t want to get her into any trouble, he told me she had bred the dogs down so small this was a major part of their problem. Now that I’ve read on here, as well as other research, I see that I believe she was running a puppy mill. She has stopped breading poodles, now breads Chihuahuas I’ve been told. She would never let us come to her house, she insisted on vaccinating them up til they were a year old, she met us in parking lots, with the dogs when we first viewed them, then for each of their vaccinations. Jackson after having his 2nd year vaccinations began having seizures, the carried on throughout his life. He had a luxating patella, actually 2. We had the first repaired the week of Christmas 2005. 6 months later we were to have the other one repaired. He died in April of ’06. At only 6 years of age. I had put him in bed as always, and gone to the kitchen to get my glass of water and his cup. I heard something, when I got to the bedroom, he was on the floor, his tongue was purple, and he was limp. I called every vet in this community (I live in a very small town), and not one of them would answer or return my call. Needless to say, I lost him that night. My life hasn’t been the same since; I still miss him so much every day. I now have Smoky, he is my first Yorkie, and NIGHT AND DAY different than Jackson, it took us a while to adjust but we are good friends now. I’ve attached a “blog/poem” I wrote, my friend told me it was silly and rambling, but I think it helps to talk/write about things like that. I’m sorry this is so long.. But I have met so many nice people on here; I just felt that if I shared it would help. Thank you!


Jackson was my 5 lb chocolate poodle.
He was born August 26, 2000.
He was taken from me April 30, 2007.
In that short period of time we went through many things.
You were always there for me and made me feel that everything would work out.
From the moment I saw you in the Wal-Mart parking lot –
To the moment I held your lifeless body in my arms,
I had never felt the kind of companionship we had.
You were my best friend.
I will miss you everyday for the rest of my life.
I can only thank you for the precious time you gave me and hope –
I made you feel as loved and protected as you made me.
I have never heard of a pet being as quirky as you, Jackson.
You let me know you were tired of company –
by turning your head, and ignoring them.
You buried food and treats all over the house.
The trick we taught each other – "Momma loves you".
I'm so very sorry for the things you didn't like;
The doorbell at Ashby - the Dominos commercial –
the tile at Ferguson.
I'm so thankful we made it back home before you had to go.
You made me laugh, cry, feel safe and needed.
After your surgery in December 2006, I spent the week at home with you –
Every moment – wanting to do anything to make you feel better.
Every day I think of what I would have done differently –
If I'd known that day was our last.
Since you left me, I have cried more tears than ever imaginable.
I never thought you'd be gone so soon. I took our time for granted.
I miss you hogging me out of the bed,
You were determined I was going to hold you – no matter what I was doing.
But when those baby browns stared up at me – I melted.
I get so angry at you sometimes for leaving me here.
Then I get angry at myself.
I still needed you. I still need you.
But when I make myself thing about it –
I know your little body was letting you down.
I wonder if there was anything in this world I could have done –
Baby, I need you to know – I would have done it – no matter what!
Jackson, you are in my heart forever –
There isn't a moment that passes that I don't think about you.
I love you my friend and I always will.
You have been gone almost a year now, it has taken me this long to finish writing this, and able type it. I still have a broken heart – like I've never known.
I love you little one – and always will!