But I Would Have Missed the Dance Image

But I Would Have Missed the Dance

I am at a café 3 or 4 nights a week writing for this blog. Jazz is my constant companion. As you can see, he is a handsome English Cream Golden Retriever that simply can't be ignored by the clients at the café. Actually, if they attempted to ignore him, they couldn't. Jazz is people-aggressive. That is, he will purposely visit with anyone/everyone at the café, or simply on a walk, and rub up against them. As a Service Dog, I am permitted to walk him off-leash. He loves, he requires, that freedom, and I love that I can provide it. His 'autobiography' All That (is) Jazz  is on this blog.

Given the frequency of my café visits, it would be reasonable for me to expect the usual patrons and staff to know at least my first name. NOPE, not necessarily. Instead, I am often referred to as Jazz's Dad. In a sense, this café is Jazz's CHEERS, and not mine as to being recognized. Don't misunderstand me, I am not jealous (really?) of the attention Jazz gets from total strangers. I accept my 'position' as the messenger, the deliver, of this handsome one, 

Jazz is my shadow. We are inseparable. He is my first dog since I was a child. That dog, Lady, was a jet-black Cocker Spaniel that went to a farm when I was 8. And, I have been without a dog until several years ago when both my wife and I retired from our professions that required extensive traveling domestically and internationally. Sooooo, when we bought our previous house with a large fenced-in yard, it was time to get a dog. Now our present house has a pool and a grand, if not challenging, backyard for Jazz to explore every evening.

With my wife and I both being 75 at that time, we could not find breeders that were willing to sell old farts a young dog. Given that I am a writer with some repute, my wife suggested that I write a compassionate letter about our age and desires. I did so and sent it out to 8 breeders. On my second call on the list, I had a hit with a breeder that was 92 years old and was willing to sell us his breeder dog. Because of Jazz's high pedigree (for which he was brought into the U.S. from Russia), I had to promise that I would neither breed nor show him. That was not a problem. I just wanted a dog. I thought initially I wanted the classic American Golden Retriever with the red tones. However, upon meeting Jazz, my heart was immediately captured. The fact that he took a piss in the breeder's house as we were closing the purchase, was not a deterrent. Interestingly, none of the household took any notice. I was totally sold on this 'used' dog.

Now being 78, which one is going to pass first? At best, Jazz is expected to live only another 5 years. I have already loss 3 of my best male friends that were younger than me. Without Jazz, as Garth sings, "But, I would have missed the dance" no matter the grief that I may experience some day with his loss. My suggestion to anyone, even if not asked, is that if they desire a dog, then the English Cream Golden Retriever is the greatest choice, especially for the older folks. For example, I should mention that Jazz neither chases squirrels nor barks at strangers. However, he has demonstrated his ability as a guard at night on the back porch when he is surprised by some motion or noise.  I require no more.

 

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