The Loves of Our Lives

This beautiful being is our full bred German Shepard Jessie Boy. He is going on 11 now and is totally spoiled rotten. We've never told him he is a dog, so he thinks he is one of us which he is of course.  He is stubborn and doesn't listen to my husband very well, but he usually always listens to me. I set the pecking order early in his life so he knows Momma rules this roost!
He grew up with our other beloved dog and 3 cats plus assorted kittens.

Jessie Girl we adopted from a neglectful home when she was 16 years old and very ill. "Jessie Girl" a Lab/Chow mix, we had until 2 years ago last May when we lost her at age 22. She was the most gentle loving soul I have ever met. At first it was a tad confusing having two Jessie's here. Jessie Girl would get so crushed when we'd be telling Jessie Boy he was up to no good and to stop it, she'd think we meant her.  So my ever funny and quick thinking husband nicknamed her Squat Blossom, it stuck and we all soon adapted.

Jessie Girl aka Squat Blossom

We still haven't gotten over her loss but we know she knew she was so very loved and adored. She had a great life towards the end of her years and we will always be blessed and better people for having had her in our lives.

We also had kitties. The Three Ladies. Cleo, Lucy and Tracy, all of whom used to torture and tease Jessie Boy when he was a wee pup. He soon learned like the rest of us that Tracy ruled all of us animals in this home.
Cleo was the quiet giant. She was a true calico and was as beautiful inside as she was out. She was so sweet and was my husbands constant companion. She followed him everywhere. I think this came about because he used to carry her around in his work overalls front pockets as a babe.

Lucy kissing a startled Jessie at age 9 months

Now Lucy was the kissing gal. She'd give everyone who came here sweet "kisses". She and Jessie Boy fell head over paws in love and we didn't have the heart to tell them they were different species. They'd pal around together everywhere! That love affair lasted til the day we lost Lucy to cancer. Jessie was just lost without her for months, as we all were.

As Cleo and Lucy were the gentle kitty souls of this home, Tracy ruled us all with an iron paw. She was tough, scrappy, loving and could hit a nearly perfect C when she sang with me, which she did every time I sang. She was also a constant talker. If Tracy didn't like something she'd let you know. She started singing with me when she was 8 weeks old and never stopped til the day she died. I miss her voice so very much.

We lost our Cleo several years ago when she was hit by a car and we lost our last kitty Tracy last year at age 22. All of our pets were our children and the pain of their passing is palpable.
We were so very blessed to have all of the animals we have had in our lives. They made our lives so very full. They were all such unique, loving characters and irreplaceable souls we haven't been able to think about adopting anyone new as of yet. One day we do hope to give Jessie boy a new sibling and to adopt another dog who needs a good loving home.

Hug your pets today and let them know how very special they are,
Cheers,
Lisa