Author: JackJack Canine Explorer

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland and since my hoomans are Irish I guess I am too! So on this day, I would like to take some time to honor all those old dogs who walked before us and blazed the trails to make it a bit easier for us young pups. 

Sometimes it is hard for me to listen to the old dogs. They can be soooo quiet! I love to jump up and BARK BARK BARK my outrage as LOUD as I can (especially when that guy in the van puts boxes on our porch). But not old dogs – nope. I once saw an old dog just look out the window at the van guy – didn’t even growl. Now that is self control! If I just THINK there is an intruder I am sure to let my hoomans know ASAP!

Sometimes, when I get too loud in the house, the family will start to tell stories about Great Grandpa Kirby and how quiet he was compared to me. Kirby was my hooman’s first family dog. He was an Irish black lab mix, born on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004 and lived well into his TEENS! From what I’ve been told, he was a pretty quiet canine, and only barked when he had something important to say. 

I guess he used to take himself fishing for hours and go on long walks alone. Can you imagine? Why would any dog want to wander around alone – I have no idea. If I want to go for a walk or want any kind of attention at all from my hoomans, I sit right in front of them and STARE. If that doesn’t work I get as close as possible and put my nose on their blankets and STARE HARDER. Works every time. (See the pictures below as a guide for you young pups).  

If you want to get your hooman’s attention – sit directly in front of them and STARE.

If that that doesn’t work, move closer and STARE HARDER.

Anyway, I guess old Great Grandpa Kirbs musta been pretty courageous to wander around the woods alone. I think that’s how most old dogs were back in the day. They didn’t have memory foam beds, Kongs, or even Chewy.com. It musta been pretty ruff. Wandering alone was probably their only entertainment! 

From what I hear, ole Kirbs had manners too. I guess he didn’t beg at the dinner table or take and shred-up used tissues out of the trashcan. I try really hard to have manners but sometimes that hooman food looks so good – I just can’t look away! Don’t ask me about the tissues. I know it’s wrong – I just can’t help myself. 

I suppose us young pups could learn a few things from old dogs like Kirby. Like, only BARK BARK BARK when there is a good reason; and that it’s ok to venture out alone as long as we come home when called; and last but not least (cuz I’m really trying on this one) to use manners.  

Although I never met Great Grandpa Kirby, I’m grateful he was here to love my hoomans first and that he taught them to be good canine caregivers. I can tell he took good care of them and that they still miss him – because when they tell his stories – they smile but in a kinda sad way. 

So as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this week friends – let’s take a minute to honor those who came before us by filling our days with patience, curiosity, and good manners. I am sure we all know an old dog like Kirby – someone who was here for a little while, taught us a whole lot, and then left our world a better place. CHEERS to the old dogs for all the love, laughs, and lessons they gave us while they were here. I have some pretty big tracks to fill – but I hope Great Grandpa Kirby would be proud. Happy trails my friend!

An Irish Blessing for Old Dogs

  May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your tail.

May the sunshine warm upon your whiskers.

May the rain fall gently in your woods.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you by the paw in His hand.

Bark at you soon – your friend,

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Today I decided to DIG! I find it so therapeutic to crunch my paws through the icy top layer of snow and dig into the dirt. Nothin better than a deep dive in the dirt to make this canine explorer feel alive! As I was digging, I got to thinking about March and everything I love about the springtime. The birds chirping, the mud filling my nostrils, sunshine on my shoulders – all of it felt like spring was cheering me on to keep digging deeper and deeper. It felt so good! 

It wasn’t until I was about waist deep when I realized that my hoomans were probably not going to be in favor of this type of therapy. While I am an extraordinarily superior minded canine, even I can not hide the fact that I dug a three foot hole and am a white dog full of black mud. The problem loomed. You know that feeling in your stomach that hits you like you ate a whole cake when you only meant to eat one piece? That is exactly how I felt. One minute I was on top of the world and then next – sick as a dog (and I hate that expression). 

“Why me!” I cried to no one listening. The stupid birds were still chirping and the sun was blinding me. I was going to be in so much trouble. It would be so easy just to bury my head in the dirt – but I knew I was going to have to crawl out of this hole eventually. I was gonna have to make that long walk up the driveway full of mud and shame when only moments ago life was so great and I was so full of joy. 

Sometimes we all get carried away – caught up in the moment – even when we know better. But we gotta do the right thing and own our behavior and sometimes – even apologize. So if you find yourself digging yourself in deep this week – and you just aren’t sure how to get yourself out – take my advice and stop digging! Go to your favorite hooman and ask for help. Even if you have to sit in a corner until the mud dries, it is better just to own your mistake than to dig yourself in deeper. 

In the end it worked out for me. Ya, I got scolded a bit and had to go to the dog spa, but it wasn’t the end of the world. As my hooman wiped my muddy paws, I smothered her face in sloppy apology kisses. She ended up laughing, then hugging, then she ruffled my ears and said “silly dog” (which sounded a lot like I love you).  

So friends, as we head in to this first full muddy week of March, I just wanted to let you know there is no hole too deep that you can not climb out of – you just have to stop digging. Sometimes you may be in deep. Sometimes you can’t hide the mud. Just stop digging, ask for forgiveness and apologize. And if someone you know has dug themselves into a hole, then comes to you muddy with their tail between their legs – show some kindness, help them clean themselves up and call them a silly dog. 

I’ll bark at ya next week – your friend,

Today my adventure started with plans for a nap. I was looking for a warm spot to sunbathe and wandered into the mudroom. There, shining like a beacon on my favorite fox toy was a rainbow! I know you have all heard the stories of leprechauns, rainbows and pots of gold. Well today, on this sunny March afternoon, I was experiencing the Irish phenomenon – LIVE! I knew I was going to have to act fast if I was going to capture the gold at the end of the rainbow. Sunbathing would have to wait. 

I sprung into action and collapsed upon the rainbow, hoping to force the leprechaun out of hiding. The sneak somehow escaped my attempt to smother him – so I knew it was time to head out into the woods and begin my canine adventure in search of that feisty leprechaun and my pot of gold!

Dreams of fame and fortune swirled in my head as I began the leprechaun hunt down my favorite trail. I knew I was hot on his tail when I discovered some clover. Four-leaf clovers are another sign of good luck and I thought between the rainbow and the clover – that leprechaun did not stand a chance. The clover ended up being wintergreen which is pretty common in Michigan woods – but no matter. I was going to be RICH! I was going to be able to buy the fanciest squeaky balls in the toy aisles of Petco and all the tastiest treats at PetSmart!

My search continued as I looked in the crook of old oak trees. Nothing. I tried sniffing him out under fallen poplar wood. Still nothing. As I slugged through the slushy snow, I started thinking about luck and how quickly it felt like mine had run out.

Luck has a way of making me feel extra special one minute and then like a loser of a game I never wanted to play the next. When I saw my fox lit up like a rainbow in the mudroom – I felt like the winner of a contest I didn’t even know I entered. I was so close to that gold that I didn’t even know I wanted and spent the whole day chasing it! As the day faded, so did my dreams of fancy squeaky toys and tasty treats. All of a sudden I realized I never did get that nap.

As the day grew longer, the trail drew colder. No more clover clues or rainbows. I began to think maybe I’d have to return home empty handed. Not special like I thought I was. Not lucky after all.

As I walked up the path to my house I heard a familiar bark. It was my cousin-dog, Wags. I haven’t seen Wags in awhile. Then, I caught a whiff of something cooking on the grill. The grill hasn’t been out since last fall. What are the odds that all these wonderful things happening today? As I jogged up the trail to meet Wags, I could hear my hoomans who were outside laughing with my aunt and uncle hoomans. I picked up my pace to meet my family and thought – I am the luckiest dog in the WORLD! Who needs leprechauns? 

As you head into your week this week I hope you find yourself surrounded with the good fortune of family and friends. Do not waste your time chasing rainbows, leprechauns or searching for pots of gold. Rather spend that time with those that love you because time is way is more valuable than any pot of gold. And never – EVER – give up the opportunity to nap in the sunshine.

Bark at you next week – your friend, 

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The ice storm has passed and February is almost in our rear view mirror. The sun was out today and soon it will be time to say HELLO to my good friend March. March is one of my favorite months – not only because my hoomans are Irish and they love to celebrate St. Patrick’s day, but for so many reasons! Here are my top three favorite things about March – (1) it’s prime basketball season and I am a Michigan State Spartan – GO GREEN! (2) in March we “spring ahead” and celebrate daylight savings time which means I get to spend more time outside exploring, and (3) things start to BLOOM in my woods and I get to share all my new discoveries with you! Sign-up for my weekly posts – I will try to drop a new story every week!