Jazz was attacked by a Black Lab mix about 4 pm on Saturday, June 21, 1997. He wanted to go out front and check his territory, and I foolishly opened the garage door and let him out. He came back for a moment, and I closed the door, but he went back out. I opened it again and waited for him. I heard a growl and a shriek from Jazz to the right, not far away, but I couldn't see what was happening. The Lab came into view and disappeared. Jazz staggered in and I closed the door.
The same Lab mauled him about a year ago, and I hadn't seen him out since I told the owner to control him then. Jazz took a week that time to recover from his internal injuries, but he didn't bleed. This time he came inside and bled all over the house, trying to find a way to get comfortable, suffering seizures. Beh had gone to Lake Charles for the day to gamble with her family. She fussed about leaving me so long, but I told her not to worry. She left at 8 am. I couldn't call her or anyone. I just had to wait.
He stopped bleeding and I got him to go outside where there was water. I wanted him to stay out there. A short while later he was back inside. Going through his doggie door had reopened his wounds, and he lay on the bathroom floor in front of me a moment, leaving a pool of blood when he left to wander again.
At 6:00 pm a storm came up, knocking out power. I couldn't find him anymore, so I thought he was dead in the closet. At 9:30 pm Beh arrived, and he came out to greet her. I was relieved. The power came back on. We gave him a little water. When I went to bed about midnight, he came out and threw up by the bed, but seemed like he was going to make it, lying down and sleeping.
Sometime during the night he moved around again, maybe tried to go in and out through the doggie door, and started bleeding again. In the morning, Beh found him dead in the closet.
We went to the owner of Max, the other dog. He was sorry, but claimed it was another dog that looks just like Max. He came over and we buried Jazz in the front yard where he ran free and safe behind the fence. I will miss him. He was my good little buddy for seven years. At least he didn't die in diseased old age. I feel bad though, that I couldn't get him to a Vet to stop his bleeding and save his life. I'll never know.
... An excerpt from, Hanging by a Thread, my autobiography.
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Reviewed by JoAnne Cromp
3/9/2024
Deeply in mourning for precious little Jazz. His life mattered!!!!!! I know you don't believe in an afterlife but I do sense his energy never dies, just changes matter like Einstein said. My dearest friend Ron, I have no words. I'm mourning as if he were my own little son..
I know you have healed but the pain still remains to some degree...Stay strong...In our last breath of life on earth life we will know, sense, feel everything, see everything with new eyes. Hoping your day brother is so deeply beautiful...
A long time ago, but I bet it still hurts. Reminds me our little buddy, Powell. That neighbor was a turkey! I always feel guilty when pets get hurt or have to be "put down." We seem to know what they are saying until these times when they're hurt. I'm sure Jazz knew how much you cared and how much you wanted to help him. That's tough. Very sorry that happened.
You did the best you could under this tough situation . It infuriates me when people do not take responsibility for their pet . That's so hard that your precious little friend got mauled by that Lab . When I lived in New York, the neighbor's dog (German Shepherd ) bit me . I have been afraid of big dogs since that unfortunate moment in my childhood. I do like small dogs. I also adore cats, but much to my dismay my children are allergic to cats . So sorry you suffered this loss.
Since this is only part one, I am surprised by Lucy at the end. What made that gray rock disappear? A smile? The title would suggest that Red is on her way to a boring job along a very familiar path. But the end of this part seems to blow that theory out of my head. I am pleased that you chose Jazz as the name of Red's furry friend. If you don't know why, here is my story about a dog named Jazz.
Oh my goodness...this would be so devastating! It was difficult for us to lose our Angel to bone cancer, but to lose your beloved pet to another animal brings anger with the grief too. I could feel the helplessness you must have felt in your words. I am so sorry. I also believe in the 'Rainbow Bridge'. He will be there for you.
I see the puppy and the nice Monte Carlo behind you, circa '77...
He, Jazz will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, when you both are whole again and able to play together! Check out the poem, author unknown about Rainbow bridge it always makes me cry a bit...
http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm
Hope you find it of comfort, Ron...Peace, Ed & Rufuz (w00f)
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