Jean-Luc Picardigan: His Own Post
Back on February 3rd of this year, I posted about Jean-Luc Picardigan’s growing difficulties–managing his new deafness with his old brain injury. At the time, I felt in my heart that he could not overcome this new burden, and for the most part I was right. The summer was a time of trying and failing to find strategies that would improve his quality of life, even as his ability to manage continued to diminish. I began to wonder how he would handle the cold months, with their less flexible circumstances–especially as being outside a majority of his time seemed the only thing that calmed him.
Jean-Luc, however, has taken that concern out of my hands. With the discovery of a critical problem this past week, I’m suddenly in a position where treating this dog who is barely managing is not an option, and not treating him is not an option. So even as you read this, I have taken him out for some last moments on the agility field that proved to be his saving-grace therapy–poles on the ground, A-frame lowered until it’s almost flat–and I am now about to say good-bye…or am saying good-bye…or have just done so.
The decision and the loss, the agonizing over what’s right…it’s all the cost of our time together. I won’t say it’s gladly paid, but I can only say it is so very worth it, for what we get from these short years. Still, for today, I am rather quiet–but here’s an excerpt from that February post…
So…it happens. Dogs go deaf. Some sooner than others. So it is with Jean-Luc Picardigan, nearly twelve years old but otherwise robust.
Well…if you don’t count the brain injury.
But it turns out that the brain injury might just matter.
…
Though really, he’s always been a wonder in his own way. Cheysuli Jean-Luc Picardigan OJP NAP OJC NAC CGC started his agility training as therapy–awkward, spatially challenged, and easy to overwhelm–and was never expected to enter an agility ring, never mind earn Open-level titles and his CGC (canine good citizen). He even won a startling handful of red and blue placement ribbons along the way–he not only ran agility, he ended up loving it and doing it well!
And the picture up there is how I’ll remember Jean-Luc–that bright, sweet brown eye peering out at the world, trying his best to make it his own.
August 30th, 2010 at 04:51
*HUGS*
August 30th, 2010 at 05:49
*HUGS*
August 30th, 2010 at 05:56
This was sent to me this weekend and I thought about Jean-Luc and you. When God takes something from your grasp, He’s not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Remember in your hands Jean Luc had a wonderful life. Much better than anyone thought he could, I bet some people thought he could not have a life. You did good and he was happy
August 30th, 2010 at 06:14
You gave him an opportunity to shine, to make sense of his life. You protected him, up to and including this. I’ve gone through that as well. It hurts, but it’s another aspect of our taking care of our canine children. Knowing what’s best for them. You did the right thing. For Jean Luc.
August 30th, 2010 at 06:48
*hugs*
He will wait for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm
August 30th, 2010 at 07:02
no matter how long, always too short.
August 30th, 2010 at 07:29
My sympathies, Doranna. It’s always sounded to me as if Jean-Luc was very lucky to have you for an owner. Thank you for sharing his triumphs with us.
August 30th, 2010 at 09:44
I’m so sorry, Doranna.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:30
You gave him a great life. Now he can play with Kacey and Strider.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:35
I’m so sorry. His Uncle Kaz must have been delighted to see him; my old man went in his sleep back in April. He’d gone deaf, too, and was nearly blind, but had managed until his body just couldn’t hold him any more.
Extra hugs from Cousin Spot today, and all the Fat White Bodhisattvas.
August 30th, 2010 at 13:42
Hurts to lose 1; i’ve lost 6 cats in my long life. But cats come back; 1′s come back 2ce! Losing Jean-Luc – I can’t imagine the pain. As has been said, you gave him love & protection, which is *big* for animals, perhaps more than we can imagine! Rest assured, he’s now hearing perfectly, & missing you … A bit ’cause there’s so *much* to explore where he now lives. Rest well tonight & maybe you’ll See him in your dreams, where he’ll doubtless reassure you – pets can talk in dreams!
August 30th, 2010 at 13:42
It posted! Huzzah!
August 30th, 2010 at 14:29
Hugs, sweetie. I’m so sorry.
August 30th, 2010 at 15:06
((hugs))
I’m so sorry, Doranna.
August 30th, 2010 at 15:50
Having known you for so long I know that no one else could have or would have given him the quality of life that he had with you. You were both truly blessed to have had the time together. The love remains and time will help that love overcome the pain.
August 30th, 2010 at 17:05
::hugs::
August 30th, 2010 at 17:18
::hugs to you and the pack::
August 31st, 2010 at 00:44
Jean-Luc’s life was full, because you gave him more to live for! Many owners would not have been able, or willing, to do that!
It’s so hard to let them go, even when you know that its the right thing, at the right time. I hope you find comfort in the knowledge that he is young, and happy, and frapping with all of his friends and making new friends every day at the ‘Bridge- until you can come and run another course with him!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Doranna
August 31st, 2010 at 07:04
I’m so sorry for your loss.
“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan. . .
“The Once Again Prince,” Separate Lifetimes, by Irving Townsend”"
August 31st, 2010 at 14:17
Lots of HUGS, Dee. This is such a painful thing to go through. Wish I was there…
August 31st, 2010 at 15:59
Wow. It’s been so very nice to see how many people care about this…
I thought about responding individually, but then I thought…you know, it’ll just clutter up what to me is an important group of posts. So I hope you’ll forgive me; I did respond, silently, to each of these posts, and I appreciate every one of them.
As I said elsewhere, I’ve spent the day trying to figure out how a yard can have three energetic dogs in it and still seem empty. I have the feeling the answer is both inexplicable and obvious. But there’s a reason I keep coming back to read these posts–thank you!
September 1st, 2010 at 09:29
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Robin