This Memorial Day I will be remembering one of the toughest and sweetest dogs one could ever know, Jacques Chirac Mackreyes, the wonder dog, who passed away yesterday afternoon. Jacques was 11, half black lab, half flat coat retriever. A five-day kill shelter survivor out of St. Bernard Parish, LA, he and his kennel mate Capisce were sprung in 2002 and have enriched our lives in both imaginable and unimaginable ways. Jacques (along with Capisce and his "sister" Luna) kept what little flicker of faith I have left in me burning, for who knows what end. But great companions of any sort have that effect, I guess. Jacques more than most. There is now a huge void in our home and our hearts, one that currently feels unfillable.
Jacques survived the shelter. Puppy mange. Two jumps out of (slowly) moving vehicles. The aftermath of Katrina. Implantation of a titanium knee. Lymphoma. And who knows how many bad jokes and bad gas from me (oh and he was known to drop a bomb or two himself!) We learned after Katrina that he and his siblings loved to travel, and they traveled well (so many thank yous to the anonymous hotels and hotel staff who opened their doors and hearts to us in the months following Katrina as we attempted to find a place to make camp and take stock). Ultimately we ended up in DC where Jacques flourished. He and his best friend Capisce loved the water and to swim, taking on the mighty Mississippi (don't let your dogs swim in the lower Mississippi-their eyes oozed green gunk for a week afterwards!), the Potomac, the Chesapeake, the Savannah, Lake Erie, the Gulf of Mexico (various spots), Dewey Beach (Atlantic), Juno Beach (Atlantic), Key West (Atlantic and Gulf), along with numerous ponds, streams and pools (their favorite being on S. Carrollton Ave. in New Orleans) east of the Mississippi.
Jacques also loved fireworks. Absolutely LOVED 4th of July in the District. He would "chase" bottle rockets and other larger projectiles for hours. Then sit, exhausted and satisfied, having kept our home safe another year. He chased helicopters and other flying objects with the same Gusto. But his favorites were squirrels and chickens (Key West). He caught numerous squirrels and birds and a possum (all survived, unharmed, although my wife was a bit frazzled by the whole possum incident). To his dismay, he never caught a chicken, though (we would not let him). He was the most patient hunting dog, a master.
Jacques was tough, but extremely gentle. Protective. Loving. Daring. Loyal. Contemplative. Kind. Excited and extremely active outdoors, but a couch potato indoors. He loved children of all ages, and bonded with many infants and toddlers. He so loved the snow.
Thank yous to those of you who have befriended Jacques (and Capisce and Luna) over the years. Particularly those who house sat with them allowing us to take the occasional trip--your time and kindness is most appreciated. Thank yous to our family and friends who have allowed us to intrude on them over the years with Jacques et al, making them feel just as at home as you made us feel. Thank yous to the staff and doctors at Caring Hands for the years of help, and to Dr. Todd in particular this most recent time. And thank yous to the staff and doctors at The Hope Center--you helped Jacques run again following knee surgery, and you gave him (and us) 15 months of joy, companionship, love, cuddles, travels, swims, fireworks, squirrels, snow, and friendship that he likely would not have had otherwise. Dr. McNeil, the call center team, and everyone else who gave Jacques a second home at the Hope center, we are in your debt.
But most of all, thank you Jacques. Your courage and toughness inspired us. Your love and loyalty and gentleness touched us deeper than you can imagine. You will be forever in our memories and our souls. You will be missed.