❤Rest in peace my Jackie Daniels ~ Forever love ~ forever and ever❤
October 15, 2008 - November 8, 2015
Jackie’s story began at 8 wks old when she picked me. When we drove home on that December day I had no idea how this cute little puppy was going to change my life forever.
Prior to me even getting Jackie I knew I wanted a Certified Therapy Dog. I saw the power of it first-hand when my mom was ill and Misty, a very special dog, would come and visit her. At one year of age Jackie passed her test and was now a Certified Therapy Dog! To my astonishment, the woman testing me/Jackie was Misty's caretaker that would come and visit my mom, it had come full circle and now was our time to pay it forward. We regularly visited facilities and brought smiles to many people. One visit in particular will always stand out. Before entering the resident's room, the aid told me the woman did not speak. This did not matter to me, I would approach her just as I did with every other person we visited. Before we walked out of the woman's room that day the resident whispered "I want to roll with her in a field". Even as I write this, I tear up ~Jackie touched that woman that day and she continues to inspire and amaze me every single day.
Jackie was a typical puppy, full of life, mischief and non-stop energy ~ she was always stealing something from somewhere and just wanting to play. I think fondly back on the time when at the end of the day Mark and I celebrated that big sigh she would let out, telling us her energy had run out and it was time for sleep.
At nine months of age Jackie was diagnosed with EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency). Jackie lost 20 lbs in two weeks and her body was fading away before our eyes. Everything I read on the internet led me to believe there was a good chance we would lose her. My friend Donna found a website www.epi4dogs.com and with their love, support and even laughter, Jackie was brought back to health. I am eternally grateful to Olesia, the forum owner, and all the people of Epi4Dogs who give unselfishly of their time to help others overcome this disease. Jackie is now happy and stable and was even featured in an article in the NY Times on EPI - click here for the article.
Jackie was not open to Reiki in the beginning and even now sometimes she tells me "no" on receiving it. If I was in the room sharing Reiki with myself - she would leave. Jackie went as far as chewing one of my Animal Reiki books - a clear sign she was not ready for it! I always honored what was there for her and slowly she has come around. In 2012 Jackie faced many health challenges - ACL surgery, MRSS (methicillin resistant staph schleiferi), Mega-E with aspiration pneumonia and IVDD. Through it all, Jackie allowed me to share Reiki with her (sometimes only from a distance) and I know Reiki helped with her healing. Today I am happy to say Jackie is clear of her MRSS and her MegaE is fully under control.
Through all of Jackie's adversity she let the gentle energy of Reiki help her and just be with her. I am so so proud of my girl. Today she is happy and healthy, managing all of her challenges and she is perfect. There is not enough room on the whole internet for me to write what she means to me, what she has taught me, how she has changed my life for the better. Suffice it to say, I love my girl with all my being.