The year was 2003, month of September, when Shirley, Jambo and I drove to Alpine, CA from Portland, OR. We stopped one night at a motel that welcomed dogs.
Jambo, as usual, was a hit with everyone. Such a gentleman; going potty on command and where directed, always staying by my side, on or off leash, no problem in the room , a bark only if someone actually knocked on the door.
Bouviers don't shed; instead you will find small clumps of hair where they have scratched the undercoat which is easily picked up and not a problem with housekeeping personnel.
Where did he eat? Usually on the pavement of a market parking lot or outside our motel room. It seemed easier to just buy fresh chicken instead of freezing and thawing on the road. We always had bottled water available.
We arrived in Alpine, CA. to visit my baby sister in the afternoon of the second day. Maggie has two cats which Jambo ignored. Later that evening, Jambo and I walked to a market about 2-3 blocks away to get some coffee.
He was on a short (15") leash. When we arrived at the store, I put Jambo in a down/stay position, one that had worked for years. I quickly picked up a small can of coffee and was waiting in line to pay when I heard some kids noisily laughing outside.
Not more than 3 minutes later I went outside. NO JAMBO! I ran through the parking lot, calling him in a loud, frantic voice, but there was no sign of Jambo. Up and down the streets I ran like a crazy man calling my friend. Exhausted from all this running and calling, I returned to the area to find Jambo's body near the curb on the other side of the street.
No blood, just Jambo lying peacefully. I picked him up and attempted mouth to nose/mouth, but there was no response. I cried, bawled would be a better word, cussing myself for not using a longer leash so he could by tied up outside.
A short while later the police showed up. Then an off duty deputy arrived, it was his 17 year old daughter that hit Jambo. She was terribly upset, she wasn't to blame but it still bothered her. The deputy went home to bring a small trailer; while I held Jambo, saying my goodbyes. We took Jambo to a veterinary clinic.
Walking into that pet clinic, carrying Jambo was so hard. Leaving him there alone was even more difficult. Talking with others I pieced together what happened. The laughing kids tried to grab Jambo's leash, he wouldn't hurt them so he just ran and they chased after him. His run ended as he almost crossed the busy street.
Perhaps I will be able to forgive myself someday, having Bliss around has been a blessing but she can't entirely fill Jambo's spot. He was so good with his down/stay! He waited outside many, many times with absolutely no problems.
It took only this one problem, only this one time, now he remains on the mantle and in our hearts.
I belonged to a Bouvier network and when my friends learned about Jambo's demise, the word went out. Offers to get me another Bouvier came from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada; up and down the East coast, Texas, New Mexico, California, Washington and Idaho.
Shirley and I drove to Idaho where we met a wonderful lady, Jay Campion, on Halloween Day of 2003. Jay had called me saying a friend who was a psychic, had told her she could see Bliss lying at the feet of an elderly gentleman.
Bliss and I took a walk together, she then jumped in our car and off to the motel we went. She was a bit nervous but the night passed without incident. She ate kibble Jay had been feeding her and off to Portland we went!
Bliss is now 8 years old, yes you can usually see her lying at my feet. She has been a great help in my grief over Jambo.
I feel so stupid, still grieving. Maggie is the only remaining member of my birth family. Why didn't I grieve this way about Mother, Dad and my other Sister? Is it because Jambo was with me 24/7? I doubt I will ever understand.
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