Saturday, March 16, 2013Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2008. Though Mattie may look healthy, he was already diagnosed with cancer. Mattie was pictured with our resident Jack Russell Terrier, JJ. Mattie and JJ basically grew up together. JJ and his owner live several doors down from us in our complex. Though JJ wasn't Mattie's dog they had a very special bond. JJ responded to Mattie and really wanted his attention, love, and time to play together.
Quote of the day: A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty. ~ John Grogan
Peter and I had the opportunity to talk to our neighbor, JP. JP is the owner of JJ, our resident Jack Russell Terrier. JP shared a story with us and also reminded me of what happened along time ago between Mattie and JJ. One day when Mattie was outside in our commons area playing, JJ ran up to him. Mattie had his old sandals on. Honestly these sandals were so worn they couldn't be donated, but needed to be tossed in the trash. JJ was fascinated by Mattie's sandals and literally pulled a sandal right off of Mattie's foot and ran back home with it. We all laughed over this, but by the time we got to JJ's home, he hid the sandal from us. He clearly did not want us to find it. Needless to say the sandal was old, and I was frankly happy JJ took it as a play toy so that Mattie would wear his new sandals.
JP told me that after Mattie died, he was cleaning out JJ's toy basket and found Mattie's old sandal. So he threw it out into his kitchen trash can. The next morning when he woke up, JJ had knocked over the trash can and took all the trash out just to retrieve the sandal. That was JJ's message that this part of Mattie was needed and it wasn't meant for the garbage. In fact, after Mattie died, JJ was depressed. He did not want to eat and was lethargic. JJ would also come down to our door and sit on our doorstep hoping to see Mattie again.
Recently, JP said he was sitting in his apartment and JJ ran up to him with something in his mouth. What was it???!!! Yes it was Mattie's sandal. It is hard to believe that this sandal has out survived Mattie and even more amazing that JJ would still be attached to this item. I think it speaks to the loyalty, connection, and bond they shared with each another.
JJ attends our Mattie Miracle Walk each year and rest assured he is always recognized by one of our faith blog readers. Mattie always wanted a dog, and though he never technically had one, I am happy he did experience the special love that only an animal can provide. In Mattie's case he had the love of Patches as well as JJ, "man's best friend!"
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