When Jackson came to the farm, he walked and smelled things and seemed to be searching for something. We all take journeys searching for things we know and like, and it’s nice to be in a familiar place. Jackson came into the house and went to a dog bed, folding his front paw under his body as I had seen someone else do so many times before. He seemed to be home, if for just a little while, but I remembered he “is” a rescue dog.
Later that night, Elaine said, “It’s almost too painful to look at Jackson.” “Don’t go there, I know, it’s killing me too,” and we both knew what we were talking about. Jackson is the spitting image of Clancy, and all my emotions were coming out as I knew Jackson only had a few days with us, and it was getting shorter because he was going to his new home in a few days. I am torn about what to do. “Do we need another dog?” I asked myself, but my question was answered.
“No, I’m passing through; you needed me, I’m more than you know, and yes, you do know.” In my mind, I could hear Clancy talking, but could I? “We all have bumps in the road, and sometimes things don’t go as planned; I have seen you struggle, and I came to help. I’m always close by, never leaving your side, just like you told me once. I must leave, go where I'm needed because others are waiting."
I closed my eyes and had to think. Why did a dog come into my life that looked exactly like my Clancy? He had the same ears, hair, eyes, and build. He even has a half collar on the same side, which is unique. There must be a reason.
Jackson left this Sunday morning for his new home in upstate New York. His new parent has acres of land for him to run and play on.
I have to ask myself why "That" dog, who looks identical to Clancy, comes into a shelter in another state. I took the evaluation on a fluke because I was traveling through Kentucky and had just stopped by. Why does Jackson feel at home and sleep in Clancy’s old dog bed when we have nearly 10 of them? Something may be in the works that we don’t know, but I sat in the Adirondack chairs at Clancy's grave just a week ago and said, “Clancy, we need some help on this one.” It’s been a rough week, and a visitor just happened to stop by the farm to help out. His Dream Lives… Ken
