22/03/2025
A tribute to Jack.
I can't possibly get close to understanding the sadness felt by Jack's family right now. Sadly, he passed away last week. This news stopped me in my tracks when I recieved a message from his owner.
Jack will always be very special to me as he was one of my very first home consultation clients over seven years ago, and we've kept in touch throughout his life. I was called in to help a young Jack Russell who had been rehomed to a lovely family, settle into his new home and iron out a few undesireable behaviours he was having. He presented with HEAPS of "terrier spirit" (anyone who knows terriers knows what that means 😂), enthusiam for life but with a few anxieties about the world. When I first walked through the door and set my bag of training bits and bobs on the table, Jack was immediately into it! He just had to insert his schnoz into a small opening and pushed open the zip to fully access the treasures within, I remember that moment well 😆
Denny worked so hard with him over the years. She was absolutely brilliant in balancing the need to go and face the world to train against his "triggers" (e.g. barking at passing cars) with giving him enough relax/sleep time, giving him mental enrichment at home and providing him with an outlet to "be a terrier". One of his favourite things was to sniff and dig after scent trails left by rodents in the long grass of the local fields. I enjoyed being sent videos of his antics.
I was very lucky to have Jack take part in many training sessions with me over the years. He joined a general class, passed his IMDT graded class, took part in Rally and dabbled in Parkour which proved fun and useful on walks.
Jack enjoyed singing the song of his people. Sometimes it could be to communicate feeling uncomfortable about something, but often he just shouted with enthusiasm at whatever he was doing. I'll never forget that voice! 😆
Jack landed on his feet with Denny and family. He had found people who were dedicated to helping him and accepted him for who he was.
Jack, you've left a big hole in the lives of those that knew you, but left us with a whole host of memories to make us smile.
Dogology is a qualified, reward-based dog training school in Essex offering Agility, Hoopers & Rally.
