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SSsshhhh.  Roxy Sleeps.

DOG - Noun, animal.  Definition - a common animal with four legs, especially kept by people as a pet or to hunt or guard things.

Let me introduce you to our family pet.  An eight year old Jack Russell called Roxy.  If asked to describe her, I would say very loving, faithful, fickle, loyal, playful, knows her own mind, rules the house, dependable, fussy, and most of all, very female.  In fact we call her a 'HUMOG' (cross between human and dog).

As a family we have always had a dog.  Our first one was a Golden Labrador, joined soon by a Husky cross, then came our little Skye Terrier and finally Roxy.  Roxy came into our family eight years ago.  A small bundle of fun that could sit in the palm of your hand.  The runt of the litter and the only one with spots on her body instead of patches.  It was love at first sight when we saw her with her mum, dad and siblings.

Being so small, she enjoyed numerous cuddles.  Jack Russell's are known to be snappy dogs and the one thing I didn't want was that.  I was determined that our little girl was going to be the opposite.  Some would say daft as a brush.  I would say really loving.  A Jack Russell is one of the hardest breeds to train, they have the shortest memory span and know their own mind.  Roxy definitely knows hers.  She runs the household with canine efficiency.  We all dance to her tune.  She loves to sit on your knee and fall asleep, sit at the front window watching the world go by, sleep on the bed as well as in the bed, is not particularly impressed with any dog food presented to her, very fussy, yet loves fresh chicken and Tuna fish, and if you mention the words 'walk' or 'lead' she's at the back door in a flash. 

Currently, Roxy is feeling broody.  She has never had a litter, mainly because we never wanted her to and secondly because she frightened of other dogs.  Seriously, she's petrified.  When we are out with her, if a dog approaches, you should see her run.  Back to us, a leap into your arms and she shakes like a leaf.  Anyway, back to Roxy being broody.  It happens on average three times or so a year.  She'll wake up and then go searching for her red, rubber dinosaur.  That is her favourite 'baby'.  Next is a plastic hot dog toy, and finally a red rubber duck.  Once these are together it's time to make a nest for them all.  It's usually on Vicky's bed, all wrapped up in her fluffy dressing gown and God help you if you go to move them or even touch them.

This time round she has been moaning and barking at 'her babies'.  When they really annoy her, she will throw them put of the nest in disgust.  Today, she stood at the top of the stairs with Dino, the red dinosaur, and threw it down the stairs.  Wonder what it did to warrant that punishment?  She brought it into where we were sitting an dropped him on the floor.  Up she jumped onto my knee and straight onto the dining table.  From here she can see out of the window and also have a cuddle with me.  

Training a Jack Russell is hard work.  Training OUR Jack Russell was virtually impossible.  She has a mind of her own and if she doesn't want to do it, not even chocolate will get her interested.  Our youngest son, Hazen, tried teaching her a few tricks and then gave up, deciding playing and tormenting her was more fun.  He still does it now, when he comes home.  To anyone who has a dog, they will know the welcome you get when you come home.  No matter what sort of day you've had, it's all forgotten when your dog rushes to greet you.  They are full of unconditional love and give it without question.  Roxy does just that with us.  I have sat with her and told her things that I would never tell another person, cried into her neck, reached for her when I have felt there was no-one else and held her close when I have felt so alone and wondered what I'm doing on this earth.  She knows when you feel like the world is spinning too fast and slows it all down.  How?  I don't know.  She shares her love between us and our friends.  

What would I do without Roxy?  The honest answer is I don't know.  She makes me laugh on a daily basis, she loves me unconditionally and never asks for anything in return, she annoys me sometimes and gets under my feet, she knows when to leave me alone and also when I need someone, she is my sanity in my depressed world.  She is definitely 'mum's dog', but for the time being, Dino, Hot dog and the duck are her priority and sleeping on Vicky's bed is infinitely better that sitting here with me. xx