Well today is the day I knew was coming and I have been dreading it for some time now. Jasper made his last trip and it was over the rainbow bridge. To say I am heartbroken would be an understatement however it does not take long to realize how lucky I was to have him. So many awesome memories come flooding back.

In 2008 I made a trip to the dog pound in Greensboro just to “look around”! All of a sudden I saw Jasper and it was love at first sight. I asked if I could get him out of his cage and take him to the play area. They had a ball there and I threw it for him but he just sat and stared up at me. Then he jumped up on me and I am not sure why I did it but I picked him up. He immediately put both of his front legs around my neck. He held on so tight that I could let him go and he did not fall. Well of course I was getting this crazy dog.

Move forward a few years and Lyn arrived from Singapore. Of course Jasper loved that. Another person that he could call his own. When she first arrived she could not work and she spent every day with him all day while I was at work. He loved it and so did she. Having him helped her adjust to her new life in America!

Jasper was always so chill and loved everyone he met. One year Lyn and I had a crazy idea to take a tent camping trip across the country. Of course Jasper came along and was the perfect travel dog. He fit right in wherever we went. He never barked at anyone and let hundreds of kids who were on vacation missing their own dogs pet him on the head.

We took many big trips tent/popup camping around the country and even into Canada. Jasper was always at home whether he was in the Prius, the tent or in the occasional Airbnb. He traveled to 48 states and several provinces in Canada. He even had his picture taken at Lassie’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Over the years we hosted eight international students from China and Jasper welcomed all of them into our home. He quickly learned how to go to each person individually and ask for a dog biscuit. It took us all awhile to figure out that he was getting about 10 biscuits a day ha ha.

Then the pandemic hit and all of a sudden Jasper had us with him all the time. He loved it! Near the end of 2020 we decided to sell everything and move into an RV as our full time home. Of course Jasper came along. He quickly learned that he was allowed on the couch and that when we traveled he had it all to himself. He even figured out how to sleep on the couch and lay his head on my shoulder while we drove along. In other words he was in doggy heaven.

Finally after a year of travel we made one last move to Raleigh and he quickly made our new apartment his home. As long as he was with us he was fine. The feeling went both ways I might add. In fact up until the last few months he would do five mile walks with us every day. I have had many great dogs over the years and not to take anything away from any one of them but Jasper was my once in a lifetime dog! I will forever be grateful that our paths crossed. My life would not be the same without his presence over the last 14 years. So if you are still reading this give your dog an extra hug, belly rub or a dog biscuit (Jasper’s Favorite!) in honor of Jasper!

Things he loved.

His people!

A good nap!

Food Glorious food! Every day Jasper was fed the exact same dry dog food for most of his life. Every day he would dance and spin in circles as I lowered the bowl! It was like I was giving him a 5 star meal every time.

Milk Bones! (See above.)

Walks!

Traveling with us!

Sleeping on Dad and Joanne’s living room couch!

Things he disliked

Sometimes other dogs.

A visit to the vet.

Elevators

Swimming

Sidewalk grates in New York City. He would do whatever it took to avoid them.

Random Things

He had a Facebook page! You can see it here Jasper Miles.

We named our RV after him. You can see a short video of it by clicking here.

 

Montreal

 

Hollywood Walk of Fame

 

School Field Trip

 

Crater Lake National Park

 

Somewhere USA

 

Big Bend National Park

 

Magnolia Beach, Texas

 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

 

Tent Camping Yellowstone National Park

 

Hanging out with Jennifer (One of his international sister’s)

 

Another National Park

 

Hearing the Call of the Wild / Badlands National Park

 

Kayaking with Rheagan

 

Southport, NC

 

Grand Canyon North Rim

 

The day we picked Jasper Up (Thanks Luke)

 

Topsail Beach

 

The Cottage at Topsail Beach (Thanks Adam)

 

Until we meet again!