This was our sweet boy, Jäger. We adopted him when he was about 1 1/2 years old. While the other dogs ran around willy-nilly, Jäger came up to me and sat under my chair at the California German Shorthaired Pointer rescue. ♥ I instantly knew he was mine, and I was his! ♥ We had the great pleasure of loving Jäger for 2 1/2 years. He was the sweetest dog we've ever owned. He didn't have the best of eyesight, but his nose was superior. Jäger was a great hunter, as his name implied. He loved to get rabbits, lizards, and squirrels, snag the tennis ball from Diesel, and to run down the trail to the creek with Diesel and Michael. If we said, "Get the BUNNIES!" he would look for rabbits and squirrels. If we said, "CHICKENS!", he would tear off running to the chicken coop when we went to feed the hens and gather eggs. He loved to get tucked in at night, and wouldn't move an inch until morning. Every morning, he'd sleep in 2 hours longer than Diesel. Then, come over to get pets from me. He loved to give kisses in return. We would say, "Show me your junk!" and he'd lift his leg so you could pet his belly. Jäger was snake trained in avoidance - and would make a beeline for his doghouse if given the command, "SNAKE, SNAKE, RUN AWAY!" He was terrified of snakes. Unfortunately, he happened upon a rattler without warning and was fatally injured from the neurotoxin venom on 1 Apr 2011. Sadly, he died at sunrise on 2 Apr 2011, just 14 hours after getting multiple bites from a rattlesnake the afternoon before. We gave it our all in giving him immediate medical attention at the Ramona Animal Hospital. Jäger was afforded every medication, test, and support possible at the 24 hour Animal Urgent Care in Escondido. The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake pumped a devastating amount of venom into him. Jäger was approximately 4 years old when he died. We miss him tremendously.

~ Treasured Friend ~
I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
His gentle head upon my knee
And share his silent thoughts with me...
...He'll come no longer to my call
Retrieve no more his favorite ball
A voice far greater than my own
Has called him to His golden throne.
Although my eyes are filled with tears,
I thank Him for the happy years
He let him spend down here with me
And for his love and loyalty.
When it is time for me to go
And join him there, this much I know...
I shall not fear the transient dark
For he will greet me with his bark.

Rest in peace, my sweet, sweet doggy. ♥