Rest In Peace Jax

Today we had to say good-bye to the best four-legged companion in the world, Jax.  Honestly, it came as shock to all of us to find out he had a blood cancer and would either live for a couple more days without surgery or a few months with surgery and chemo.

Since coming back to the U.S., Jax played frisbee, went on long walks, and swam in the Potomac like he normally would.  He seemed happy and healthy.  Then a few days before he passed away, he stopped eating and drinking and could no longer walk.  We rushed him to the vet who later told us that he had a tumor in his lymph node, stomach (which prevented him from eating/drinking), and one pressing on his spine which explained why Jax couldn't walk.

Deciding whether or not to put your dog down is not an easy conversation to have.  But we knew we didn't want Jax to suffer anymore than he already had.  So the whole family went back to the vet together and stayed by Jax's side until he took his last breath.

Robbie and I have 13 amazing years of memories with Jax.  He has crossed the U.S. twice with us, hiked countless trails, camped in beautiful forests, swam (and canoed) in oceans, rivers, and lakes, trained for marathons, caught thousands of frisbees, lived in Bangladesh for two years.  He tolerated our kids poking at his eyes, pulling his tail, and riding him like a horse when they were too young to understand not to.  He also made us laugh, kept us safe, and welcomed us home everyday.  Jax was a great dog and he will be missed by all of us.

Rest in peace, my friend.