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This story starts with Angie. In 1996, Angie was 12, and her dream as far back as she could remember was to have a dog of her own. Since her brother, Dan, introduced Rex into our world that summer, her desire for a dog had grown even stronger. Unfortunately our household was already full-up with dogs, and Angie knew her wish wasn't likely to be granted any time soon.
Time passed, and it became apparent that the only thing that would make Angie truly happy was a dog. Mom's being what they are, this one decided that the family home could probably accomodate one more dog, and so a secret plan was hatched.
Taking Dan into her confidence, Mom began a search for a truly special Christmas surprise for Angie. For a month she searched newspaper ads, parking lots and the local animal shelter for just the right dog. A friend had a beautiful but hyper 6 month-old wolfdog available, but its large size and Mom's concern about the fidelity of that breed helped her rule out the awe-inspiring animal. Someone else had a litter of expensive Boxer pups for sale, but were not willing to hold a pup until Christmas day. A neighbor had Cattle Dog pups available, but the mother was nippy, and Mom was worried the pups would grow up to be nippy, too. So the story goes.... many possibilities, but nothing that was just the right fit. Taking a dog into a family means years of commitment and responsibility, and Mom wanted to make sure that Angie would be guaranteed a friend for life.
Then one day Mom and Dan visited the local shelter again. There were many hopeful pups waiting for a new home that chilly winter day--cattle dog pups, lab mix pups, pitbull cross pups--AND two beautiful 3 month-old collie mix puppies. Mom and Dan played with the pups, and chose the cutest, fattest collie pup because of her friendly, outgoing personality. Staff were questioned, and sure enough, the shelter would be willing to hold the pup the 2 weeks until Christmas Eve, when Mom would pick the pup up deliver her to the home of a friend who had agreed to hold the little girl until Christmas day.
Christmas morning came early, as it always does in a house with children, and by 7 a.m. gifts were being opened and exclaimed over and wrapping paper was beginning to cover the floor. Then the doorbell rang and Mom opened the door to allow her friend inside with a wriggling but silent Christmas Surprise. Around the hall they came, and when Angie saw what was in Mom's arms, tears of unadulterated joy sprang into her eyes. Angie finally had her dream come true. She named her pup "Jasmine". I don't know why... I guess she just liked the name.
Years have passed and the love affair between Jazz and Angie has remained steady and strong. Jazz has grown from a cute, chubby bundle of fluff into a huge girl weighing in at over 75 lbs. As you might imagine, Jazzie's favorite passtime is eating. She likes other things, too, but more than anything else, she loves Angie. Jazz may be fat, she certainly shares a certain "aromatic" quality with Boxers, and she really wishes she was an "only dog", but for Jazz and Angie, life is good. Just as it should be with two best friends and a dream come true.