Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground

JACKSON – March 31, 2024

It is with a broken heart and deep sadness I announce the death of Jackson. We said our final goodbyes at the Faro Animal Hospital where he was being treated for kidney failure. He would have celebrated his 13th birthday this coming summer. I had the joy and honour of having him in my life for almost seven years. He is deeply missed. His winter sojourn in the Algarve was an energetic and fun filled experience. He loved his walks and hikes, playing with Sven and Sven and spending time with Sue, Aus, Karine and Guido. He dearly loved the hikes with Randy, Patricia and Gary and was always on the look out for treat from a certain person’s pocket! Hanging out with Randy and Marc was also very special. The final two weeks of his life were a rapid slide downhill that ended peacefully. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support and love during this very difficult time. Jackson’s cremains are currently at the quinta in Estoi and will return home with me in 2025. Here are some images from his life. May he rest in peace and rise in joy. (N.B. Writing this text has been an ongoing process with frequent lapses of memory!)

He proved to be an excellent traveller and took on any new situation with aplomb. Portuguese dogs didn’t phase him one bit and as for the cats, well, that was another story! Going anywhere in the car was a treat for him and me. He was my trusty copilot and every once in a while, I would glance over to the passenger seat to find him gazing up at me soulfully and adoringly. And then he would curl up and snooze until we arrived at our destination. And that’s how it ended, he was snuggled into my arms wrapped in his favourite blanket as he gently drifted away.