Jasper!
Yesterday I went on a super-secret covert mission deep into the trenches of South Florida to retrieve the newest member of our family: Jasper. A risky mission due to Covid; but fully vaccinated and double masked I felt safe only spending a couple hours behind Covid-enemy lines to bring this adorable French Bulldog back to my family. Be sure to check the Fight For Ben gallery, I uploaded some super cute pictures of Jasper with the boys. We have been debating with the idea of adding a Frenchie to our family of Bostons for a year or so; and I finally found a breeder and a dog that we really liked. So we pulled the trigger and here we are: a family of six. Ben, Ann, Micah, Lucas, Mello, Piper, and Jasper.
I look forward to having Jasper as my cancer companion as I continue my journey. Mello and Piper are amazing pups and take pretty damn good care of me; but it was time for another man in the house to do some of the heavy lifting. Mainly couch naps, car rides (Mello and Piper do not like the car), and eating lots of snacks.
More importantly I’m ready to watch Micah and Lucas take on the new responsibilities of being put in charge of raising a puppy. Within the first thirty minutes of having Jasper in the house we had two pees and two poops on the carpet. So we fast tracked teaching the boys how to clean up messes last night, and they have already put their skills to use this morning. As I type this Jasper is asleep in Lucas’ arms on the couch and it is just melting my heart. I can’t wait to watch them grow together and form a bond that can’t be broken. There is just something about a boy and his dog.
Deep down I do have ulterior motives for bringing Jasper into our family. It’s one of these “do epic shit” moments while I fight cancer. In recent years I have really wanted a Frenchie, so what better time to get one! But more importantly it’s going to give me a chance to teach my boys another life lesson before cancer snatches my ability to do so away. It’s going to give them a chance to make their dad proud with how well they can take care of the dog. And when this all said and done, it’s going to give them one more connection to their dad when they will need it the most. Jasper will be there to pick them up, and give them a fluffy shoulder to lean on when they are looking for answers. Jasper will provide the Thunder necessary to get through the day. And for that reason, I know I’m already madly in love with the little pupper.
Things are going to be a little crazy around here for a while with cancer treatment, puppy training, back to school, and Lucas making the Hammerheads Club team. But we wouldn’t want it any other way. Time to Feel the Thunder and enjoy this new chapter in our life.
Until next time…Ben
