I WILL HEEL IF YOU HEAL

Jack's sister Tais stays tonight at a vet hospital to have her toe amputated. There is a suspicion of cancer, but the biopsy results will be known in a few days.

While she is somewhere on an operation table, Jack and his Mommy decided to "go out" in honor of Tais, because that's what Tais loves most: long walks around the 'hood. Mind you, Jack has never been outside the boundaries of the house (except for once when he *almost* ran away, but was diverted back to his homestead).

At first, Jack pulled in all directions, but quite quickly he learned to do what was expected, i.e. walk nicely on the leach. Most likely, he had been trained before to "heel" and that came back to him, otherwise he is a super genius.

At one point a neighborhood yellow lab popped up from behind a shrub- unleashed -and started a rapid approach in Jack's direction. While she looked friendly, Jack's Mom remained cautioned and pulled Jack on a short leach. Amazingly, Jack sensed her mood: he remained still, but highly alert: mouth closed, eyes wide open, slowly waving his tail, and all legs slightly bent, ready to react any second, like in a karate stance. The encounter was friendly and Jack was nice as well, but it made his Mommy feel so good that there seemed to be a communication between them and agreement at some special sixth sense level.

Tired and overwhelmed from exploration of the neighborhood, Jack is now spread flat on the floor and chasing somebody in his dream. Tais would be so excited for us! We did so good, Jackie!