By Jewel
Hi, my name is Jewel. My sister and I were living in a back yard in Alabama, where we only had each other for company, I was called “big girl” and my sister was “little girl”, we sometimes ate, and the unpleasant backyard gave us something called mange. One day we took a long car ride to Minnesota where we were brought to Braveheart Rescue, a rescue for Huskys. We have Siberian Husky in us, but we looked like black labs. It was there that they renamed me Jewel.
One day the rescue brought us to a pet store in Burnsville, Minnisota to hopefully find our fur-ever home. I was four at the time. My sister was adopted right away and left me. I was so lonely, scared, and not sure what to do. A nice lady came in and sat down in front of my kennel, I slowly came out and sat next to her. She talked to me softly, and I laid my head in her lap and let her pet me. It felt so good, but then she left again I felt alone and scared.
A week later that same lady came to the rescue, and she brought two men with her, I did not realize then that they would be my fur-ever family, but they were! My first few weeks were hard, I did not understand them but liked hearing them talk to me. They fed me, but I was so afraid of not knowing when I would eat again, I would stash some of my kibble under a dresser, just in case I needed food later.
Mommy took me to puppy classes; I was the biggest one in class at four years old! I learned so much and it was fun. The little ones would want to play with me, but I knew school was important. I learned how to roll over, shake paws, wait, and walk next to my person. The teacher was very happy with me.
I loved going to the cabin in Brainerd, Minnesota. I could run free, and there was a big lake to swim in, but I’m afraid of water. I would step in it, and then step out as fast as I could. Sometimes it was a game with the waves. My favorite thing to do with my daddy was go for boat rides when he would go fishing. Fish are cool. My brother Tim would play with me, and together we would dig a hole in the sand for us to play in. I love my brother.
I got sick one time when I was six years old. They said the cause was rat poison. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t hold my head up, and I was bleeding everywhere. Mommy and Daddy were so scared, but they got me to the doctor, and I had to have a blood transfusion. It took a long time to get well and be able to walk right again. I had acupuncture on my back & legs, and I took a lot of medications. My parents love me so much they never left my side, and when they were at work my best friend, Arlo, and his mom would watch over me.
I love road trips and camping. Daddy would always let me lead when we would go hiking, and there was always something good to smell on the trails. Camping was always fun, but it’s so hard on my legs now. We don’t go camping anymore.
In May 2022 me, Mommy and Daddy went on a trip together, just the three of us. We went to the Grand Canyon. We walked a bit, and it sure was pretty, but I was so tired afterward. Mommy kept saying it was, “Jewel’s Grand Adventure in the Grand Canyon.” I got to sleep in a hotel and be with my parents. I knew it was a special time for all three of us.
I howled at the moon once, in my best husky voice. That was fun. It was snowing, and I love snow, but in Arizona there is no more snow. Kind of a bummer because I’d find mice in the snow every winter, and I love jumping and catching them. Mommy makes me spit them out when I would get one.
My favorite brand of kibble: Nutro with a scoop of Nutro stew. Sometimes I get an egg, too!
My favorite people food: Anything but especially blueberries and banana’s
My favorite toy: I never had a toy when I was younger, but my Fur-ever family gave me lots of stuffies with squeakers and those are my favorite.
My favorite outdoor activity: I love my two walks a day with daddy. When I was younger, I loved chasing the squirrels.
My favorite indoor activity: These days I love my naps
My favorite nap spot: I have a bed, but I prefer the tile floor. Iit is cooler
My perfect day: Wake daddy at 4:30am to go pee. Nap, wake daddy at 5:30am for breakfast. Nap, take a short walk. Nap, take a lunchtime pee. Nap, sometimes another short walk, then dinnertime. Nap, treat time at 7pm, then pee, 9pm bedtime. Plus, mommy and daddy give me lots of hugs and kisses.
