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I'm sorry to tell you that after having a difficult problem with his back legs I had Jasper put down on September 29th. We tried everything from acupuncture to infusion and finally prednisone gave him some small relief in his final weeks.

I am heartbroken and miss my dear dog so very much. He couldn't have been a better friend and companion. Everyone loved Jasper. He was always welcome everywhere. Always so sweet and well behaved.

I owe you my profound gratitude for giving Jasper to me to help give him a happy home. We loved him so very much and from day one I was his person and he never took his eyes off of me. He was always ready for the next car ride and trip to the park.

Thank you, thank you for this magnificent dog. And he had a 2 page spread in a book! Of course that didn't matter to him, just his daily walk and being close to his people.

Thank you for your good work and know that this was a successful match.

Jasper always enjoyed the other dogs' birthday party at Friendly Grove where he went occasionally for day care. A few months ago I thought I would throw him his own party. There were many pictures of him and the very happy guests but this is one of my favorites.

I will tell you right away that Jasper is doing better than ever and I am forever grateful for having him in my life. I think of you often with much gratitude for entrusting me with this wonderful dog. I would be happy to do anything to further the cause of senior adoptions. Feel free to have anyone contact me for a testimonial.

From the first day, Jasper decided I was his main person and he has never waivered in his devotion. He has learned who his people are and does his 'happy dance' when they show up at the door. Thankfully his health is exemplary except for the expected arthritis in his hind legs. We have about the same level of energy and stamina so we urge each other on for our daily exercise. He loves riding in the car with his head hanging out the window. I hear people talking to him when I am at stop lights and have even had people take his picture. The blissful look on his face is pretty wonderful.

He loves the USP truck as they leave him a bisquit and he has been known to hop in the truck just to check things out. His systems are always a 'go' and he gets an A+ at the kennel when I am gone for a couple days. A real regular guy. The first year he was a little reticent but slowly he learned to trust the world and be an all round wonderful dog.

Jasper on our morning walk in the forest. He's doing so well. I just love him to bits.

He's becoming more confident all the time. It's been fun watching him accept his new home and friends, people and other dogs. He has an air of calm and friendliness but when he's not sure of someone he will give a yip or a low gutteral growl. I decided to let him let me know when he's ready to be left alone. So far it's not a problem as he loves spending time at my son's house or the next door neighbor's.

Jasper continues to be the sweetest, mellow guy. He breezed through the surgery to have the cyst removed and doesn't even seem to notice the shaved patch and stitches.

I have to tell you what happened yesterday when I took him into a store - Kohl's - a mid-range department store. I asked the sales woman if dogs were allowed. She smiled, looked at Jasper and said, "service dogs are welcome". So we breezed right on by. He stayed right by my side playing it to the hilt. What a guy!

A quick update on Jasper (who is ensconced next to me on the sofa). He has truly been a dream dog. Except for his anxiety on being left alone (more about that later) he is the perfect companion. He didn't miss a beat eating, pooping, cuddling, when I got him home. He barks when someone comes to the door but it's more of an alert rather than a threat. He is polite when we are eating and walks with me beautifully. We go to one of two parks daily and I rarely have to put his leash on. If there are lots of people or dogs, I leash him just for my peace of mind. He goes to work with me and snoozes when not gently greeting people as they come through the door. If he senses they like him, he will lean in for an ear scratch.

I was trying to see if I could leave him in the house alone. Ten minutes was okay. Twenty minutes, he somehow nudged the blinds aside, pushed out the screen, and jumped about 5 feet from my bedroom window. I was next door so I found him right away, sitting calmly in the driveway. He can handle a few minutes in the car but now that the weather is getting warmer that isn't an option unless I do my shopping early in the morning, which I have started to do. We'll work around it. When I have to be gone for several hours, I leave him with my son whom he adores. Jasper does his happy hop when he sees him. Since my son works at home, it's a good arrangement.

A check up with my vet found a cyst on his left hip which has active cells - not a good thing, so we are going to have that removed next week. Other than that, he has arthritis just like me. Today we are going to try a bath and see how that goes. Always an adventure with Jasper.

Thank you again for letting me have this beautiful animal. I will give him the best life I can.

Even though we have known each other for barely 24 hours, Jasper and I are a team. In addition to his sweet disposition. he has such good manners, sitting several feet away while we eat and never begging. We went for a romp at a nearby county park this morning and he always stayed within earshot when I let him off the leash. He's not crazy about the leash so I got a longer one that is better for both of us. I returned the expensive dog bed as he clearly prefers the floor or snuggling on the couch (but not before being invited! What manners!). I took him to the local pet store (Mud Bay) to fit him for a new collar. They were amazed that we had just met. The clerk said we seemed like we had been together for ever.

I talked up Old Dog Haven and they were happy to hear how successful it was for us. They even have an Old Dog Haven donation box on their counter.

I am so grateful for you and your volunteers. I don't know what Jasper's background is or what the last 11 years have been like for him, but at the moment, he doesn't seem to care. His experience with you was a good bridge between his past life and his life now. He is not nervous or anxious. He does his little jump and head bob when he is especially happy which is many times a day. He already telegraphs his desires to me with a look. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

May we all have more successes than heartbreaks.