Jackson

We adopted Jackson from Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue in May 2014. He came to us one month shy of his 10th birthday with severe arthritis and a growth on the roof of his mouth. Luckily the growth was removed and non-malignant, and with daily pain meds, his arthritis less painful. It was as if he drank from the fountain of youth! He had the best life with us, our other two Goldens and our cat that Jackson always tried to establish dominance, but was never successful! Jackson appeared to be the picture of health until this past May when he became lethargic and uninterested in his food. Tests revealed he had stage 4 lymphoma. We were devastated that it was so far advanced by the time Jackson showed any symptoms, but we had been through this before with our precious girl Chrissie in 2013. It seems like one minute they are fine, and then you wake up and every thing has changed. He did amazing on chemo for a month, but then once again, the cancer reappeared just as strong. We promised ourselves and Jackson that when the time came, we would make it all about him and his comfort, not our own wish to keep him with us. I remember thinking when he was diagnosed, just let him make it till his 11th birthday (June 3). He did, and I think he loved his presents, steak dinner, and ice cream. We love and miss you Jackson, you are forever in our hearts.