55+ Living Guide Spring 2019 55 LG SPRING 2019 JOOM | Page 50

The Vine
Jerry breaking the world record for Big Air in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games.
Photographer: Paul Buckowski, Times Union Archives
Some of My Best Friends
~ BY FRANK BUCK ~
Many years ago, when I came home from the hospital as
a new born, I was greeted by the family dog Duke, a floppy
eared beagle. I was told that he licked me the minute he
saw me and from that point on he never left my side.
Now, many years later I have never lived without a dog.
I’ve owned all breeds of dogs, pure bred as well as mutts,
males and females. They have all been uniquely different,
but so very memorable. I must admit the females seem to
be quicker learners and are more even keeled. I currently
own three dogs and it comes with great responsibility.
Dog ownership is a commitment to a good home, good
food and veterinary care. They are family and deserve
of nothing but the best, after all you invited them. I have
been blessed to have had the company of so many four-
legged best friends.
So, as dog stories goes, here’s my best: I had rescued
a female English Pointer and brought her home to live
with my older Chesapeake Bay retriever male. Patty was
her name and Buddy his. We didn’t think that either dog
could become a parent, but we were proven wrong with
a litter of four beautiful puppies. We kept the male and
called him Jerry, after my old boss. Jerry was half dog and
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half human. He loved to jump off our dock and retrieve
anything we would throw. We soon realized he had
great athletic talent and potential so we got him into
the tryouts for the ESPN Great Outdoor Games Dock
Jumping competition. They loved Jerry for his talent,
demeanor and looks. He was brown with four white
toes, a big white spot on his chest and a heart as big as all
outdoors. In 2001, he won the Gold Medal in the Big Air
Dock Jumping contest in Lake Placid, NY and broke the
world record four times in one day. In 2002, he was the
first non-human EVER nominated for an ESPY award
and was featured in Sports Illustrated Magazine and
appeared on Animal Planet.
Jerry enjoyed celebrity status for a year and the Gold
medal still hangs in our home as a reminder to what can
be accomplished in life if you really want something.
He brought love, joy and happiness to our family and
anyone who happened upon him. Jerry has left us, but
the legacy that he left behind is proof positive that dogs
have been placed here by God to be the teachers of men.
They show us that the best life lesson of all is to give love
unconditionally. Yes, dog spelled backwards is God.