Jezebel came to us complete. She was a grown up girl, who had long ago forgotten what it was to be a puppy. We could not take any credit for the treasure that she was, nor responsibility for her wickedness. We have a small boarding kennel, every day, dogs come and dogs go, some of them just touch your heart more than others. Jezebel, or Jess, as she was known, was seeking a new home, not desperately, her family loved her and cared for her, but a little Shih Tzu Maltese cross, didn’t fit with the German Shepherds and farm life. She was looking for something a bit easier. So, while her family were away, we put out feelers to find someone interested in adopting a mature little dog. We weren’t very enthusiastic in looking for a new home, we thought no one could really relinquish this little angel/devil. She would say please and thank you, sitting up on her haunches and waving those chubby little legs in the air. She was always available for a kiss and a cuddle and loved trekking through the paddocks with the other dogs, but best of all she loved to lie back in your arms and have her well rounded tummy rubbed.

The day finally came when her family came to collect her, they were a little surprised that we had not found a new family for her, when together we said, ‘We’ll keep her!’. This despite my poor, long suffering husband’s claim that we already had too many dogs. (Really, how could there ever be too many?) Could this be the real reason we didn‘t try too hard to find her a new home? Jezebel had cast a spell and worked her magic on him, she bewitched him with her sweetness and promised to be his dog, a ute dog, if he would only let her try. Well, that was the plan, right up until she moved into the house with the Tenterfields and the cats.

Jezebel had arrived and surely, but not so slowly began her takeover. She used the same tactics on the dogs as she had on us, sweetness and light all the way. Once she had assumed the best spot in front of the fire or on the lounge or on the bed or anywhere she fancied, she then demanded it, forcefully. Before long she was bullying me, whatever Jezebel wanted Jezebel got, she knew where the treats were kept, which cupboard held the cheese grater (her personal favourite grated not sliced cheese) and would stomp those sweet, little feet and bark commands, I was a slow learner but she did eventually get me trained just right. It took me a while to get the pile of cushions next to the bed just so, but with practice we got there in the end. Clearly, I was the easier mark and would do what I was told. She slotted right in with the dogs, chose to ignore the cats and certainly wouldn‘t bother chasing the chooks, that’s what the dogs were for!

Old age crept up on our girl, with all its debilities. Deafness, night blindness, arthritis and eventually cancer. Yet, she still managed to maintain my ongoing training. I soon learnt that the barking at two in the morning meant, come and get me I’m lost/can’t find the door/lift me onto the bed or I want a tummy rub now. The dog door had to be enlarged as she could no longer step up and through the hole, solar lights around the yard helped her find her way back in at night, and driving to the dam for a swim was a much better option than trying to keep up with the Tenterfields as they would streak across the paddocks after bunnies, very undignified when one could have a chauffeur.

She had reached in and grabbed us by the heart, we had fallen in love with her in an instant, but so desperately, that she will always be a part of our lives. She decided she was staying with us and always will. She died Melbourne Cup Day and is buried in the spot where she always waited for me. Whether I was gone for ten minutes or two days she would always be sitting beside the gate looking up the walking track, where she knew I would eventually reappear. We wrapped her in black silk and planted purple iris over her and a pink peony at her head, she was truly an original. Over the years we had kept in touch with her first family and we shed tears together over her loss. Despite coming into our lives as a very, mature dog, we could not have loved her more than if we had her from eight weeks, we just had to squeeze 14 years into four. Good news though, she did teach the new puppy ALL her bad habits in the few short weeks they shared the house. So, whenever the puppy barks an order at me I know that Jezebel is still here in spirit, and that makes me smile. Luv ya Jez.

Author: Joanne Jordan
Country: Australia
True story: Yes
Rating: 5 paws down
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