Pets, especially dogs, have been a part of our home almost since our marriage began.  Some of the dogs were pure breeds, and some were a mixture of a wide variety of breeds.  Generally, we enjoyed each of them.  Beside the dogs, there were cats, birds, hamsters, turtles, and even a squirrel.  Some were with us for years, and others for much shorter times.  In reflection, of all the pets, it is dogs that seem to have the most recognizable place in our memories.

Allow me to tell you about Jasper.  Jasper is our dog of the present time.  We acquired him when he was a little over two months old.  At the time, we had lived without a pet for about seven years, and it always seemed that there was a little something missing in our home.  The children were all grown, married, had children, and even had dogs of their own.  Our house was empty, except for the two of us.  While not having the responsibility of caring for a pet was nice, there was still an empty place in our lives and home.  My occasional overnight absence brought my wife to mention being more comfortable when there was a dog present to be on guard for her.  Her comment stirred a renewed desire to have a dog in our home.  So, the search began.

Through something of a process, we settled on seeking a Collie.  It might have been that there had once been a Collie in her life, or that Lassie had always seemed to be the ultimate dog to own.  Whatever turned our attention in such a direction, it was where our search was pointed.  We quickly learned that Collies are not as popular as they once were, and maybe even less so in our part of the country.  In her search, Paula found a local breeder on Facebook.  After a few communications she learned that he still had a pup that he would be willing to sell to us.  His offering price was far more than we wanted to pay for a dog.  We almost let it pass.  Then he offered to sell the puppy at half price if we would forgo the registration papers.  Really, we only wanted the dog for a pet.  We did not intend to breed or show him.  So, we accepted the breeder’s offer.  The appointment was made.  The money was gathered.  Then on January 15, 2016, we met our dog.  At that time, He was just a small bundle of soft white fur.  It was love at first sight.  From that day forward to the present, Jasper has been an important part of our lives.  He has grown into a friendly, beautiful, White-Sable Collie, with penetrating blue eyes.  Rarely do we take him places that we don’t have strangers tell us that he is a beautiful dog.  We do love him, and he is devoted to us.  Well, the story to this point is just background.  Without doubt, just about any dog lover has just as good a good story about gaining a new dog.  So we relate.  As these words are being written, a nine-year-old Jasper is quietly resting in the entrance hall, next to the front door.  

So, it is my purpose here to share a few of the things I have learned from Jasper.  My conclusion is that any of us could all learn some good characteristics from our dogs. 

For example:

• Jasper is loyal and committed to (us) his own family.  He may never call us by name, but every approach he makes toward us tells us that he knows exactly how we are connected to each other.  Wherever and whenever we go, he wants to go with us.  He even seems happy to wait in the car (weather permitting) while we step into a store for a few minutes.  Really, the time he spends waiting doesn’t seem to faze him. 
• Jasper is open and friendly to just about everyone.  He never seems to meet a stranger.  New people or animals are greeted as friends he just hasn’t yet met, even the growling ones.  There may be a bit of sniffing, but in a very short time he is ready to share his company.
• Jasper doesn’t care what he looks like, or what you look like.  People often comment on how “beautiful” he is, but he doesn’t know it.  No matter how dirty he is, how shaggy he looks, or how he smells, Jasper is just as he is.  The way people look or are dressed means nothing to him.  Any friendly gesture is met with a friendly desire to touch and be touched.
• Jasper doesn’t hold a grudge.  Being a dog, he doesn’t always do the right thing.  Personal boundaries are not recognized.  So, when he is corrected, or even disciplined, he humbly accepts.  Then, whether immediate or long term discipline is applied, he is always ready to partner with you again.  The past may not be forgotten, but it sure doesn’t prevent having a full relationship with anyone.
• Jasper loves to “go” but always seems to be glad to be home.  He seems to always recognize when we are preparing to go somewhere.  Wherever we go, he is ready to go.  He seems to enjoy staying with other dogs in the family, whether the stays are short or long.  Then, when returning home, he seems to relax and find his comfortable place.  Home is where he is at his best.
• Jasper enjoys resting. He naps whenever he can.  Whatever else may be happening around him, he will lie down, close his eyes, and nap.  He rests without worrying that he needs to be doing something or that something will be missed.  He knows how to simply “let-go” and relax.

There are probably several more qualities that could be stated here, but we will stop with these.  For, these things may be enough to not the better qualities of a dog like Jasper.  Sure, he requires care.  We must feed, bathe, take him to the Vet, open and close doors to let him in and out, and just generally take care of him.  Still, if he is in the house when I come home, he is the first to greet me.  When he does greet me, everything from head to tail shows that he is excited to see me.  It is hard to be stressed when I have such a greeting.

If only we humans could be filled with the spirit that lives in Jasper, what a change it would make in each of us, and the world at large.  In most ways, Jasper lives in a small world or limited life.  Even so, the nature of that world is better because he is in it.

Again, the world, any of us, could use a great infusion of the qualities that are common in the loyal companions we call “our dogs”.  I know I am biased about Jasper.  Still, I think I need to work on having the character that seems to be natural in him.

Russell L. Dyer

December 30, 2025