One day at a time

Bosco, a Jack Russell terrier

By JACQUELINE HERMAN
Posted 12/31/69

According to Wikipedia, Jack Russell terriers are bouncy, mischievous and in need of vigorous exercise. Originally bred in England during the early 19th century for hunting small prey, they are known …

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One day at a time

Bosco, a Jack Russell terrier

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According to Wikipedia, Jack Russell terriers are bouncy, mischievous and in need of vigorous exercise. Originally bred in England during the early 19th century for hunting small prey, they are known to dig into the earth to bolt or to block prey. They are smart, muscular and bark a lot. 

Several well-known examples have been in movies: the 2000 film,“My Dog Skip,” and in 2011, both “Water for Elephants” and “The Artist.” A Jack Russell terrier sits next to a phonograph in the famous painting, “His Master’s Voice,” by Francis  Barraud.

Similar to these general characteristics, Bosco, a Jack Russell terrier owned by my neighbor, barks excitedly at the door when he hears my approaching footsteps. For this reason, I have nicknamed him “Barko,” only in jest. He looks anxiously toward the door even on days I do not plan to visit. When I do visit, and the door is opened, he jumps out into the hallway, twisting and jumping in the air high enough to nip my fingers and scratch my kneecaps. 

He is always full of fun and loves to be petted, with attention to his delicate ears. He turns over to have a tummy rub or sits obediently at my side as well.

Every time his owner gets up and goes toward the kitchen, Bosco rouses up and begs for a treat with a yearning whine. 

I try to make eating an adventure, breaking up each biscuit and dropping each piece with a musical clang into his bowl. He waits patiently until two biscuits are dropped and I kneel to watch him eat. When I hold up both hands splayed outwards, he knows that is all for now. Off he goes, ready for his next adventure!

During a six-week period of time when his owner was away, I had the opportunity to care for Bosco. Unable to keep him with me all the time due to his shedding, I would greet him at 8 a.m. for a brisk walk/run outside.

After a little breakfast, we watched TV together while I petted his ears and back, singing to him and talking to him so he would have happy thoughts during the rest of the day.   

After work, I took him out again for some exercise. I would return home to prepare his dinner of chicken breasts, and then watched him happily gobble it up. The rest of the evening we watched TV, while I calmed him by petting his back and speaking to him. He seemed to understand a lot of what was said, either through intonation or repetition. When 9 p.m. approached, I turned the TV off and dimmed the lights so he would know I was soon to leave. He would sit like a king upon his throne—a large stuffed chair—and say good night with his eyes. 

The lonely soldier was fine in this manner for six weeks, but remembered his owner would soon be home. 

Bosco has proven his loyalty and steadfastness throughout that difficult period of time.



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