Jasper's Blog

Jasper Introduction

by Rainer Hildenbrand on 02/11/12

Dr. Jasper BLOG

AKA The Long Arm of the Paw

Let me introduce myself and my story. I was born on August 24, 2007 and I am a tried and true Virgo. My father’s name is Hercules. A standard white poodle, Hercules has sired twenty therapy dogs. My mother’s name is Brooklyn and she is a parti-poodle, white with black ears & a black saddle. She is very beautiful and spirited. My brother and two sisters look like me. I was blessed with a blissful, happy puppy hood. But, then…… I was adopted by a hard working woman with an important career and her elderly mom. They named me “Ike” (yikes!). They wanted me to be a companion to their huge dog, a Bouvier, who took an instant dislike to me. I was sad and terrified. No one wanted to play with me and I seemed to make everyone think I was a big mistake. They rejected me and sent me packing.

I was so excited to be home again. Oh, HAPPY DAY! Soon, the dear woman, Ellen, who raised me and my dog family, asked to speak with me. Sitting at attention, I listened as she told me that two people wanted to meet me. Ellen said this couple loved animals and had done a lot of animal rescue work, placing 56 stray and feral cats and an abused malamute in good homes. She further said that they had done this work in spite of having allergies to many animals. She explained that they were looking for a hypoallergenic dog to share their life and home. I wasn’t sure what hypoallergenic meant, but I was doggone certain that I had the dog part down near perfect.

Cynthia and Rainer loved me at first sight and called me a "rescue dog" of a different sort. They gave me the official kennel name of "Doctor Jasper". Cynthia said at the time that she just knew I would be a good listener and a therapist to many. Rainer said that I reminded him of the stone, jasper, because I was strong and healing.

Now four and a half years old, I find that my days are filled with jobs I enjoy. When Rainer carries the big bag of trash out of our home, I follow him, carrying a trash bag my size. I also help get the mail. When Cynthia and Rainer are working in their art studios, I help them by sleeping and dreaming at their feet.

I am a very optimistic, grateful being. Skilled at catching balls or Frisbees, I am constantly inventing new games; this is how I exercise, use my imagination and express my creativity. As Dr. Jasper, I urge all those I know to play more.

My favorite days are those when I get to go for a ride in the car to be at All Matters. My hours there fly by with so many wonderful people to meet and greet. I can tell that our visitors like All Matters because they are happy and smiling when they are there. I have many friends who visit me regularly - many like to kiss my nose. They ask me to right shake, left shake and high five.

Cynthia & Rainer know how important my friends are to me! They know that dogs are the masters of sharing unconditional love and keeping their hearts loyal and pure. My friends at All Matters tell me about their beloved dogs, cats, horses, & other lovely creatures and I get all kinds of information about them from the wonderful scents the people bring into the gallery. My sense of smell is such that, like most dogs, I can sense odors at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can.

It seems to me that almost everyone who comes to All Matters loves art and animals so there must be a connection between the two.....

I understand why All Matters visitors like to come to Chagrin Falls, too. What a cool town! The waterfalls are beautiful and soothing. The park is pretty and happy with people, children & dogs strolling and smiling. Delicious smells spill from the restaurant doorways. Human hands are often filled with ice cream cones, popcorn or coffee cups brimming with brews better left to people.

As Jasper-the-dog, I am welcome at the bank, Chagrin Hardware, and the Chamber of Commerce. On these sojourns, people like to offer me dog biscuits, but I promptly spit them out on account of I'm a Virgo. I keep to my trim 45 pounds by only eating food that I am very fond of. I do wish I was given more cheese and peanut butter.

But enough about me! Cynthia and Rainer promised me that this year I could have my very own blog to answer some of the questions people ask me at All Matters.

So, from time to time, I'll answer a question for you. Please share your thoughts with me, too.

One of my favorite questions is:

Why do we love blue skies?

I took a nice, long nap and mused about this question. I think that humans and animals love blue skies because their color and energy reminds us of what heaven must be like, where spirits soar and love and peace abound. There is something about the color blue that is special: blue ribbons, blue birds, blue chips, blue whales and of course, blue cheese. Add the light of the sun and the blue becomes truly magical! Even when we get or sing the blues, we are reminded of special deep places within ourselves where passion begins. Paint the sky blue and we cheer up. Blue skies make us want to run in circles and chase our tails (I'm sorry if you don't have a tail to chase). Blue skies make us want to jump up in the air and catch Frisbees. Imagine a blue sky and send it as a prayer to someone you love. Blue skies are heavenly.

Let me know if an animal that was beloved by you now lives in heaven. Tell me how special they have always been and continue to be for you. Let me know what your thoughts are about blue skies. And if you have other questions, let me know 'cause you are barking up the right tree when you consult me.

Peace, paws and harmony,

Dr. Jasper

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