Jam

Me with Jam in my arms on the first day we saw him.  

Jam was our third Southeastern Guide Dog puppy that we raised. 

Mr. Merluzzi holding Jam upside down in his arms while Jam tries to lick his face.

Jam was named after Joseph A. Merluzzi (JAM), who was the former headmaster at the school where I work.  The student forum raised the $3500 to sponsor and name the puppy in honor of Mr. Merluzzi.

I'm sitting in a library chair with Jam at my side.  The stacks are in the background.

Jam was a great library dog.  While he never got the hang of actually checking out books to students, he did spend a LOT of time in the library and generally a very quiet dog.  When he didn't do a break away and run around like a crazy dog, that is!!

Jam is in the car and has one paw up on the seat.

Jam liked to do little things like put one paw up on the seat.  He knew he wasn't supposed to sit on the seat, but could he put one paw on it?

Photo of Jam looking back for me while trainer Karen exchanges leashes with my husband.

In the end, he was my husband's and my heartbreaker when we had to turn him in to Southeastern.  He had a bit of separation anxiety, so consequently, we took him everywhere.  I mean everywhere.  He was NEVER alone. (Maybe a couple of hours a month.) So, when we went IFT, it was our separation anxiety that came over us.  

Jam was in for training for over a year and was considered by his trainer to be one of "the best dogs (she) ever trained." We had high hopes that he would make it, but unfortunately, he had a medical problem that prevented him from working as a guide dog.

The good news is that he was offered back to us to adopt and we said yes. He lives with us now and is very sweet and happy. But his very favorite thing to do is sleep on furniture, which he wasn't able to do before!

Jam sleeping on a couch.  He can get up on furniture now.

Jam playing with a frisbee. He can play with frisbees now.

Jam sleeping in his favorite chair.