Subject: How did you get your nick?

Date: Mon Oct 26 18:28:24 2015
User: jojomars1
Message:
JoJo was the "best-est" mutt ever. Born in "Nawlins" (New Orleans) and given to my then-girl friend's semi-grumpy semi-cajun "Pop" by a semi-grumpy semi-cajun friend. (There were a lot of near-grumpy part-cajuns down Metairie way in Jefferson Parish - and many had good 'ol hounds and would pass (sell) their litters on to other good ol' bayou boys.) I had the privilege of taking the hither-to-fore unnamed mixed breed puppy to the vet for his requisite shots and such. Poor thing was deathly afraid of being in a vehicle so as my girlfriend drove her Pop's equally grumpy/cajun old truck I clutched the pup to my chest. Fast forward a few months... "Pop Mars" now passed on to higher ground and girlfriend moving up D.C.-way to make a home with me. JoJo, of course, sharing the 1000 mile journey in my rag-top jeep. Fast forward a year or so more... girlfriend realizes her error in attempting to turn me into a viable husband, moves on, leaving JoJoMars with his best friend... me. I think it might have been that first ride to the vet that bonded us. JoJo Mars, was the nicest dog ever. Only barked (sort of) at horses - nothing else. So nice that the neighborhood kids would come by and ask if JoJo (by now I called him "Jo") could come out and play... Jo used to put his head on my knee and watch me play more than a few rounds of Freecell, wishin' he could play a hand or two himself. (It was the twinkle in his eye that said so.) The best friend I've ever had joined Pop not too long ago. I keep him in my heart and in my memory... more so than most folks. He was a true friend. A TRUE friend. ...So I play now in his honor. And every now and then, when it's late and the only light in the room is coming from the computer screen, I feel his head on my knee, nuzzling up close with that longing look in his eye. Maybe I was day-dreamin', or maybe not, but I like to believe he was there. Rest in Peace my friend. Rest in Peace. The next game's for you.

Date: Mon Oct 26 19:18:32 2015
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Wow. What a nice story, well-told. I'm sure there's some other good ones out there yet to be revealed. Hi helen!

Date: Mon Oct 26 21:20:15 2015
User: hotnurse
Message:
Thanks jojo, I love stories about pets. They are truly a friend. Although sorely missed when they pass on they gave us a lot of great memories, unconditional love and warmth on a cold night. RIP jojo, and to my recently lost Buckwheat the solid black, 17 lb tom cat. :(

Date: Tue Oct 27 04:43:16 2015
User: Tasmanianmom
Message:
Growing up ,we lived by a busy yatch club. Very private ,but weird guys crewed the polished mahogany boats. So I was never allowed to go to the 'oh-so-private-' club surrounded by wrought iron,ten foot spikes. But my brother and I were skinny ,lanky kids who believed the world belonged us; a maze provided for us to explore. .... My older bro, TomTom , carried small Garter snakes in his pockets to protect us. We dodged the eyes of the security guards, as we climbed between the bars of the fence that had been pushed out through time by the ole Elm tree. As young child adventurers, we played in the muddy sand around the pilings supporting the decks near the moored boats were tied..., swam in polluted waters....Our muddy clothes , ruined shoes, and carefree happy attitudes gave our secret away to our folks....spanking was scary , but made my brother and me just more curious before our next outing. .....Mom solved our meanderings by bringing home the biggest puppy she could find. He slobbered, he shed perpetually, and he needed walking. He was a Newfoundland,...our Mr. Bear! He wasn't afraid of Tommy's snakes, ate quarts of home made ground beef , daily, and required eternal brushing. Mr Bear took me for walks , not vice versa, ... I was flying at the other end of his leash, as he galloped to the lake. . One hundred pounds of black and white fur covered the house. Mr. Bear wouldn't let anyone near my brother nor me. Mr. Bear danced with me and pulled me around in a cart daddy built for Bear and us. I held this giant dog close to reassure him when we had thunder storms. He was our protecter, and a great sales example to parents for toy dogs.... He went to high school with me. but Mom had to take him to a farm as age brought seizures . ... At age fifty eight , I had an "Ah Ha " moment ,through tears, I realized why I couldn't visit Mr Bear at the farm.

Date: Tue Oct 27 10:49:58 2015
User: smallfish
Message:
It sounds like JoJo's golden years truly were golden, thanks to you. That fact may not be of comfort now, but it will be in time. Good luck and good Karma to you, sir. Good luck indeed.

Date: Wed Oct 28 00:10:44 2015
User: twistedcherokee
Message:
Mine is from my 4 wheelin days. I had a jeep cherokee that I rock crawled & it got all twisted. twistedcherokee