And To These Two Boys

I love you guys more than I can probably ever convey.



Dad

To All The Dogs I've Loved

To All The Dogs I've Loved

Where is that place dogs go to when they close their eyes to sleep?
So very far away from here, a hidden path they keep
Often have I watched them run, their eyes closed to the light
With twitching paws, and thumping tail, and whimpers of delight

In that place dogs go to when they're in a dream so deep
Ten thousand years of history are shed within one leap
And Free from chain, and cage and man, beneath the moon they play
And run with wild abandon no Master's hand can stay

I think it never rains there, no chill wind dares blow
The sun does always shine there and clear blue streams must flow
The grass is soft and green there, spring breezes warm the air
There are no fences in that place, no hunger, thirst or care

I think time cannot go there, they run with strength and grace
When scent of rabbit rides the air, the wind cannot keep pace
Their eyes are sharp, their ears are keen, undimmed by age or pain
Adventure lies beneath each bush, green hill and shadowed lane

I watch my friend lie by the fire and know his time comes soon
His legs too stiff and eyes too weak to chase or howl the moon
For in our world the hateful clock ticks on toward final sleep
Soon one last time he'll close his eyes and make the final leap

And one last time he'll find that place, he found within his sleep
His heart will soar, the clock winds back, and youth is his to keep
My head knows that is best for him, but selfish heart cries stay!
My world will be a lesser place when he is gone away

But when my time comes round one day to seek that farthest shore,
I have no fear that I'll stay lost and wander ever more
For God will post a watch for me and I know who he'll send,
I'll hear his joyous barking, see ears flying in the wind

I know that he will find me on that strange and lonesome day
He knows the path and knows it well, and should I lose my way
He'll touch my hand with his soft nose and steer me round the bend
He'll lead me as he did in life, my guide, my dog, my friend.

- Susan Guillot

Buone Feste

Jack - WRD Extraodinaire

Karazan Giacomo Poochini (Jack)

For my boy Jack, who I have shed a tear for everyday for the last three years. You were the greatest:


SAN FRANCISCO
Ruff Crossing: Alcatraz Swim A Canine First
Dog Places 72nd, Ahead of Hundreds in Annual Race
Julian Guthrie, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, July 31, 2005

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Early Saturday morning, a Newfoundland named Jack made history when he jumped from a boat near Alcatraz into the choppy bay and swam 1.2 miles to the San Francisco shoreline.

He was the only dog among more than 500 swimmers who took part in the South End Rowing Club's 10th annual Alcatraz Invitational. Dog-paddling his way toward the front of the pack, Jack came in 72nd overall, leaving some serious swimmers seriously chagrined. His time was 41 minutes and 45 seconds.

Reaching the shoreline next to the Hyde Street Pier to chants of "Jack! Jack! Jack!" the 6-year-old, 160 pound Newfoundland, appeared to take his celebrity in stride. He trotted onto terra firma, evaded a lady trying to put a medal around his neck, and let out a full-body, water-flying shake. He proceeded to roll in the sand and make a quick detour to the nearest grassy area where he chewed on a large piece of driftwood he had taken in along the way.

His tail was wagging. The swim was behind him. His bounty was in front of him.

Jack made the swim in the frigid waters with his human dad, born-and-raised San Franciscan Steve Sayad. The two live in Sausalito and trained for the event swimming 2 miles twice a week at Aquatic Park. They also bodysurf together, and Jack is known for doing sprints every day -- generally after tennis balls. Before a big swim, Jack eats scrambled eggs. He has a weakness for carbohydrates, particularly bread.

"It was colder and rougher than we thought it would be", Sayad said after the race. "Jack amazed me. He was very focused. He started out really fast. I was trying to slow him down. He increased his pace to stay with the pack."

Entering Jack in the invitational was motivated by fun -- and business. Sayad, an attorney, represents a company called WiggleWireless that delivers text messages and news to cell phones. Subscribers to the service were able to receive live updates on Jack's progress. A portion of the money raised went to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Updates from Jack -- a kind of dog blog -- ranged from, "I checked into the Hyatt and took a drink from the toilet bowl," to "I'm standing in line for the Alcatraz swim. I don't see any other dogs." Several messages were sent mid-race. One read, "The water is ruff. I mean ruff-ruff."

Bill Wygant, president of the South End Rowing Club, which was established in 1873 and draws a hearty group that prides itself on swimming without wetsuits, said he was happy to allow a dog into the race. It was a first, he said, but he hopes not the last.

"This swim is about personal challenge," Wygant said. "Whether you are dog or human, it's whatever you can achieve that counts."

Lynne Cox, an open-water swimmer who has broken men's and women's records for swimming the English Channel and was the first person to swim between Alaska and the Soviet Union, was on hand to support the event. She said when she met Sayad, she asked whether swimming in the race was something Jack truly wanted to do.

"He said Jack would be upset if he saw him swimming and he couldn't swim, " Cox said. "I have a yellow Lab at home. Maybe next year the club will have a dog category."

"Newfoundlands are renowned for the swimming and life-saving abilities, and Sayad has owned "Newfies" since he was a child. "'Jack is the king of Newfie-swimmers", he quipped with a smile of pride.

"By midmorning, as swimmers continued to stream onto the beach in front of the rowing club, Jack began to unwind. He rolled onto his back, welcoming any and all congratulatory belly rubs."