He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

Author Unknown

Inspired by Daily Oliver with a title that is a direct rip-off from Monty Python we present the daily photoblog of Jalo. We started publishing LoJ on 13.9.2004, the day Jalo joined us.

We try to keep the images fresh and recent, but from time to time we'll dig in our archives for older shots. Most of the time the image will be uploaded during the night (Finnish time). The image on the front page will change earliest at midnight EET (+0200 UTC), the time here in Finland.

The Cast

Chiccoxen Ice and Fire "Jalo"

Flatcoated Retriever, born 26.7.2004

A friendly and kind young flatcoat who's friends with everyone. Thinks that everything that he does is just sooo wonderful. Although he isn't the youngest, he's still our baby. And always will be.

More information can be found on Jalo's homepage.

Mei Dan Second Blonde "Luka"

Flatcoated Retriever, born 26.1.2006

No longer the youngest of the bunch. He's got Jalo's trainability put into a calmer and less excitable body than either one of the older flatcoats. In fact, at times he's just too calm to be a flatcoat. But that head is to die for.

More information can be found on Luka's homepage.

Rushes Eagleheart "Sulo"

Golden Retriever, born 25.2.2007

 

More information can be found on Sulo's homepage.

Forever in our hearts
Matzline's Casimir "Kassu"

Golden Retriever, 23.8.1993 — 5.4.2006

The wise old golden of the pack, who now watches the antics of his younger brothers from the Rainbow Bridge. Also known as Anna's shadow ― or doorstop. Filled our lives with sweet kindness that only a true golden is capable of showing.

More information can be found on Kassu's homepage.

Chiccoxen Flibbertigibbet "Flippe"

Flatcoated Retriever, 23.8.2002 - 21.10.2009

More commonly known as Pepper (Pippuri in Finnish). He's ten flatcoats put into one with a very strong dominant streak. Despite his peculiarities and challenging nature we couldn't think of a life without him.

More information can be found on Flippe's homepage.

I'm still here

I stood beside your bed last night
I came to have a peek
I could see that you were crying
You found it hard to sleep

I whined to you softly
As you brushed away a tear
"It's me, I haven't left you,
I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast
I watched you pour the tea
You were thinking of the many times
Your hands reached down to me

I was with you at the shops today
Your arms were getting sore
I longed to take your parcels
I wish I could do more

I was with you at my grave today
You tend it with such care
I want to reassure you
That I'm not lying there

I walked with you toward the house
As you fumbled for your key
I gently put my paw on you
I smiled and said "It's me."

You looked so very tired
And sank into a chair
I tried so hard to let you know
That I was standing there

It's possible for me to be
So near you everyday
To say to you with certainty
"I never went away."

You sat there very quietly
Then you smiled, I think you knew
In the stillness of that evening
I was very close to you.

The day is over...
I smile and watch you yawning
And say "Good night, God bless,
I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right
For you to cross the brief divide
I'll rush across to greet you
And we'll stand side by side

I have so many things to show you
There is so much for you to see
Be patient, live your journey out
And then come home to be with me

Author unkown