By Edward Endres
Jaxon was a mixed breed reservation dog who left such a mark on my heart that a day doesn’t pass without thinking about his short but wonderful life.
His distinctive look came from chow, golden retriever, and shepherd breeds. Jaxon’s tongue was two-tone, his eyes were chocolate brown, and his ears pointed to the heavens.
At about two years of age, Jaxon came from United Animal Friends on my 60th birthday in January 2015 to join our family which consisted of myself, my sister Sonya, and seven cats of all different sizes and personalities. On adoption day, he barked at me and ran to Sonya and put his head in her lap. Their bond was secured at that point, and I had to earn his trust and love.
Sonya found out how intelligent Jaxon was on her first attempt to take him for a walk.
Previously with me, Jaxon had choked himself by pulling on a simple collar and leash, so a harness was in order. However, on Sonya’s attempt, he was so powerful that he yanked her down the front porch steps where she ended on her knees on the flagstone walking. Then the trouble really began.
In the carport next to the walkway was a family of javelinas with a tiny newborn, who strolled up to my fallen sister and Jaxon, now positioned like a lifeless statue. Sonya told Jaxon to stay still and quiet.
The baby javelina sniffed at the two frozen bodies while the two parents stood guard. After what seemed like an eternity, the javelina, satisfied no harm or threat was coming, moved on. Jaxon, whose trademark bark and fierce appearance was absent at the moment, still completed the job of protector.
Jaxon and I had our challenge together while on a hike of Thumb Butte. We were nearly to the top when a swarm of bees came upon us. I covered Jaxon with my body and the bee flew over us without a single sting. Jaxon knew then the bond between us was formed.
Jaxon’s turn to save me came while on a walk at Granite Creek Park. A pit bull had gotten free and headed straight for us. Jaxon, without hesitation, pinned the pit bull on its back before the owner could retrieve him.
No dog ever challenged Jaxon again. And on a walk in the Prescott National Forest near our home, a large coyote bowed down to Jaxon submissively. On several occasions, packs of coyotes would howl in the street in front of our house, adding to the legend.
Jaxon was well known in our 55+ community, but misunderstood by a few. He wasn’t friendly towards other dogs and didn’t take to people making over his remarkable appearance. In his mind, his job was to protect Sonya and myself. That meant for strangers to keep their distance.
He did win best-costumed large dog at the Pine Lakes party for pets, clothed as a pirate with eye patch and sword. He also ate the most hot dogs to win that contest as well.
Speaking of eating, Jaxon loved pizza crust, breakfast leftovers from the local casino, and finishing every cat-plate of food. His shiny black nose was always sniffing at the dining room table for every meal.
His gentle taking of food from our hands proved that there was a soft side to his personality. The cats felt comfortable around him, sleeping next to him on many occasions during cold winter nights or sharing the fan with him on hot summer days.
Jaxon loved to ride in our now 24-year-old Toyota Highlander known as the Jax Jalopy. He made two trips to Bearizona near Williams, Arizona. On the second trip, a bear mistook Jaxon for a cub being kidnapped and pushed down on the front bumper, causing Jaxon’s eyes to nearly pop out of his head.
By this time in his life, he had put on a few pounds and his sable fur had grown out so that his appearance could be mistaken for that of a bear cub.
Those are but a few of the many adventures Jaxon shared with his adopted family.
Though his appetite never left him, his physical problems increased with age. At first it was his instability to get into the back of the SUV without using a ramp. His hindquarters grew extremely fragile, and walking and hiking became painful for him.
On the day before Thanksgiving of this past year, Jaxon fell in the laundry room and couldn’t get up from the slippery laminate floor. The courageous fighter of a thousand bouts had reached his final round. I knew his time to go to the Rainbow Bridge was at hand.
I was thankful he went there peacefully, and that a new and better life awaited him after his final trip to the animal hospital. Jaxon’s spirit will greet me when my time comes, and we will once again travel without care to new and wonderful places and adventures.
