Jax was the best dog, he was my friend, my support and my family. I got him during a “clear the shelters” event at a petsmart. I saw him and said “that’s a nice looking dog”, I asked his handler if I could take him for a walk around the store. We walked all the way around  the outside of Target and Petsmart and he was so calm and relaxed. We got back and he laid on my feet and looked up at me and the handler said “I think he chose you”  Thank you Lost Dog for having him there that day. 

We got home and I gave him a bath and we became fast friends. I would fall asleep on the couch (or the stair landing) many a night cuddled up with his warm soft body. When I first brought him home I would give him a chew bone or treat and he would hide it in the couch and push it in there with his nose. He would hide so much that his nose got raw from pushing them in there. 

He loved riding around in my truck and seeing new sites and meeting new people. I was building out the escape room when I got him and I used to take him there and all of the employees loved to see him. We walked all around Arlington and one of our favorite places was petco and bath time because there were treats to follow every time for such a good boy. There was a senior assisted living apartment building close to my house with a fountain in the square and multiple times we would sit at the fountain and the people that lived there would come and pet and love Jax, he always put a smile on almost everyone’s face that met him. 

In fall of 2018 he got to meet the love of his life and mine, Andrea. She was a little slow to take to him because he was a little overweight and drooly, but then she started letting him come on the bed and found out how much of a cuddle bug he was. Once she fell for him they were inseparable, she loved him so very much, and took care of him almost as much as he took care of her. Her dog Raisin and Jax used to play and play for hours and we became a family. 

The four of us went on many trips together, including multiple trips to Kiawah, a trip to St Pete Florida, east coast trip to Acadia, lake trips, beach trips, and every state and national park in Va. We did everything together. 

Jax was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2024 and we decided to do whatever it took to give him as much time as we could. Andrea and I decided to give him as many great times and memories as we could so when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge he had so many wonderful times to remember. He got to go to the mountains of Pennsylvania, Smith Mountain Lake, the Outer Banks, Williamsburg, Middleburg, Harrisonburg, and Arlington (the ole stomping grounds) a few times. He also got to see all of the people and furkers that he loved before he passed. 

If we gave him a quarter of the joy and happiness that he has brought us for the 2720 days that I knew him then he can go into the afterlife a happy boy. I hope he’s up there squeaking his toys and chasing ducks. I long for the day I can feel his nose press against my cheek and pet his velvety chest again. I love you more than words can say Jackson Mississippi Cooper, I miss you so very much.