more on Jo

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

This one will bring both tears and smiles...

Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 23:53:25 EST
From: Judy Preston
Subject: Calypso Jo
I know if I've had a hard time with Jeff losing Jo, many others have to. I
still remember the first time I met Jo. He and I were buddies long before I
met Jeff. I had just recently gotten to know Bob and Linda Stebbins. I was
starting to show my "Tasia" and Bob was going to handle her. I was standing
ringside and Bob ask if I thought I could handle JO. Never having met a dog
I couldn't I said "sure" which crate. He proceeded to tell me, he likes to
bolt out of the crate so be ready with the show chain and don't let him drag
you down the steps. I went into the truck and Jo spinned happily in his
crate thumping and woofing at me. I stood so the crate couldn't open clear
up and slipped the collar on. Jo proceeded to do exactly what Bob had warned
me about, but I was ready and gave him a good "obedience" pop.
He looked at me and started for the door. I popped him again, said easy Jo
and
we started for the ring. I knew we had plenty of time so I changed the lead
to my
flexi and we got acquainted. He was such a happy, enthusiastic, loving dog
whose
zest for life is still evident in my back yard in his granddaughter "Liz".
She always makes me laugh and so did Jo.
The day Jo won the National I had the honor of grooming him and getting him
ready.
He seemed to know this was a good day. My biggest problem was keeping his
tail still while I brushed and dryed and worked on him. He always laid he big
old head on my shoulder and gave me big sloppy kisses while I brushed, he
loved the attention.
Jeff and I became good friends from the first time we met and that is partly
due to our love of that happy laughing rascal. I'm sure he recognized Bob
immediately when he crossed that Bridge, now two of my favorite guys are
together again.
Judy