Ajax

Ajax Arthur Razor Sharp was born on October 20, 2011 at 10:29 PM to the delight of his parents – Tim and Joanna.  He weighs 8 pounds 7 ounces and is 19 ¾ inches tall.  His 3 sets of grandparents are quite excited.  I visited him on the 21^st and Alan and I visited on the 22^nd.  I believe it was the first time Alan has held a baby.  Tim is a great dad and had even changed diapers in the hospital.  I am looking forward to spending time being a grandmother.

Magnum is now 35 pounds at a little over 5 months.  He’s about ¾ his grown up size, but is he ever a puppy.  He is a sweet dog and has been going through a shy period.  I thought we were through it, but had friends over and he was very shy, but did eventually warm up to them.  I am really impressed with his tracking ability, which is a segue into a story of a canine hero. 

Theo, an English Springer Spaniel mix, was a sniffer dog for bombs and worked with his handler – Liam Tasker – in Afghanistan.  In just five months, Theo had uncovered 14 bombs and hoards of weapons – a record for a dog and handler in the conflict.  Liam was shot dead by the Taliban and Theo was visibly distressed.  A few hours later, Theo, 22 months old, died of a heart attack.  Theo was buried with Liam.  Liam Tasker was a member of the British armed forces.  A picture I saw of the funeral showed a number of English Springer Spaniels – military working dogs – in attendance.  It is amazing how talented our dogs are and the bond that forms with us.  Theo and Liam were clearly heroes together.

I been thinking about what books I will start reading to Ajax and believe I will start with a book about dogs.  I purchased a book “A Dog’s Purpose” by W. Bruce Cameron several months ago, but have put off reading it.  I think I was waiting for the perfect time.  Inside the book it states “This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives.”  This will be a great way to begin to share my love of dogs with Ajax. 

I am including a picture of Ajax in his car seat going home from the hospital.