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Dog Lover Shares How His Pup Lives A Heartwarming Double Life Visiting An Elderly Woman Every Day
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Dog Lover Shares How His Pup Lives A Heartwarming Double Life Visiting An Elderly Woman Every Day

Interview With Author
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I know I’ve said it time and time again, but dogs are truly man’s best friend. It’s practically a fact at this point. We don’t really need any more justification, just scroll through our dogs category on the website and see for yourself…

… but we’ll give you more justification, because dogs are amazing and we need more of them.

A heartwarming story has surfaced online some time ago about a doggo named Jade who has been living “a second life” helping an elderly woman when she needed the support the most.

More Info: Reddit | Instagram | YouTube

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    It goes without saying that the dog is man’s best friend, and Jade over here is the bestest

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    Meet Jade, the 35-pound, 1.5-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd And Shiba Inu mix who—as her human companion Heath, with whom Bored Panda got in touch for an interview, put it—has been living a “second life” as a support pooch.

    Heath posted a short story on Reddit, particularly on r/Dogs (another great source of dopamine), where he explained that his girlfriend manages a home health care place.

    Jade’s human companion Heath shared a story of how she’s now living a “second life” as a therapy dog

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    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    For as long as the two have known each other, she has been visiting this one elderly lady, Mrs. Riddle (not a real name for privacy), who she’s grown really fond of. Unfortunately, the woman’s dog passed away on the anniversary of her husband’s passing. This left her devastated. But not for long.

    Some months ago, Heath offered to let his girlfriend bring Jade to her client’s house. And the moment the two locked eyes, they fell in love. “Apparently Jade recognizes that she’s old and fragile and is deliberately gentle. She and Jade eat breakfast and dinner together,” explained Heath in his post.

    Apparently, the two bonded so well that Mrs. Riddle had also got Jade a “mountain of toys”, and when Heath or his girlfriend calls over Jade and says “Wanna go to Mrs. Riddle’s house?”, Jade can’t contain her giddiness and cuteness by jumping, squealing, and zooming about.

    In his story, Heath explains how his girlfriend takes care of this one elderly woman who he called Mrs. Riddle (not the actual name for privacy reasons)

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    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    “The client said something to the effect of her life has meaning again,” said Heath. “While I’m at work, Jade goes to Mrs. Riddle’s house. She’s there Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM. It’s like this is now Jade’s full-time job!” And it’s truly awesome to think that Jade has spontaneously become a therapy dog for someone who lost a lot.

    Heath explained that he first got the idea to share this story because he enjoys writing and just overall talking about Jade. He felt like this was something the lovely dog lovers of Reddit would enjoy and feel intrigued by.

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    Jade became Heath’s pupper companion when she was just 8 weeks old. He got her from a woman in Palmer, Alaska in hopes that she’d help him with his mental health. Jade’s dad is an Australian shepherd, and the mom is half Shiba Inu and half American Eskimo dog.

    Unfortunately, Mrs. Riddle had lost her dog on the anniversary of her husband’s passing

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    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    To help remedy this, Heath suggested his girlfriend take Jade with her to visit Mrs. Riddle, and the two immediately became friends

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    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    The two now live in his “experiment in frugality and adventure,” which translates to boondocking in a sleeper built in his truck.

    “Jade is a sweetheart, but she’s also very protective of me and those that she perceives as part of our pack. She’s very cuddly. She’s nestled into my side as I’m writing this,” elaborated Heath about Jade’s dogsonality. Caninality? Dogsona? You decide.

    Being part Eskimo dog, it should come as no surprise that she loves to run. Heath explained that he often puts a harness on her and lets her pull him on his skateboard down the Coastal Trail in Anchorage, Alaska.

    So, every day now, from 8 to 4, Jade spends her time with Mrs. Riddle—something that means the the world to her

    Dog Lover Shares How His Pup Lives A Heartwarming Double Life Visiting An Elderly Woman Every Day

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    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    Here is Mrs. Riddle together with Jade, enjoying each other’s company

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    “She loves to play fetch. I got her about 60 racquetballs for her first birthday and gave them all to her at once. She went bonkers for all the balls as they bounced around!”

    She’s also a trained dog, as Heath did it all himself, and that’s when she fell in love with beef liver treats—loved them ever since.

    But, back to the story. In the comments, Heath explained that Mrs. Riddle is not her real name, but she is a retired teacher from Texas. And speaking of comments, folks absolutely loved Jade and her story.

    Heath gave a little bit of context in the comments

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    Folks thoroughly enjoyed this bit of wholesomeness, praising Heath for sharing his doggy companion, and praising Jade for being the goodest of dogs

    For those wondering, Jade is an Australian shepherd and Shiba Inu mix

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

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    Heath got her when she was just a wee pup—8 weeks old—to help him with his mental health

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    People thought that it is awesome that Heath and his girlfriend are sharing the joy that doggos can provide just by being their awesome selves, and even more so for those who need it. And dogs seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to identifying who needs it.

    Another commenter pointed out dogs know only one kind of love, and that is unconditional love. We as a species don’t really deserve it, but we are happy we still get it.

    And yet others praised Heath for being generous and kind, allowing Mrs. Riddle to enjoy Jade’s company throughout the day. And it seems Jade enjoys it as well, so it’s a win all around.

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    Jade is now 1.5 years young, enjoys running, balls, beef liver treats, and, of course, spending time with Mrs. Riddle

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

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    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    Image source: Heath | Backseat Bedroom

    Be sure to check out the story in context here. And if you want to keep following Jade, Heath, and everything that they do, be sure follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel, where they document their adventurous truck life.

    Or if you want more dog news and you’re feeling adventurous, click here, here, here, here, here, or here. But hold up just there one second because we want to hear your thoughts about Jade and her story in the comment section below!

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    Robertas Lisickis

    Robertas Lisickis

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

    Read less »
    Robertas Lisickis

    Robertas Lisickis

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

    Saulė Tolstych

    Saulė Tolstych

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

    Read less »

    Saulė Tolstych

    Saulė Tolstych

    Author, Community member

    Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

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    Karen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect name for your baby girl. The spiritual meaning behind Jade is that Jade is a symbol of serenity and purity. It signifies wisdom gathered in tranquility. It increases love and nurturing. A protective stone, Jade keeps the wearer from harm and brings harmony. Jade attracts good luck and friendship.

    Zero
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the pic in the kayak. Dog is looking at him so lovingly.

    Marion Friedl
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am not on Reddit anymore, you may only publish or comment one post in 30 minutes or so there, but I follow them on Instagram now, I can´t post there myself without a cellpone, but I can follow, like and comment. Thanks for sharing the pup with the old lady.

    Load More Comments
    Karen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect name for your baby girl. The spiritual meaning behind Jade is that Jade is a symbol of serenity and purity. It signifies wisdom gathered in tranquility. It increases love and nurturing. A protective stone, Jade keeps the wearer from harm and brings harmony. Jade attracts good luck and friendship.

    Zero
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the pic in the kayak. Dog is looking at him so lovingly.

    Marion Friedl
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am not on Reddit anymore, you may only publish or comment one post in 30 minutes or so there, but I follow them on Instagram now, I can´t post there myself without a cellpone, but I can follow, like and comment. Thanks for sharing the pup with the old lady.

    Load More Comments
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