This is Jax. He's momentarily still as a statue here but don't let that fool you. He moves about like a giant wind up toy rotated two clicks past where the tiny white winder really should stop.
In every other moment besides the nanosecond of pause required for this shot, he repeatedly bumped and circled his tank-like body up against and around his owner's legs with a plucky kinetic energy.
He's huge with a strength and size rather daunting to the average person; but at "just about" one year old, this male Great Dane is a big pink-hued albino baby.
All of his weaving and darting coupled with the glare of the sun and my less than skillful ability to take photos on my ancient phone, made this picture nearly impossible but was able to snap and capture what I needed for this piece. (Thank you, God.)
And what I needed was a decent picture because I really need you to take a good look at him.
A close and careful look.
And when you do, you'll see that Jax was born without eyes.
He was also born without the ability to hear a single sound.
Because hubs and I walk a lot, I've crossed the paths of hundreds of dogs but I can't say I've ever seen one quite like Jax. He is unusually special, like something you might see on 'The Dodo', an internet site for animal lovers.
I believe, as I do all the time, that Jax was placed before me for a purpose. Stumbling upon him and learning about his adoption as the most vulnerable newborn pup I'd ever personally heard of, once again gave me reason to renew my faith in humanity. Our random encounter offered me the blessing of a special chance to see all of the beauty within what initially might have presented as a hopeless situation.
The beauties I saw were acceptance and safety and love.
His owner is a kind soul, oozing sweetness like pumpkin stuffed French toast. Leading Jax gently but firmly on a soft, thick leash, she encouraged us to put our hands on him and without hesitating, hugged me tightly when I tearfully told her that he touched my heart.
They are living their best lives together, galivanting on daily beach walks and interacting with strangers who, unless they pay close attention to where his peepers should be, might not even notice that there is something seriously flawed about that puppy face.
Today, there were horses on the beach and, damn, didn't Jax know it? Sniffing the air and skittering about, he could sense them. There was a sharp farmy scent and a low thrumming vibration in the sand that I could feel in the soles of my feet as they approached us. Jax grew more animated, perhaps agitated, as they clomped closer. His owner soothed him, leaning into his body and petting his jittery back in long, slow strokes.
Like so many of you, I also been struggling; but my unexpected and enchanting moments with Jax and his owner gave me a real lift.
Someone with a big heart truly wanted this dog, despite being born with so many problems and needs, and she willingly provides him with unlimited love, safety, and acceptance. He lives a good and decent life, even when something big and powerful and unknown is approaching in the distance.
Truthfully, we all have problems and needs...and serious flaws which most strangers fail to see unless they take a really good look. Maybe we can offer ourselves and each other more love, safety, and acceptance.
I wish you a good and decent life no matter what is approaching you. May we all feel loved, safe, and accepted.
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