In May of 2006, we adopted a 7.5 year old apricot pug named Mason. I'll never forget the day we picked him up at his foster parents' home. It was love at first sight for both Mason and myself as we made that hour-long drive home, cuddling in the backseat of the car as my husband drove.
Since then, our lives have changed. My husband and I got married about 2 months later and - as married couples are wont to eventually do - we started a family about 3 years later. Not knowing too much about Mason's background, we were initially wary of how Mason would react to the baby. Would he get aggressive? Jealous? Would the baby's cry stir him up and cause him to bark?
We would soon learn that our fears were entirely unfounded. Mason was - as he has always been in his time with us - a model citizen. In fact, throughout my pregnancy, he slept every night with his head upon my stomach, as though he was listening to the baby, just making sure he was okay. When I was on bed rest due to complications with my pregnancy, Mason laid at my side day in and day out. When I was checked into the hospital to be induced and had to stay in the hospital a week after my C-section, Mason barely ate at the kennel. They said he seemed too worried to get comfortable there.
In fact, that has been the theme since the baby's arrival. Mason has been a constant guardian - a sentinel - watching over our son, Jack. When visitors came to our home and held our infant son, Mason stood close by. He fretted and paced when we would leave the baby with a sitter, even a trusted family member. He seemed to take Jack's welfare on as his own and continues to do so to this day.
We think that, early on, Mason sensed that there was something special, a little different, about our little boy. You see, from birth, Jack has demonstrated developmental delays. From day one, he couldn't swallow normally. His gross motor skills - walking, crawling, standing - were delayed from early on. He had a few words - only 6 - at 18 months but eventually lost the ability to speak, only to begin to regain it a few months prior to turning 3 years old. At the age of 24 months, our little boy was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, along with several additional neurologically based disabilities.
Mason seemed to just sense all of this. He was at our side through the heartache of discovering that our little boy had some significant challenges ahead of him. He seemed to just know that Jack was special, and - in retrospect - perhaps that is the reason he keeps such a close watch over him. He knows that his baby brother needs him.
Even now, when our son has a meltdown - a tantrum common in autism that can last upwards of an hour - Mason simply stands to the side and watches over him. He doesn't look agitated, but he maintains a look of love in his eyes. He looks like he understands that this is beyond Jack's control, showing a wisdom and compassion about him that many adult humans seem to lack.
Mason does all of this without receiving the hugs, kisses, and affection that most 4-year olds shower on their pets. He does it because he loves Jack with all of his heart, and he seems to understand that - deep down - Jack probably loves him, too, and is comforted by his presence, sitting at the side, keeping watch.
Mason is nearly 15 years old. His age is catching up to him, but he doesn't let that stop him for a moment. He suffered an episode that his vet thought was probably a stroke in late 2012, but he has almost completely recovered his mobility. He now has to be carried up and down the stairs, but that doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest; in fact, I would argue that he loves the babying. He has definitely slimmed down from the weight he was carrying when we adopted him (he was a portly 32 lbs, but has since dropped to 23 lbs.), but he still enjoys the occasional trip to Bruster's for a Dog Sundae and some admiration from the children and staff at the ice cream stand. I always take him on these outings, and he loves getting to go on a "Date with Mommy".
So, thank you, SEPRA. Thank you for connecting us with a sweet angel of a Pug who would end up being the perfect compliment to our family in so many ways. We could never have dreamed when we adopted Mason that 5 years later we would have a child diagnosed with multiple special needs, but Mason was the perfect, most patient, most understanding little dog that an autistic little boy could have as a companion. Keep doing what you are doing. Keep uniting families with their angels. Keep finding the perfect compliment to others and keep finding these sweet little dogs a home.
Warmest regards,
Jeanie