California Wines & Wineries

What Jameson Has Taught Me

Posted on July 11, 2023

Jameson, a small and loving West Highland Terrier came into our lives about 12 years ago. Small and silky soft combination of fur and hair (a key characteristic) and ears like two antennas.  He has been “mi amigo” for the last 10 years almost daily while traveling, writing wine reviews, stories and recently calling and sending emails on Observability software. Jameson has accompanied me to hundreds of wineries, a few he had to remain in the vehicle, but for the most part traveled freely with me into the wine tasting rooms. He especially enjoyed going to YoungInglewood, Crocker & Starr and Wood Family Vineyards where fresh water and special dog treats awaiting his arrival. He is came to the end of his beautiful life on July 10^th and think I can summarized his highlights into six categories: training/education, family relationships, friends, work, hobbies and travel. Dogs like humans have significant experiences that stand out and define one’s character.

The first is training and education. Jameson was a smart and often too quickly a “good student”. He mastered about 25 key verbal and hand gestures almost immediately. Then why would you not when get your reward a favorite treat for doing so!! As he hit his mid-life years, he became as Westie’s are known to do, a bit picky about what he would or would not do. However when he didn’t do something you asked he would look at your with those big black eyes and melt your heart with those soulful eyes. I said he was smart.

On family, Jameson came into our lives just as our first grandson was born. They grew up together, at first a trying relationship as when this 21 pound Westie (short for West Highland Terrior) would greet him, standing on his two back legs licking him, Jameson would almost knock him over. But that soon passed and Logan and Jameson quickly became solid friends. Then another toddler would appear, then another, and so. So Jameson had his opportunity to meet 5 grandchildren with licks and kisses. Jameson quickly became merged into the family as a dominant individual.

After one year, we got another Westie, Seamus who lived eight years and passed about 2 years ago of cancer. Seamus here looking up to his big brother for guidance on how to be a good Westie. He taught Seamus everything he knew. For eight years, Jameson and Seamus acted like conjoined twins and enjoyed running freely on the golf course fairway after hours, chasing each other endlessly or playing tug of war with each other non-stop. A better friendship could not be imagined. When Seamus passed, while quote “animal experts” mentioned dogs have no emotional memory, they simply are incorrect. Jameson missed him constantly for 2-3 months and finally came out of his funk and regained his “normal personality”. Jameson played with as many local friends in the neighborhood and truly enjoyed his time with the local dogs. Especially noteworthy was his friend Mochie.

Work and hobbies were intertwined for Jameson. Work really consisted of guarding the front door when the doorbell rang, barking at the local rabbit, squirrels, birds and deer when gazing in the backyard (on the other side of the fence). When on occasion we left the French doors open in bedroom, any noise occurring in the backyard, animals or green and ground crews doing the morning routines, he would perk up and note their presence.  His only “real job” was laying down on a pillow on the sofa/bed in the study three feet from my desk, and provide an ear for my questions or rantings about this or that. He always remained much calmer than me. As mentioned he was a quick learner and even did a “guest post” writing a story on his perspective wine tasting experience at a winery (note: he was however not allowed to taste the wine).  So really his contribution day in and day out was simply “looking handsome”, especially after being groomed and guarding the house.  His daily routine of hopping on the golf cart to pick up the mail was something he always looked forward to doing each evening.

Now for hobbies and recreational activities. He never got into golf and while he accompanied me a few times, considered the golf ball a great chew toy, but nothing to be fetched and repeated again and again. He however did enjoy chasing a dog toy ball endless. He would chase it endlessly, however we had to always have multiple balls at the ready, as he liked the chasing and fetching, he never mastered the returning of any thrown object. One would have to get his attention and throw another ball, which he immediately went after dropping the ball in his possession. That now became another toy to throw when he would not return the first. He basically taught us to fetch the ball from him. His other recreational activity, when Seamus was around was their constantly chasing each other around the backyard, the house with a kitchen island or around the various locations in the house. A never ending game of tag ensued until they both were panting gasping for air. Then there was never ending naps and respites. He was the King of naps and could sleep anytime or any place. Guarding the house was the quintessential recreational activity from a sleeping position.

For travel Jameson travelled in style, hitting some of the most luxurious spots in California. Palm Springs, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Lake Tahoe, overnight stays in Valley Springs, Sierra Nevada’s, a yearly trip to Yosemite and many more. When staying at a dog friendly hotel, he felt right at home despite often paying another hundred dollars to the hotel to enjoy the nightly accommodations. Dining out on patios became a normal event with him while traveling. While he always had his normal and routine dog food meal, he never understood the smells emenating from the table (Mexican, Italian, etc.) that we enjoyed and would mostly just lay at our feet content with people watching. Wineries were always a big hit as many of them had dog treats for him and wine treats for me. Those trips were mutually satisfying for us. Towards his end he did not enjoy car travel much, but continued to go hither and yon on our adventures.

So what did I learn from one of my best friends in my life about living? Here are just a couple of key truths he taught me and there are many more:

1. Always greet strangers, be it at home or in a public place, cautiously. Make sure they make the criteria of becoming a friend. While Jameson would smell and lick their shoes for his criteria, I adopted having a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a casual meal.
2. Once making a friend, then always greet them with a wagging tail and exuberance. I haven’t got the tail wagging down, but making people feel welcomed is important.
3. Family comes first was his motto. He always valued time with the grandkids, leaving the master bedroom to sleep in the rooms where the grandkids spent the night. He would lay down and nestle up to them for a solid night sleep. He just wanted to spend time with those he loved when they visited.
4. Enjoy your hobby or recreation the way you want to, not based on a societal norm or how the experts tell you.  Play ball the way you want to, fetching and returning the ball is too conventional. Blaze your own trail. Let others be involved in your activities.
5. When traveling, enjoy the experience and always find something of value from the time.
6. When struggling with physical ailments, as he did at the end of his life, it is ok to ask for some help or assistance.  He needed help getting up onto the recliner or sofa, inside or outside on the patio. We gladly assisted. He taught me to be more giving and helpful to those in need, even if it was inconvenient, think outside of yourself.
7. Training and education while important can be self-taught and most importantly, know the fundamentals of life, but follow your heart for real knowledge and understanding.

I will miss him the rest of my life but so thankful for his love, understanding and wisdom. You are now without pain and with your brother Seamus, while comforting for you, my heart aches.