Nolan Family

Good Bye

By Bandit

Since Jean Luc was the one who introduced me to this blog, mom decided that I should be the one to write the goodbye to my brother. I joined the family 3 years ago and during that time we became good buddies. At first, I do not think that Jean Luc was very fond of me, but in the end, we could often be found sleeping side by side. I would also run and wake him up if he did not wake up when the family came home, so that he would not miss out on our family time.

Jean Luc's was much older than me, in fact, he would have been 17 years old on July 7th. My mom and dad joked that he was their first child, at least that is what it felt like when they first brought him home and he woke them up at night. When you look back on it the fact that Jean Luc and Dave and Laura found each other is a miracle from God in the first place.

It was Labor Day 1999, and Dave and Laura decided to use the long weekend to visit Dave's mom, Rosi. Since it was a 10 hour drive, they would often leave after work and drive through the night to get the most time with their mom. While in Kalispell, MT, they were looking through the local paper and found an ad for AKA certified Tiny Toy Poodles. Laura and Dave were toying with the idea of a puppy and Laura really wanted a poodle. She had a poodle growing up and her mom had had several poodles growing up. They are a smart dog and they do not shed. So they decided to call and find out about the puppies.

Laura made the call and found out that the dogs were actually located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This was not a problem as they were going to drive through there on their way home. The night before Dave and Laura lay in bed and discussed the puppy and whether they really wanted a puppy and if they got one what would they name it. Laura wanted a french name for the poodle and Dave hated all of the names she suggested. Finally, in frustration Laura stated, "You know, the only french name you would ever like is Jean Luc!" Guess what, Dave loved the name.

The next day they stopped to buy some supplies "just in case" they decided to purchase the puppy. They finally got to Coeur d'Alene and pulled into the KFC parking lot off of the highway that they had agree to meet the person at. Jean Luc was walking in the grass for the first time and could hardly step over the grass. He was so small. It was love at first sight and of course they took him home. Dave laid int he backseat of the van with him and cuddled while he made Laura drive!

Jean Luc went to work with Laura at Summer Hill Retirement Community and was an instant hit with the seniors. He loved all of the ladies there and would often disappear from Laura's office only to be found in one of his favorite seniors' apartments. He loved those days in Washington.

He did not like when Dave and Laura locked him in the kitchen when they would go away. In fact, he hated it so much he figured out how to pull the baby gate down with his teeth and tugging. Dave and Laura were so confused as to how he kept getting out, that they set up a video camera and left it running when they left. When they came back the could not believe how such a little dog could pull so hard and make a gap to escape out of.

Moving to Wisconsin had its positives and negatives for Jean Luc. The negative was that with Laura's new job, he had to stay home. The positive was that he learned what it was to sleep in a bed on the move out and never went back to his create after that. He loved a bed or lap to sleep on.

Jean Luc was too smart for his own good sometimes and he had a love for Chocolate. He always unwrapped whatever chocolate he ate and never ate the wrappers. One time, when Laura's Grandma (Oma) was visiting, Jean Luc disappeared upstairs into her room, unzipped her suitcase, pulled out the chocolate she had bought, unwrapped it and ate it. Another time, on Christmas Eve, while the family was at church, he unwrapped and ate an entire box of chocolate cherries. He had a nose for chocolate. However, he always regretted it after the fact, especially when the hydrogen peroxide would come out. Jean Luc had 9 lives and despite eating chocolate, surviving being attacked, going blind, he just kept on going.

One of Jean Luc's favorite people was Laura's dad, Bob. I think it was the ice cream cones that they shared that cemented his love for him. He always would go to Bob the minute that he entered the house. Jean Luc and Bob spent many hours sitting together in the big, blue chair.

Jean Luc tolerated the kids, but in his mind they took his place in mom and dad's life and he was correct about that. For 6 months after Josh was born, he refused to sit with Laura, because Josh took his spot on her shoulder. Eventually, he got over it and moved back to her. He even accepted the boys and then me. Jean Luc traveled on an airplane one time to Wyoming for Christmas. That was some trip I hear, a dog, a nine month old, and Laura's grandma all on one flight. You should ask them about that sometime. He visited more states, than some people will in their lifetimes.

Jean Luc was also very routine. He always did things they same way, including needing his drink from a dixy cup at bedtime when he wasn't able to get up and down on his own anymore during his last year.

Taking Part in Halloween - Cowboy Dog

The Hat was not his favorite part

But most of all Jean Luc was a cuddler. He loved a lap and enjoyed time with his family. Even last night, he spent the entire night snuggled tightly against Laura's arm and back in bed. He always slept between Laura and Dave and would rotate between laying against the two. It is amaizng how much space a 6 pound dog can take up.

The bed is a little emptier tonight and although I offered to take his place in bed, it appears that I am still not trustworthy to be upstairs. I will miss my pal and the family is definately sad tonight but we are all thankful for the special gift from God that Jean Luc was to us.

Jean Luc - July 7, 1999 to June 9, 2016