That’s My Buoy. Jack is home ©voyager, all rights reserved.
As you can see above, Jack is home. We had him cremated, and he now lives above our fireplace with my other dog, Lucy. This photo is a special outing to the backyard for a final few pictures beside his favourite buoy toy, which he found and proudly carried home all by himself.
This will also be the final time I post a Jack’s Walk, and that’s been difficult to wrap my head around, but I have one last Jack story to share. That, of course, is the completion of Project Bubbapaw (Jack’s Walk) (Stderr)(Stderr), an artistic endeavour of Marcus’ to make a resin copy of Jack’s foot.
Lovely, custom made felt protectors. Such attention to detail! ©voyager, all rights reserved.
Well, about a month after Jack died, I received a package from Marcus with the resulting sculpture. And It’s an incredible work of art that has quickly become very precious to me. I apologize for taking so long to show all of you, but I wanted to keep it private for a while. Now, I’m ready to share, and so, Ta-Da, here is the polished, resin-bronze foot created by Marcus from Jack’s pawprint.
Oh My! It’s Bubba in Bronze. Art by Marcus Ranum. ©voyager, all rights reserved.
It’s very detailed, although my photos don’t really show it, but it’s remarkable. It looks just like bronzed baby shoes, only better because this is my baby’s actual footprint. Every nub, scar, crook and crevice are there, and it feels comfortably familiar when I rub my thumb across it.
Sorry about the harsh lighting, but I wanted you to see the detail. Art by Marcus Ranum. ©voyager, all rights reserved.
When we talked about making this sculpture, Marcus suggested he might use a bit of sand and sea glass, so I sent a bit of both along with the molded print that Jack and I made at home. I was a bit disappointed not to see them. Then, I opened the second envelope, and my heart stopped for a moment. Marcus had used the sand and glass to make a second pawprint in clear resin.
This is genuinely my Jack. Happily roaming at the beach. Art by Marcus Ranum. ©voyager, all rights reserved.
This piece is even more beautiful than the first. It’s a memory capsule with Jack’s footprint in the sand from his favourite Perce beach (which I keep in a jar on my desk), along with bits of sea glass and shells that I’d found while walking with him.
Together on North Beach, Perce. Sand, shells, glass and Jack. Art by Marcus Ranum. ©voyager, all rights reserved.
These photos don’t do it justice. I couldn’t capture the shine in the sand nor the subtle colours in the glass. I do have one photograph of it, though, that isn’t perfect, but is my favourite way to view it, and that’s through my window in the morning when I rise.
That’s my Boy. Jack is home. Art by Marcus Ranum. ©voyager, all rights reserved.
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Marcus, my friend, thank you. I know you understand how precious these pieces are to me. Thine Art is Great, and so are you. Fabulous, in fact.
The memory of Jack will live on.
That’s lovely work by Marcus. Thank you for sharing it! The resin bronze relief is all about the detail and the pawprint in sand is more stylized.
Just cried a little. And giggeled from the bouy puns.
Those are beautiful memorials. I have tears in my eyes.
Jack will always be with you. Those are awesome remembrances that I am sure you will cherish forever. Marcus is truly a multi-talented individual, and we are all better for knowing him.
Beautiful.
Wonderful work, Marcus. Ye done Jack proud.
What a lovely way to remember Jack. All my love, voyager.
Oh. Marcus did a great job. What a lovely way to remember your good buoy.
That’s beautiful. Made me tear up.
Funny how grumpy pragmatic nihilistish Marcus has such a deep understanding and flair for the sentimental.
Those are both beautiful works of art commemorating Jack. I do miss him and his adventures with you.
Marcus did an extraordinary job on making those for you, Well Done, Marcus!
They are beautiful lovely and kind work Marcus!
And hugs to Voyager because we never stop missing them.
*hugs*
What a lovely memorial to a wonderful dog. This is a great way to honor and remember him.
Great job, Marcus! It turned out fantastic.
((hugs))) from me if you want them. Beatiful memorial for a much loved family member. Cherish the memories.
Know that you gave Jack the best and sure that he knew it.