Jammer, an endearing eccentric old lady

Today's story is very special.

Adopting a senior is a journey. From the moment a senior enters your house, your life and your heart change forever. Every journey is different and you never know what lies around the next bend.

Jammer came into her momma's life at the age 0f 10 1/2 years. The vet thought they might get to share one year together if they were lucky, instead they gave each other over four of the best years together.

Jammer has taken a piece of her momma's heart with her, but she didn't make her heart smaller, she gave it room to grow.


Jammer came to live with her family at age 10 ½. She is now 14 years, 9 months. All things considered, vet bills for Jammer have not been particularly extraordinary, but it HAS been a slow and steady dribble of this and that.

Jammer has been, and continues to be, very determined and steely (by the way, her race name was Steele Jammin).


Jeff saved Jammer from the Longview animal shelter after she had wandered out of her yard. Her adoptive mom just never came looking for her! She was skinny and covered with fleas. Jammer’s had to endure some other bad experiences in her past, too, so she’s hanging on to this happy ending as long as she can. Jammer’s like that little old white haired lady who can swing a mean cane.

She keeps her “younger” (8 ½ and 10 ½ ) sisters in line and remains the boss lady of the house.

An endearing image, that I am fortunate enough to still see repeated, is of Jammer digging holes to China in the soft soil out behind a garden bench. Dirt will be flying from behind the bench, then it will stop, and this sweet and tragicomic little white face will pop up and peep out between the slats in the bench. “Are you watchin’?” “I’m somethin’ , aren’t I?”
Yes, Jammer…you are indeed.


"Jammer leaves behind many lives that she has touched through her tremendous spirit and goofy personality. I don't think any of us will forget her obsession with sniffing door handles and her sweet snaggle tooth. Despite her age and her apparent poor health Jammer had many happy years in the Sale household, sharing it with a number of senior girls and at the cutting edge of endearing eccentric old lady behavior. She was a joy to be around and will be sorely missed."

Steele Jammin • July 12, 1994-May 19, 2009