June 28, 2023 • 26 mins
Meet Ceasar and his person, James. I love the communication between these two and James' ability to recognize cues from Ceasar and apply them to all of his relationships. It's not only a profound amount of self awareness but another example of the tremendous role pups play in our lives.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Julie Jackson (00:00):
Hey. Hey, welcome to happy tales of happy tales,
(00:05):
the podcast where you'll hearstories of the way pups have
touched our hearts and ourlives. So for the next few
minutes, let everything else goand just listen and smile. I'm
your host, Julie JacksonHey, friends, thanks for being
here. Today I'm sharing aconversation I had with my
(00:26):
friend James and his preciouspup Caesar. One of the things
you'll hear in this conversationthat I just love is just they're
dynamic, and how theycommunicate, and how James is
able to take the cues that hegets from Caesar, and translate
them into relationships with thepeople in his life. And the way
(00:50):
that his communication with hisPup has translated into his his
everyday relationships andimpacted his life. That's one of
the things I love about happytales. I love the stories of
dogs doing crazy funny things.
And obviously, the heartwarmingstories too. And I really love
(01:10):
it when I have the opportunityto talk to someone who's so in
tune with how their dog is somuch more than a pet but really
impacts their life and just areally integral part of their
world. So I hope you enjoy thisas much as I did. Just sit back,
listen and smile.
James (01:34):
Are you I usually do everything from my PC for work
on my laptop, and I'm using myphone this time, so I just don't
know how to use it, I guess.
Julie Jackson (01:44):
Oh, no worries.
I'm the same way. Like noworries. And hi, Caesar. Hi,
buddy.
James (01:51):
I was gonna give this morning but he was already mad
at me. So we decided to not do.
Julie Jackson (01:54):
I think that's totally fair. Thank you so much
for doing this
James (01:59):
problem at all. Have you been
Julie Jackson (02:01):
very good. Thank you. I so I should give the
disclaimer if I look like I'mlike, you know, losing my mind
doing this all the sudden, thedogs just like living with
cottonwood trees in the houseright now. Then I'll be sitting
here and all the sudden likefirst floating.
James (02:19):
How many do you have?
Five? Oh, wow. That's that's ahandful.
Julie Jackson (02:26):
Yes, we we had six and then very suddenly lost
our little Roscoe in November.
So So I say we have five Landry.
My daughter lives with us. AndMolly is hers. And Molly lives
here too. But it's funny. Mollyhas some little chihuahua
terrier mix. And Molly considersLandry's are in her apartment.
(02:50):
So she spends most of her timein there. She comes out to
socialize with us at dinnertime.
And then she's like, let me backin my room. So
James (02:59):
like the other dogs,
Julie Jackson (03:01):
she you know, she's funny. I think she was
what most of them are rescues.
But she I think she was probablyweaned too early. And bless her
heart. She doesn't know how todog and she doesn't know how to
people. Like she just is thatawkward, like social skills. And
so she's really sweet. Like,she's sweet. And she's and she
(03:21):
wants to play with the otherdogs so badly. And then when
they want to, then when theyreciprocate and start playing
with her she like her hackles goup and she attacks them.
James (03:32):
She didn't get that when she was in the letter. And
that's where they learned how toplay and all that kind of stuff.
And she didn't get that. So
Julie Jackson (03:39):
I think you're right.
James (03:41):
But not know it's true for cats. I've heard I think
it's true for dogs too, becausewe did further learn how to play
by it. And they know like thestrength of their, their bite
and stuff. And that's why theysay you don't want to take them
away from the mother too soon.
Because it's not just the milk.
It's the you know, justlearning, I guess. Yeah,
Julie Jackson (03:55):
the social skills. So that's what we think
maybe happened with her. So shedoes okay. I mean, she's not,
she's not one that we have. It'snot where we actually have to
separate them. You know, she canbe down there with them. And
they're really all good withher. I worry sometimes because
the flutes are, I don't know,like four or five times her
(04:17):
size. And so if you know, we'relike, why are you tangling with
them? That's, that's not theydon't ever every now and then if
she gets really aggressive withthem, they'll kind of like make
sure that she understands that.
Hey, we're not okay with that.
But anyway, so
James (04:39):
not for me, I had to for a while a while back the
previous two dogs and theydidn't look they hated each
other. They absolutely hatedeach other. They fought all the
time. And I was like, Okay, thisis never happening again.
Julie Jackson (04:49):
Well, and that's really hard when I have a friend
who rescues and she's had thatwere two different times. She's
had to keep like one dog gets tobe out during the day and one
dog gets to be out. You know, atnight and they have to alternate
because, and we've just beenreally blessed that we've never
run into that because I don'tremember a time I've had less
than three. Like, no wildlife.
Yeah. As a child we did. Ididn't have a house full of dogs
(05:15):
but as soon as I was old enoughto start rescuing on my own
James (05:22):
Okay, so the rescues?
Julie Jackson (05:24):
Yes, we well, okay. I say that we don't ever
buy dogs, but we have two setsof twins are healers right now.
They're almost 13. And they'regirls, Lily and Eleanor. And
they were some friends. It wasan accidental litter that some
friends had. So if they didn'tfind homes for him, they were
(05:45):
going to have to surrender them.
So that they were not like in ahorrible situation. Roscoe our
little guy he was to the Texascattle dog rescue and then the
same thing with the flutes nowthe boys Chuck and Barney that
are the two year old Huskymixes. Same deal. Some friends
of ours, it was an accidentalpregnancy. And they were trying
(06:05):
to find them homes but theycouldn't find homes for them.
And it was one of those thingswhere like the people that were
interested, they didn't feelcomfortable that it was for
loving reasons, you know, likethey just never had anyone
respond that they feltcomfortable sending them with so
they were about to surrenderthem to the Husky right? The
(06:25):
Husky Rescue to see if the Huskyif they could get them adopted
out. And we had already kind offallen in love with them, but
had four at the time. And so,Ricky, who is a reasonable human
being was like, No, we're nottaking to Husky puppies. And I
was like, okay, but you know, Iwould like show pictures. And
I'd be like, Look, he could beyours, you know? And he's like,
(06:48):
No. And then when he found outthey were going to the shelter,
or the rescue, even though theHusky Rescue would have been a
great, you know, they're great,obviously. But he looked in he
goes, Well, I guess we'regetting two puppies. And I was
like two.
James (07:04):
Oh, he was ready to get both of them.
Julie Jackson (07:05):
Yeah, well, I appreciate his heart because I
felt the same way since theywere siblings. He didn't want to
separate them.
James (07:11):
But you were just trying to get one of them that he ended
up going for two routes. Yeah.
The big prize?
Julie Jackson (07:18):
Yeah. Yeah. So Well, tell me all about Caesar.
James (07:22):
Caesar. I wanted to I lost my Maxwell the year before
and or not by? Yeah, probablylike a year before that. And I
wasn't sure if I was gonna getanother dog. And I seen some
Boston Terriers and absolutelyloved them. And so I started to
look for them. And I couldn'tfind any breeders in the area.
So I looked, I called the BostonTerrier society in North Texas.
And they hooked me up with abreeder in Louisiana. And it's
(07:47):
somewhere between Baton Rougeand New Orleans. And so I flew
there it was around Mardi Gras.
And she wasn't sure if she wasgoing to actually sell them
because she was planning onshowing them. But she said give
me about three weeks. And he wasjust like maybe six weeks old at
the time. And I saw his pictureand I'm like I named him Cesar
before I ever gotten home. Itold her that. She calls me one
(08:08):
day I get this message. And it'slike, Hi, this is Tina. She goes
Cesar wanted me to let you knowhe says hello and he wants to
talk to you. And I knew thatthat meant I was gonna get him.
So before I even got him my myfriend Richard named him Pablo.
So he, a lot of my friendscalled him Pablo. And they
that's where the whole publisherthing came from. But I flew
there around Mardi Gras pickedhim up and flew home. He got to
(08:31):
fly to the first class with allthat he got to get spoiled on
the plane. He didn't have to hedidn't go under the seat the
whole time. He was not. He justsat on my lap and oh, that's
just awesome. And so he's justbeen an amazing boy. He's
halfway Well, we did we did. Idid show him several times. He
made it halfway to a championbut he got mad at me because I
kept messing up the showsbecause what was a waiter I miss
(08:53):
do the paperwork and likeeveryone else the other Daddy
does it right.
Unknown (09:00):
Get it together dad.
James (09:03):
And he was already mad at me at the time because I got
into a fight with his teacher inhis agile class so we couldn't
go back there anymore. So Daddy,you so bear with me all the
time. So
Julie Jackson (09:16):
Oh, I love the Pablo shirt picture. So great.
Was that his welcome home party?
James (09:23):
No. So that so they did that was back in around 2016 I
guess it was election year. Andthey just described my friend
John Irish John. He just hadthem all made, or he had a
couple of names. And theneverybody saw them. They loved
them. And so like, we had thewhole group that was there. But
then people that have gone oncruises where they're like, oh,
send me one. Yeah. So like,there's like a lot of people
would vote Pablo shirts andpeople whose public
Unknown (09:46):
that's great. That was great.
James (09:49):
Yeah. So he's a good boy, though. He's all kinds of
stories with them. He's he'she's a paint. He's a bit of a
spoiled brat. It's been verydetermined. like his personality
is very strong. And he he'svery, like there's a place in
the living room where I have tosit on the floor. And when Mike
has to hit the floor, otherwisewe're not playing and he hasn't
(10:09):
considered that plan. And hewill pout until I get in that
position. And once like he'llact like I'm just like he
competed and stuff. He's gotlike Sarah McLachlan playing in
the background. And then once Isit there, he's hot. And he's
running around and he's playing.
It's crazy. I might get too oldfor that, though. Yeah, it's
Julie Jackson (10:30):
amazing how adept they are at training people.
James (10:35):
Yeah, very much. So.
Yeah, he's got a certain way hewould eat he's very picky about
his food. And if I don't prepareit, right, it gets sent back.
Unknown (10:46):
So how does he How does he want it prepared?
James (10:49):
So cuz well, so he's, he can't get used to like one
thing. So if I give like, helikes grilled chicken, right, so
I'll cut up the chicken grill.
He loves it. But then he getsstarted. He won't eat it. And
then I'll go to something else.
So just keep switching right?
The look carriage for a while,which are good for him. But he
just stopped eating those. Hewas on a raw diet. And I had to
stop that because it's justnasty. I mean, it's good for the
(11:10):
dog. Or for me just having it inthe bowl with all the you know
if it was raw, and if he didn'teat it right away. I just I just
couldn't and just touching itwas nasty. So yeah, so he eats
pizza, you cook it for now. Andif it's like a chuck steak or
something, I won't, I won't cookit like I'll just slice that up
for him and just give him alittle bit at a time because
it's not like nasty like chickenisn't slimy. But yeah, so he and
(11:32):
he pretty much eats me he alwayshas to have my food. So if we're
in a restaurant, like I said, onthe patio order seminar, order
him a piece of chicken, the samething I'm having, he won't eat
his I'll have to eat mine.
Unless I put it on the boatdon't have it on like if I took
his chicken, put it on my plateand started feeding in that.
(11:54):
He's totally good with it.
Unknown (11:57):
Oh, so he's smart.
James (11:59):
Oh, yeah. It's.
Julie Jackson (12:02):
So one thing I noticed from his pictures. I was
cracking up because he wouldeither have like this big grin
on his face. Or of course, whenyou were showing him he looked
so serious. And I thought thisguy knows how to work a room.
James (12:20):
Yep. And he just did not want his dogs like run up to
people. And they're like, oh mygod, it's a new person. They fit
me and he's not like that. He'slike, I'm an amazing dog. Come
over here and pet me. That'sgreat. When you come through
your work and your dogs say theycome over, they jump on you.
They want to kiss you, right?
Yes, he goes crazy like that.
But what he what he he'll do sostay in one place. He thinks I'm
(12:43):
so happy to see him that I needto come over and bed and he
won't run to me. He wants me tocome to him.
Julie Jackson (12:49):
Oh my goodness, as well as it should be James.
James (12:52):
Exactly, exactly. But yeah, he's a he's helped me
through a lot of tough times. Ihad a dream, right before the
pandemic and just around thattime, things were not really
good for me. He was right thereby my side. He was my buddy. He
made me laugh every day. Youknow, because he had, you know,
at the time, you know, likeeveryone was out. Staying home
and you couldn't really goanywhere. Well, when you live
(13:15):
alone, that's not very fun. Youknow, so having him around was a
was the best. So
Julie Jackson (13:22):
So have you did you grow up with dogs? Or have
you always had dogs?
James (13:27):
We had we were teenagers.
We didn't have any. It's likekids. I don't think my mom
wanted him. But there were like12 or so we had our German
Shepherds and we had to doconceiva So yeah, we had those.
And then when I moved out on myown I got Maggie and I had
Maxwell now and I've seen her so
Julie Jackson (13:44):
we'll Caesars amazing. So what do you think
you've learned from Cesar?
James (13:49):
Well, what have I learned from you, Cesar? Well, I guess
I've learned just about animalsocializing. I think I may have
over socialized him. But I thinkit's good because when he's key,
he sees other dogs he becausehe's still intact. A male dog
will kind of take that as athreat. So sometimes I have you
(14:11):
know, he knows how to deal withit. Like he knows when a dog is
growling or being aggressive. Heknows how to just be neutral and
kind of keep the peace. It'sreally interesting how he does
it. Yeah, he's not he doesn'tlike trying to attack back he
doesn't act like he or she juststays there and just kind of
acts like everything's good. Andusually the other dog just kind
of backs off some kind oflearning that with people you
(14:32):
know, instead of just trying toattack them back just maybe show
them that they're not that big.
Unknown (14:38):
That's so profound.
James (14:42):
Don't pop up and don't shrink, but just stand your
ground. That's what he did. Hejust stayed there. And he was a
he never got himself fit oranything. So
Julie Jackson (14:50):
ah, it's I love how they model things for us.
James (14:56):
Oh, yes, I'm gonna put him down because he dragged me
mental
Julie Jackson (15:00):
Well, he's like, I've made my parents. He's like
James (15:03):
a famous, famous. But yeah, you'll learn a lot from
them. And you also learned, likeI've learned, I'm add. And I
don't know if you remember thatfrom school, but like, I like I
put the add in Adderall, let mejust say that. And I'm like,
when I started going off, andhe'll he'll just stare at me,
it's really interesting. Hehelps me to stay focused. And he
(15:24):
helps me to, like I've learnedjust from how he reacts to me,
because dogs, they're lookingfor signs from us, they don't
speak our language. So they'relooking for our emotions,
they're looking for sounds orsmells, just to kind of pick up
on on the communication, likeour body language to them. And
so I've learned that, you know,I probably confuse him sometimes
when I'm saying, Hey, you wantto go for a walk? And next thing
(15:45):
I know, I'm reading a book, andhe's like, you're going for a
walk? Sorry. But you learn thatand I'm thinking, Okay, well,
maybe in my relationships withpeople, like I might do that,
and they might feel neglected,or, you know, because I haven't
really finished what I wasintending to do. And I just kind
of went on to something else.
And having him around kind ofhelped me to be more aware of
that. I don't know if he's like,dogs have a talent in that way.
(16:08):
But for some reason, whenever Ifind myself going off into add,
whatever you call add hold, it'slike, he's right there staring
at me. And I'm, like, stoppingto stare at me until I stop
Julie Jackson (16:21):
judging you or is he just like, settle down?
James (16:24):
He would judge me regardless.
Julie Jackson (16:28):
Right? Yeah, that's funny, because of course,
we have multiple personalities,you know, they're all so
different, that there's a lot ofthings that they, I think all of
them are unconditional. But asfar as just their the way they
accept us and love us, but theirpersonalities are always so
unique. And it's funny, becausewe always have we, you know, we
(16:51):
have one personality, at leastthat she'll look at, you know,
you know, you're being judged.
No
James (17:01):
want to play like, constantly want to play.
Julie Jackson (17:04):
Um, you know, it's funny, the dynamic. The
boys, Chuck and Barney, they'restill young, too. But they they
go hard, like, they will justplay play, and then they're
exhausted. And then for youknow, and then that sometimes
that'll last him the whole day.
So they may go hard for like2030 minutes. And then it's
funny, because sometimes theytry to play with the healers,
(17:27):
who are the senior girls. Okay.
And Lily, in particular, Lilyand Eleanor, both from the same
litter. But Lily, bless herheart, she's totally blind now.
And both of them have benigntumors, but Lily's is on her
belly. And it's really large,like really big. So I know, it
causes her discomfort if shelikes just to sit and lay just
(17:51):
so you know, so that it's notputting pressure or whatever.
And so sometimes we especiallyworried that when they start
trying to play rough, andthey'll try to play with her.
But it's funny, because evenlike having that and being blind
and everything, sometimes all ofa sudden we look and she's like
jumping, you know, and she'swanting to play with them, too.
And then she'll kind of put themin their place like, Okay, I'm
(18:13):
done. And so for her, it maylast three minutes, you know,
but she'll even sometimes, andthe boys really want to play
with the girls sometimes justbecause I think that's their
nature. And the girls willindulge them for a little bit.
And then they're like, Yeah,we're done. We're out of here.
So
James (18:33):
we'll see. That's the beauty of having other dogs if
they play with each other. Thisone Yeah, he'll walk up to me.
I've been doing painting in mycondo, and he'll just come up
with his toys. It's so cute.
He's got that likely why? AndI'm like, I can't put my stuff
down and play with them. Becauseit's just so cute. And he'll
walk up to me with his littletoy all the time, just want to
play. I'll be working and he hashis little bed under my desk.
(18:54):
And so I work from home. Sohe'll sleep down there. But then
every now and then he'll juststart getting like really antsy
to walk in the morning and thenat noon, but then, while I'm on
conference calls, he sees mehere, I'm home. I'm talking but
I'm not paying any attention tohim and he doesn't get that. Oh,
Julie Jackson (19:10):
right. I have certain a few days that I work
from home and Lily nowespecially being blind. She'll
hear me on the phone. And whenshe does sometimes she'll walk
up and start barking like whoare you talking to? You know,
why aren't you talking to me?
You're home and you're talkingit should be to me?
James (19:29):
Who else could that be?
There's not really there likethere could be people that own
versus voices.
Julie Jackson (19:34):
And there couldn't be anyone that matters
more than me. Anyway
James (19:39):
absolutely true. You know, I mean, I have two dear
friends a lot of good people inmy life but there's nothing like
the love of a dog. There's justnothing like it.
Julie Jackson (19:47):
That's so true.
That's so true. Well and youknow, I thinking about you
saying how you'll be doingsomething he comes up with his
little toy or whatever. Whateverit is you're doing, it'll still
be there. You know? Oh, so thatI love the fact that you
recognize that and you're like,let's play. Because
James (20:05):
trust me, it's still there. Now. I still haven't
finished.
Unknown (20:09):
It'll be there. It'll be there.
James (20:11):
It's cute because you only get the dog for a very
short time and then you want tolove them all they can face is
just like you sit here staringat me. He's got his toy right
now sitting on his little stoolto get up on the bed. He's
looking at me.
Julie Jackson (20:24):
Yes. So Lily and Eleanor, they're so consistent,
so loyal. They're laying righthere at my feet right now.
They're both I mean, and they'resat down. I would be willing to
bet that Chuck and Barney rightnow are laying right outside
that door also sacked out. Butif I closed that door, then that
would totally not be acceptable.
And right before we started,Chuck was in the seat next to
(20:45):
me. He was like, let's go. Youknow, so yes, they, I've never
been. I've missed anopportunity. Because with all
the dogs I've had in my life,I've never been one to really
learn how to train them. I mean,we learned manners there. It's
not okay for them to not havemanners. But for the most part,
I should probably qualify that.
(21:09):
But but as far as you know,like, being really good about
sit and stay and recall and allthat they know basics, but they
think they're optional. And so Iwas kind of laugh because I'm
like, you'd think that I wouldbe really good at training dogs,
but I just never learned how todo that. But I have never been
owned by a dog that was not anexpert people trainer.
James (21:32):
Exactly. Have you heard of the clicker training?
Julie Jackson (21:36):
I have. I have I've never done it. Have you
done it?
James (21:40):
Yeah, that's how I train Cesar with clicker training. And
so like that's how we learnedall those tricks. And he learned
like I learned he learned tostay away from the Christmas
tree because it just put theskirt folks use. He just pulled
it he just had a sore sometimesif he thinks he's a cat, I think
this dog he just tried to jumpfrom his thing onto the onto the
ledge of the window and wentright down. I'm like,
Unknown (21:59):
failures village.
James (22:02):
Like really, Cesar. But yeah, so the clicker training
really taught him like, what Idid with the tree is I didn't
put the tree up. I just had toscrub down and just the stem of
it. And I would walk over therewith him. And then I would click
as long as he didn't cross overonto the tree skirt. And that he
stayed away from it never wentnear and he was just a little
puppy. Yeah, works. He but youhave to click and treat and I
(22:23):
think with this tricks, though,key key. You have to treat it
like a penis. Treat my hand youain't gonna do it.
Julie Jackson (22:29):
Oh, okay. Right, right. Yeah, now they have
figured out so this will have tobe a whole episode in and of
itself because the boys.
Fortunately, we're surrounded bydog people. But there's a
beautiful border collie on oneside. And I'm not sure if she's
altered or not, because I thinkChuck really has a crush on her.
And there are certain times whenChuck really wants to be on her
(22:51):
side of the fence. And he hasfigured out how to pop the
boards out of the fence at will.
James (23:00):
Oh my god. Wow. Yeah.
Julie Jackson (23:02):
So the fence the the cross pieces are on our
side. There's nothing on thatside to prevent it and the
fences are old enough that youknow those little nails they use
we're not floof proof and sowhen he's determined he just
because they're like this, hejust pops them out. And and then
(23:25):
on the other side, it's two boysand they like to they like to
play like nasty vicious witheach other. But Chuck also knows
how to pop the boards out. Sohe's gotten in their yard
multiple times. And once they'rein the yard together, they're
best buddies like they actcompletely vicious when they're
when the fences between them.
But once they get together, theyjust romp and play and there,
(23:45):
but whenever we see them goingup against the fence, we have to
get him in pretty quicklybecause we know that if we don't
he could bust right through. Andso we would treat them and then
we got where sometimes wewouldn't treat them so that we
don't always have to have thetreats. And now sometimes if
we're really desperate, we justslam the cabinet in the kitchen
(24:06):
that the treats are in. And whenhe hears the door slam, they
come running in so there's somethings they know but
James (24:16):
yeah, he obviously my dad well we had our dogs and he
thought that he could like talkto him and argue with them like
that. They don't know they havea clue what you're saying. I
mean you can't punish a dog adog doesn't realize that he's in
timeout because he did somethingwrong your dog just knows you're
putting in a room right now.
Yeah, that's why when we comehome and he's to eat something
up we know the look on his faceI'm like that's because they
know the fact that when there'sa mess here and you come home
(24:38):
they're gonna get in trouble.
It's not that they you're guiltyI don't think I think it just
because they know that in thissituation. This is what happens
and so if they shore up a couch,they see you come home.
Unknown (24:49):
Yeah, like what I did.
Yeah, yeah,
James (24:53):
exactly. Exactly. This one he has PTO. I think he
chewed a shoe like he started toon a shoe and brought it to me
He put it down and turnedhimself and that was the only
thing he ever chewed
Unknown (25:09):
well, okay,
Julie Jackson (25:10):
I think I think there's about to be some fluff
shenanigans. There
James (25:15):
are keys he's like, normally he's at the park now
it's beautiful outside it lookslike Well, hey,
Julie Jackson (25:21):
I'm gonna let y'all go hit the park. But I
cannot tell you how much I Thishas been so great. And I
appreciate your time so much.
James (25:29):
Yes, definitely. I enjoyed speaking with you as
well and I look forward totalking to you again,
Julie Jackson (25:34):
thank you so much for being here and have a great
one friends. Don't forget tohead over to Facebook and
Instagram to see pictures. Headto the website for your free
gift. Or if you would like toshare a story, any story ideas
or suggestions. And finally, ifyou want to receive this podcast
(25:54):
automatically, please subscribeor like in your pod catcher. And
if you like what I'm doing,please consider sharing and
liking and maybe even beingreally wild and crazy and
leaving a comment so otherpeople can find out about it and
we can share more stories.
please always remember that youare as great as your dog thinks
you are and smooch your pooch,have a great one y'all
Hey. Hey, welcome to happy tales of happy tales,
(00:05):
the podcast where you'll hearstories of the way pups have
touched our hearts and ourlives. So for the next few
minutes, let everything else goand just listen and smile. I'm
your host, Julie JacksonHey, friends, thanks for being
here. Today I'm sharing aconversation I had with my
(00:26):
friend James and his preciouspup Caesar. One of the things
you'll hear in this conversationthat I just love is just they're
dynamic, and how theycommunicate, and how James is
able to take the cues that hegets from Caesar, and translate
them into relationships with thepeople in his life. And the way
(00:50):
that his communication with hisPup has translated into his his
everyday relationships andimpacted his life. That's one of
the things I love about happytales. I love the stories of
dogs doing crazy funny things.
And obviously, the heartwarmingstories too. And I really love
(01:10):
it when I have the opportunityto talk to someone who's so in
tune with how their dog is somuch more than a pet but really
impacts their life and just areally integral part of their
world. So I hope you enjoy thisas much as I did. Just sit back,
listen and smile.
James (01:34):
Are you I usually do everything from my PC for work
on my laptop, and I'm using myphone this time, so I just don't
know how to use it, I guess.
Julie Jackson (01:44):
Oh, no worries.
I'm the same way. Like noworries. And hi, Caesar. Hi,
buddy.
James (01:51):
I was gonna give this morning but he was already mad
at me. So we decided to not do.
Julie Jackson (01:54):
I think that's totally fair. Thank you so much
for doing this
James (01:59):
problem at all. Have you been
Julie Jackson (02:01):
very good. Thank you. I so I should give the
disclaimer if I look like I'mlike, you know, losing my mind
doing this all the sudden, thedogs just like living with
cottonwood trees in the houseright now. Then I'll be sitting
here and all the sudden likefirst floating.
James (02:19):
How many do you have?
Five? Oh, wow. That's that's ahandful.
Julie Jackson (02:26):
Yes, we we had six and then very suddenly lost
our little Roscoe in November.
So So I say we have five Landry.
My daughter lives with us. AndMolly is hers. And Molly lives
here too. But it's funny. Mollyhas some little chihuahua
terrier mix. And Molly considersLandry's are in her apartment.
(02:50):
So she spends most of her timein there. She comes out to
socialize with us at dinnertime.
And then she's like, let me backin my room. So
James (02:59):
like the other dogs,
Julie Jackson (03:01):
she you know, she's funny. I think she was
what most of them are rescues.
But she I think she was probablyweaned too early. And bless her
heart. She doesn't know how todog and she doesn't know how to
people. Like she just is thatawkward, like social skills. And
so she's really sweet. Like,she's sweet. And she's and she
(03:21):
wants to play with the otherdogs so badly. And then when
they want to, then when theyreciprocate and start playing
with her she like her hackles goup and she attacks them.
James (03:32):
She didn't get that when she was in the letter. And
that's where they learned how toplay and all that kind of stuff.
And she didn't get that. So
Julie Jackson (03:39):
I think you're right.
James (03:41):
But not know it's true for cats. I've heard I think
it's true for dogs too, becausewe did further learn how to play
by it. And they know like thestrength of their, their bite
and stuff. And that's why theysay you don't want to take them
away from the mother too soon.
Because it's not just the milk.
It's the you know, justlearning, I guess. Yeah,
Julie Jackson (03:55):
the social skills. So that's what we think
maybe happened with her. So shedoes okay. I mean, she's not,
she's not one that we have. It'snot where we actually have to
separate them. You know, she canbe down there with them. And
they're really all good withher. I worry sometimes because
the flutes are, I don't know,like four or five times her
(04:17):
size. And so if you know, we'relike, why are you tangling with
them? That's, that's not theydon't ever every now and then if
she gets really aggressive withthem, they'll kind of like make
sure that she understands that.
Hey, we're not okay with that.
But anyway, so
James (04:39):
not for me, I had to for a while a while back the
previous two dogs and theydidn't look they hated each
other. They absolutely hatedeach other. They fought all the
time. And I was like, Okay, thisis never happening again.
Julie Jackson (04:49):
Well, and that's really hard when I have a friend
who rescues and she's had thatwere two different times. She's
had to keep like one dog gets tobe out during the day and one
dog gets to be out. You know, atnight and they have to alternate
because, and we've just beenreally blessed that we've never
run into that because I don'tremember a time I've had less
than three. Like, no wildlife.
Yeah. As a child we did. Ididn't have a house full of dogs
(05:15):
but as soon as I was old enoughto start rescuing on my own
James (05:22):
Okay, so the rescues?
Julie Jackson (05:24):
Yes, we well, okay. I say that we don't ever
buy dogs, but we have two setsof twins are healers right now.
They're almost 13. And they'regirls, Lily and Eleanor. And
they were some friends. It wasan accidental litter that some
friends had. So if they didn'tfind homes for him, they were
(05:45):
going to have to surrender them.
So that they were not like in ahorrible situation. Roscoe our
little guy he was to the Texascattle dog rescue and then the
same thing with the flutes nowthe boys Chuck and Barney that
are the two year old Huskymixes. Same deal. Some friends
of ours, it was an accidentalpregnancy. And they were trying
(06:05):
to find them homes but theycouldn't find homes for them.
And it was one of those thingswhere like the people that were
interested, they didn't feelcomfortable that it was for
loving reasons, you know, likethey just never had anyone
respond that they feltcomfortable sending them with so
they were about to surrenderthem to the Husky right? The
(06:25):
Husky Rescue to see if the Huskyif they could get them adopted
out. And we had already kind offallen in love with them, but
had four at the time. And so,Ricky, who is a reasonable human
being was like, No, we're nottaking to Husky puppies. And I
was like, okay, but you know, Iwould like show pictures. And
I'd be like, Look, he could beyours, you know? And he's like,
(06:48):
No. And then when he found outthey were going to the shelter,
or the rescue, even though theHusky Rescue would have been a
great, you know, they're great,obviously. But he looked in he
goes, Well, I guess we'regetting two puppies. And I was
like two.
James (07:04):
Oh, he was ready to get both of them.
Julie Jackson (07:05):
Yeah, well, I appreciate his heart because I
felt the same way since theywere siblings. He didn't want to
separate them.
James (07:11):
But you were just trying to get one of them that he ended
up going for two routes. Yeah.
The big prize?
Julie Jackson (07:18):
Yeah. Yeah. So Well, tell me all about Caesar.
James (07:22):
Caesar. I wanted to I lost my Maxwell the year before
and or not by? Yeah, probablylike a year before that. And I
wasn't sure if I was gonna getanother dog. And I seen some
Boston Terriers and absolutelyloved them. And so I started to
look for them. And I couldn'tfind any breeders in the area.
So I looked, I called the BostonTerrier society in North Texas.
And they hooked me up with abreeder in Louisiana. And it's
(07:47):
somewhere between Baton Rougeand New Orleans. And so I flew
there it was around Mardi Gras.
And she wasn't sure if she wasgoing to actually sell them
because she was planning onshowing them. But she said give
me about three weeks. And he wasjust like maybe six weeks old at
the time. And I saw his pictureand I'm like I named him Cesar
before I ever gotten home. Itold her that. She calls me one
(08:08):
day I get this message. And it'slike, Hi, this is Tina. She goes
Cesar wanted me to let you knowhe says hello and he wants to
talk to you. And I knew thatthat meant I was gonna get him.
So before I even got him my myfriend Richard named him Pablo.
So he, a lot of my friendscalled him Pablo. And they
that's where the whole publisherthing came from. But I flew
there around Mardi Gras pickedhim up and flew home. He got to
(08:31):
fly to the first class with allthat he got to get spoiled on
the plane. He didn't have to hedidn't go under the seat the
whole time. He was not. He justsat on my lap and oh, that's
just awesome. And so he's justbeen an amazing boy. He's
halfway Well, we did we did. Idid show him several times. He
made it halfway to a championbut he got mad at me because I
kept messing up the showsbecause what was a waiter I miss
(08:53):
do the paperwork and likeeveryone else the other Daddy
does it right.
Unknown (09:00):
Get it together dad.
James (09:03):
And he was already mad at me at the time because I got
into a fight with his teacher inhis agile class so we couldn't
go back there anymore. So Daddy,you so bear with me all the
time. So
Julie Jackson (09:16):
Oh, I love the Pablo shirt picture. So great.
Was that his welcome home party?
James (09:23):
No. So that so they did that was back in around 2016 I
guess it was election year. Andthey just described my friend
John Irish John. He just hadthem all made, or he had a
couple of names. And theneverybody saw them. They loved
them. And so like, we had thewhole group that was there. But
then people that have gone oncruises where they're like, oh,
send me one. Yeah. So like,there's like a lot of people
would vote Pablo shirts andpeople whose public
Unknown (09:46):
that's great. That was great.
James (09:49):
Yeah. So he's a good boy, though. He's all kinds of
stories with them. He's he'she's a paint. He's a bit of a
spoiled brat. It's been verydetermined. like his personality
is very strong. And he he'svery, like there's a place in
the living room where I have tosit on the floor. And when Mike
has to hit the floor, otherwisewe're not playing and he hasn't
(10:09):
considered that plan. And hewill pout until I get in that
position. And once like he'llact like I'm just like he
competed and stuff. He's gotlike Sarah McLachlan playing in
the background. And then once Isit there, he's hot. And he's
running around and he's playing.
It's crazy. I might get too oldfor that, though. Yeah, it's
Julie Jackson (10:30):
amazing how adept they are at training people.
James (10:35):
Yeah, very much. So.
Yeah, he's got a certain way hewould eat he's very picky about
his food. And if I don't prepareit, right, it gets sent back.
Unknown (10:46):
So how does he How does he want it prepared?
James (10:49):
So cuz well, so he's, he can't get used to like one
thing. So if I give like, helikes grilled chicken, right, so
I'll cut up the chicken grill.
He loves it. But then he getsstarted. He won't eat it. And
then I'll go to something else.
So just keep switching right?
The look carriage for a while,which are good for him. But he
just stopped eating those. Hewas on a raw diet. And I had to
stop that because it's justnasty. I mean, it's good for the
(11:10):
dog. Or for me just having it inthe bowl with all the you know
if it was raw, and if he didn'teat it right away. I just I just
couldn't and just touching itwas nasty. So yeah, so he eats
pizza, you cook it for now. Andif it's like a chuck steak or
something, I won't, I won't cookit like I'll just slice that up
for him and just give him alittle bit at a time because
it's not like nasty like chickenisn't slimy. But yeah, so he and
(11:32):
he pretty much eats me he alwayshas to have my food. So if we're
in a restaurant, like I said, onthe patio order seminar, order
him a piece of chicken, the samething I'm having, he won't eat
his I'll have to eat mine.
Unless I put it on the boatdon't have it on like if I took
his chicken, put it on my plateand started feeding in that.
(11:54):
He's totally good with it.
Unknown (11:57):
Oh, so he's smart.
James (11:59):
Oh, yeah. It's.
Julie Jackson (12:02):
So one thing I noticed from his pictures. I was
cracking up because he wouldeither have like this big grin
on his face. Or of course, whenyou were showing him he looked
so serious. And I thought thisguy knows how to work a room.
James (12:20):
Yep. And he just did not want his dogs like run up to
people. And they're like, oh mygod, it's a new person. They fit
me and he's not like that. He'slike, I'm an amazing dog. Come
over here and pet me. That'sgreat. When you come through
your work and your dogs say theycome over, they jump on you.
They want to kiss you, right?
Yes, he goes crazy like that.
But what he what he he'll do sostay in one place. He thinks I'm
(12:43):
so happy to see him that I needto come over and bed and he
won't run to me. He wants me tocome to him.
Julie Jackson (12:49):
Oh my goodness, as well as it should be James.
James (12:52):
Exactly, exactly. But yeah, he's a he's helped me
through a lot of tough times. Ihad a dream, right before the
pandemic and just around thattime, things were not really
good for me. He was right thereby my side. He was my buddy. He
made me laugh every day. Youknow, because he had, you know,
at the time, you know, likeeveryone was out. Staying home
and you couldn't really goanywhere. Well, when you live
(13:15):
alone, that's not very fun. Youknow, so having him around was a
was the best. So
Julie Jackson (13:22):
So have you did you grow up with dogs? Or have
you always had dogs?
James (13:27):
We had we were teenagers.
We didn't have any. It's likekids. I don't think my mom
wanted him. But there were like12 or so we had our German
Shepherds and we had to doconceiva So yeah, we had those.
And then when I moved out on myown I got Maggie and I had
Maxwell now and I've seen her so
Julie Jackson (13:44):
we'll Caesars amazing. So what do you think
you've learned from Cesar?
James (13:49):
Well, what have I learned from you, Cesar? Well, I guess
I've learned just about animalsocializing. I think I may have
over socialized him. But I thinkit's good because when he's key,
he sees other dogs he becausehe's still intact. A male dog
will kind of take that as athreat. So sometimes I have you
(14:11):
know, he knows how to deal withit. Like he knows when a dog is
growling or being aggressive. Heknows how to just be neutral and
kind of keep the peace. It'sreally interesting how he does
it. Yeah, he's not he doesn'tlike trying to attack back he
doesn't act like he or she juststays there and just kind of
acts like everything's good. Andusually the other dog just kind
of backs off some kind oflearning that with people you
(14:32):
know, instead of just trying toattack them back just maybe show
them that they're not that big.
Unknown (14:38):
That's so profound.
James (14:42):
Don't pop up and don't shrink, but just stand your
ground. That's what he did. Hejust stayed there. And he was a
he never got himself fit oranything. So
Julie Jackson (14:50):
ah, it's I love how they model things for us.
James (14:56):
Oh, yes, I'm gonna put him down because he dragged me
mental
Julie Jackson (15:00):
Well, he's like, I've made my parents. He's like
James (15:03):
a famous, famous. But yeah, you'll learn a lot from
them. And you also learned, likeI've learned, I'm add. And I
don't know if you remember thatfrom school, but like, I like I
put the add in Adderall, let mejust say that. And I'm like,
when I started going off, andhe'll he'll just stare at me,
it's really interesting. Hehelps me to stay focused. And he
(15:24):
helps me to, like I've learnedjust from how he reacts to me,
because dogs, they're lookingfor signs from us, they don't
speak our language. So they'relooking for our emotions,
they're looking for sounds orsmells, just to kind of pick up
on on the communication, likeour body language to them. And
so I've learned that, you know,I probably confuse him sometimes
when I'm saying, Hey, you wantto go for a walk? And next thing
(15:45):
I know, I'm reading a book, andhe's like, you're going for a
walk? Sorry. But you learn thatand I'm thinking, Okay, well,
maybe in my relationships withpeople, like I might do that,
and they might feel neglected,or, you know, because I haven't
really finished what I wasintending to do. And I just kind
of went on to something else.
And having him around kind ofhelped me to be more aware of
that. I don't know if he's like,dogs have a talent in that way.
(16:08):
But for some reason, whenever Ifind myself going off into add,
whatever you call add hold, it'slike, he's right there staring
at me. And I'm, like, stoppingto stare at me until I stop
Julie Jackson (16:21):
judging you or is he just like, settle down?
James (16:24):
He would judge me regardless.
Julie Jackson (16:28):
Right? Yeah, that's funny, because of course,
we have multiple personalities,you know, they're all so
different, that there's a lot ofthings that they, I think all of
them are unconditional. But asfar as just their the way they
accept us and love us, but theirpersonalities are always so
unique. And it's funny, becausewe always have we, you know, we
(16:51):
have one personality, at leastthat she'll look at, you know,
you know, you're being judged.
No
James (17:01):
want to play like, constantly want to play.
Julie Jackson (17:04):
Um, you know, it's funny, the dynamic. The
boys, Chuck and Barney, they'restill young, too. But they they
go hard, like, they will justplay play, and then they're
exhausted. And then for youknow, and then that sometimes
that'll last him the whole day.
So they may go hard for like2030 minutes. And then it's
funny, because sometimes theytry to play with the healers,
(17:27):
who are the senior girls. Okay.
And Lily, in particular, Lilyand Eleanor, both from the same
litter. But Lily, bless herheart, she's totally blind now.
And both of them have benigntumors, but Lily's is on her
belly. And it's really large,like really big. So I know, it
causes her discomfort if shelikes just to sit and lay just
(17:51):
so you know, so that it's notputting pressure or whatever.
And so sometimes we especiallyworried that when they start
trying to play rough, andthey'll try to play with her.
But it's funny, because evenlike having that and being blind
and everything, sometimes all ofa sudden we look and she's like
jumping, you know, and she'swanting to play with them, too.
And then she'll kind of put themin their place like, Okay, I'm
(18:13):
done. And so for her, it maylast three minutes, you know,
but she'll even sometimes, andthe boys really want to play
with the girls sometimes justbecause I think that's their
nature. And the girls willindulge them for a little bit.
And then they're like, Yeah,we're done. We're out of here.
So
James (18:33):
we'll see. That's the beauty of having other dogs if
they play with each other. Thisone Yeah, he'll walk up to me.
I've been doing painting in mycondo, and he'll just come up
with his toys. It's so cute.
He's got that likely why? AndI'm like, I can't put my stuff
down and play with them. Becauseit's just so cute. And he'll
walk up to me with his littletoy all the time, just want to
play. I'll be working and he hashis little bed under my desk.
(18:54):
And so I work from home. Sohe'll sleep down there. But then
every now and then he'll juststart getting like really antsy
to walk in the morning and thenat noon, but then, while I'm on
conference calls, he sees mehere, I'm home. I'm talking but
I'm not paying any attention tohim and he doesn't get that. Oh,
Julie Jackson (19:10):
right. I have certain a few days that I work
from home and Lily nowespecially being blind. She'll
hear me on the phone. And whenshe does sometimes she'll walk
up and start barking like whoare you talking to? You know,
why aren't you talking to me?
You're home and you're talkingit should be to me?
James (19:29):
Who else could that be?
There's not really there likethere could be people that own
versus voices.
Julie Jackson (19:34):
And there couldn't be anyone that matters
more than me. Anyway
James (19:39):
absolutely true. You know, I mean, I have two dear
friends a lot of good people inmy life but there's nothing like
the love of a dog. There's justnothing like it.
Julie Jackson (19:47):
That's so true.
That's so true. Well and youknow, I thinking about you
saying how you'll be doingsomething he comes up with his
little toy or whatever. Whateverit is you're doing, it'll still
be there. You know? Oh, so thatI love the fact that you
recognize that and you're like,let's play. Because
James (20:05):
trust me, it's still there. Now. I still haven't
finished.
Unknown (20:09):
It'll be there. It'll be there.
James (20:11):
It's cute because you only get the dog for a very
short time and then you want tolove them all they can face is
just like you sit here staringat me. He's got his toy right
now sitting on his little stoolto get up on the bed. He's
looking at me.
Julie Jackson (20:24):
Yes. So Lily and Eleanor, they're so consistent,
so loyal. They're laying righthere at my feet right now.
They're both I mean, and they'resat down. I would be willing to
bet that Chuck and Barney rightnow are laying right outside
that door also sacked out. Butif I closed that door, then that
would totally not be acceptable.
And right before we started,Chuck was in the seat next to
(20:45):
me. He was like, let's go. Youknow, so yes, they, I've never
been. I've missed anopportunity. Because with all
the dogs I've had in my life,I've never been one to really
learn how to train them. I mean,we learned manners there. It's
not okay for them to not havemanners. But for the most part,
I should probably qualify that.
(21:09):
But but as far as you know,like, being really good about
sit and stay and recall and allthat they know basics, but they
think they're optional. And so Iwas kind of laugh because I'm
like, you'd think that I wouldbe really good at training dogs,
but I just never learned how todo that. But I have never been
owned by a dog that was not anexpert people trainer.
James (21:32):
Exactly. Have you heard of the clicker training?
Julie Jackson (21:36):
I have. I have I've never done it. Have you
done it?
James (21:40):
Yeah, that's how I train Cesar with clicker training. And
so like that's how we learnedall those tricks. And he learned
like I learned he learned tostay away from the Christmas
tree because it just put theskirt folks use. He just pulled
it he just had a sore sometimesif he thinks he's a cat, I think
this dog he just tried to jumpfrom his thing onto the onto the
ledge of the window and wentright down. I'm like,
Unknown (21:59):
failures village.
James (22:02):
Like really, Cesar. But yeah, so the clicker training
really taught him like, what Idid with the tree is I didn't
put the tree up. I just had toscrub down and just the stem of
it. And I would walk over therewith him. And then I would click
as long as he didn't cross overonto the tree skirt. And that he
stayed away from it never wentnear and he was just a little
puppy. Yeah, works. He but youhave to click and treat and I
(22:23):
think with this tricks, though,key key. You have to treat it
like a penis. Treat my hand youain't gonna do it.
Julie Jackson (22:29):
Oh, okay. Right, right. Yeah, now they have
figured out so this will have tobe a whole episode in and of
itself because the boys.
Fortunately, we're surrounded bydog people. But there's a
beautiful border collie on oneside. And I'm not sure if she's
altered or not, because I thinkChuck really has a crush on her.
And there are certain times whenChuck really wants to be on her
(22:51):
side of the fence. And he hasfigured out how to pop the
boards out of the fence at will.
James (23:00):
Oh my god. Wow. Yeah.
Julie Jackson (23:02):
So the fence the the cross pieces are on our
side. There's nothing on thatside to prevent it and the
fences are old enough that youknow those little nails they use
we're not floof proof and sowhen he's determined he just
because they're like this, hejust pops them out. And and then
(23:25):
on the other side, it's two boysand they like to they like to
play like nasty vicious witheach other. But Chuck also knows
how to pop the boards out. Sohe's gotten in their yard
multiple times. And once they'rein the yard together, they're
best buddies like they actcompletely vicious when they're
when the fences between them.
But once they get together, theyjust romp and play and there,
(23:45):
but whenever we see them goingup against the fence, we have to
get him in pretty quicklybecause we know that if we don't
he could bust right through. Andso we would treat them and then
we got where sometimes wewouldn't treat them so that we
don't always have to have thetreats. And now sometimes if
we're really desperate, we justslam the cabinet in the kitchen
(24:06):
that the treats are in. And whenhe hears the door slam, they
come running in so there's somethings they know but
James (24:16):
yeah, he obviously my dad well we had our dogs and he
thought that he could like talkto him and argue with them like
that. They don't know they havea clue what you're saying. I
mean you can't punish a dog adog doesn't realize that he's in
timeout because he did somethingwrong your dog just knows you're
putting in a room right now.
Yeah, that's why when we comehome and he's to eat something
up we know the look on his faceI'm like that's because they
know the fact that when there'sa mess here and you come home
(24:38):
they're gonna get in trouble.
It's not that they you're guiltyI don't think I think it just
because they know that in thissituation. This is what happens
and so if they shore up a couch,they see you come home.
Unknown (24:49):
Yeah, like what I did.
Yeah, yeah,
James (24:53):
exactly. Exactly. This one he has PTO. I think he
chewed a shoe like he started toon a shoe and brought it to me
He put it down and turnedhimself and that was the only
thing he ever chewed
Unknown (25:09):
well, okay,
Julie Jackson (25:10):
I think I think there's about to be some fluff
shenanigans. There
James (25:15):
are keys he's like, normally he's at the park now
it's beautiful outside it lookslike Well, hey,
Julie Jackson (25:21):
I'm gonna let y'all go hit the park. But I
cannot tell you how much I Thishas been so great. And I
appreciate your time so much.
James (25:29):
Yes, definitely. I enjoyed speaking with you as
well and I look forward totalking to you again,
Julie Jackson (25:34):
thank you so much for being here and have a great
one friends. Don't forget tohead over to Facebook and
Instagram to see pictures. Headto the website for your free
gift. Or if you would like toshare a story, any story ideas
or suggestions. And finally, ifyou want to receive this podcast
(25:54):
automatically, please subscribeor like in your pod catcher. And
if you like what I'm doing,please consider sharing and
liking and maybe even beingreally wild and crazy and
leaving a comment so otherpeople can find out about it and
we can share more stories.
please always remember that youare as great as your dog thinks
you are and smooch your pooch,have a great one y'all
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