Many people feel that taking time to train their puppy or dog isn't worth effort. What with everything else we have to do these days in our busy lives, whose got time?Kimberley was just like that. She'd never bothered training Jack…but then, one day…
Kimberly and Jack ran excitedly up to top of escarpment and gazed out over deep blue ocean waves as they rolled in from east. The sun was just appearing over horizon, cool sea breeze on her face made her feel completely alive, and Kimberley was as contented as she had ever been.
The time she spent with Jack, 3 year old German shepherd she had rescued from animal shelter a few months earlier, was most precious part of her life. He seemed to know just what she was thinking and was devoted to Kim to point of being a fanatic.
He wouldn't leave her side…unlike most of other male companions she had previously had in her life.
Jack was perfect companion.
He gave her unconditional love, he was always there for her when she needed to talk to someone, he lavished his undivided attention on her, he never spoke back, and was always waiting patiently for her when she came home from her work at pharmacy.
The early morning walks they shared helped her forget many troubles in her life, and allowed her just enjoy herself.
This morning was special.
She was on first day of her annual two-week vacation, and had plans to take Jack up to mountains hiking and camping for a few days later in week.
The thought of getting away from pressures of daily life made her feel a rush of adrenaline and Jack could sense her excitement, yelping and barking playfully as they frolicked in grass at top of ridge.
They played for over half an hour, then turned to head for home to have something to eat.
Maybe it was excitement of it all, but for whatever reason, Kimberly wasn't thinking straight as she undid Jack's leash to let him run on his own through grassy fields as they descended hill towards township below.
It happened in an instant.
Jack caught sight of a rabbit hiding in grass and took off after animal in a frenzied rush of excitement and playful enthusiasm.
Kimberley called him back, but he was totally focused on catching rabbit and heard nothing but creature's cries for help as it raced towards safety of its borough.
Jack was a beautiful sight to behold as he chased rabbit in full flight across grassy field. Every second he gained on small creature, until he was only 10 feet behind it and closing fast.
But Kim was looking on in horror.
The rabbit had built its borough close to edge of cliff, and Jack was running at full speed towards huge drop down to ocean below.
Kim could feel fear welling up inside her and she frantically called him back as she ran towards cliff top herself. "Stop Jack!", she cried, but he paid no attention to her commands as he chased rabbit towards cliff top.
Just 6 feet short of cliff's edge, rabbit dropped into safety of it's home below ground.
Jack didn't see where animal went, and in few seconds it took for him to realize that rabbit had escaped, his momentum carried him off cliff and over edge.
Kimberley screamed as she saw her beloved companion disappear out of sight. "No!" she cried as she ran headlong towards jagged cliff top.