11 years old
Jack Hughes (aka Beauregard Jackson Picket Burnside Johnson Michaud Austin Hughes) died unexpectedly at 1:30pm on Wednesday, Sept. 23, much to his mother’s chagrin. He was 11 years old … which was not nearly old enough for her to feel even remotely okay about it.
Jack found his way to his mother, Jennifer, by way of Colorado Animal Rescue. From the moment he rescued her, he brought a light into her life she didn’t know was missing. He comforted her in sadness, celebrated her highest highs and found stillness with her in the quiet and peaceful moments in between.
Initially frightened of children due to early puppyhood trauma he suffered, Jack came to love and adore his SoL-mates — children who participated in his mother’s children’s theatre, SoL Theatre. He supported them during auditions, through bad days and bullying and was beloved by over a decade’s worth of children. Known for his prance, his happy bounce when he saw someone he loved and his sharp little bark that would let everyone know an adult had entered the rehearsal space, Jack will be dearly missed by every sweet little life he touched. He taught them it was okay to fail, okay to feel … and now, that it’s okay to grieve.
You may think it silly that Jack’s mom is posting an obituary at all — writing of herself in the third person and treating him as if he were … well … human. But she … well … I find that so often we rush ourselves past and through grief, gauging how sad we should be based on what society deems acceptable for us to feel. But Jack was more than a dog for me — he was my soulmate, my baby, my familiar and my friend. And I will honor him the way I would anyone who touched my life — and the lives of so many others — and made me feel loved, trusted and worthy.
A memorial gathering will be held for Jack on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Beerworks in Carbondale, from 4 to 6pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jack’s memory to Colorado Animal Rescue or SoL Theatre Company. But also … you can bring flowers.