SHORT VERSIONMama found me on Petfinder.com, which is a website for animal shelters across the country to post pictures of dogs and cats that need homes. I was at a rescue group in Rossford, Ohio. She flew to Ohio one day last October to meet me and take me back to her apartment in Manhattan.
We are living happily ever after...
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Mama had been wanting a dog ever since she moved to New York City a few years ago. But she lived in an apartment and was away at work all day and didn't think she could take care of a dog. So she says she settled for smiling and cooing at cute canines on the street, much as ladies normally do when they see a charming human baby.
Then one day, she had an appointment with a Reiki Master and energy healer named Aryn Quinn who asked her, "Do you have a pet? I see you with a small dog or cat that would bring you so much joy." Well, according to Mama, that was IT. She'd gotten a SIGN. She decided to immediately start looking for a dog.
She knew there were lots of dogs that needed homes, so Mama went to the animal control shelter in Spanish Harlem and the ASPCA on the Upper East Side. She submitted applications to three different rescue groups in New York City. She called the North Shore Animal League on Long Island. She came up empty each time. Either there were no suitable dogs, or if there were, they went to someone else who had a yard, or another dog, or who was at home all day.
Mama tells me now that I am exactly what she was looking for, but even better. She knew she needed a dog that was small enough to take on the airplane, didn't shed too much, was good with other dogs and kids, and was loving and affectionate. (That's me, alright!)
Mama says she could have waited for the right dog to turn up at one of the shelters in the City, but not only is Mama determined, she is impatient. Lucky for me, she decided to look nationwide for a dog to adopt. That's when she saw my picture, posted by Gloria from Midwest Havanese and Small Dog Rescue, and fell in love with my mug. (Can you blame her?)
On a Monday morning, Mama emailed Gloria and poured her whole heart into the adoption application. "I would give my dog lots of time, attention, and love, and a loving, forever home," Mama wrote. (My name was Banjo then. I'm so glad Mama changed it to Jasper. Suits me so much better, n'est-ce pas?)
Out of more than thirty applications that Gloria got requesting to adopt me, she picked Mama. "I never adopt out of my area," I heard Gloria tell Mama, "but something told me that he should be with you." I'm glad Gloria listened to that thing you humans call your "gut instinct." We dogs do it all the time.
I think Mama and I were meant to be. I don't know what it was, but I liked her right away. She seemed nice and brought some treats for me. She giggled like a little girl when I licked her face. Maybe that's why I like her; because she's silly.
The plane ride to New York was a little scary, but Mama was there to soothe me. We landed at the airport and it was crazy! The first cab driver refused to let a dog into his car. (As if!) Mama soon found a nice driver who drove us into Manhattan.
The lights and noises were scary at first, but I adjusted fast. I know it's only been a few months, but I feel like a New Yorker. I don't jump at loud noises anymore and I like to stand in the street when I'm waiting to cross. (But Mama always pulls me back.)
I love it here and I love my Mama!
P.S. Mama still lives in an apartment, but she quit her office job at the end of last year. She's home all the time now typing at her computer a lot. I like to curl up on her lap and nap.
Today, I went with Mama to her writing group. It was at Snack's mommy's apartment in Midtown. Snack is a 12 pound Pekingese. (That's him on the left.) Snack's mommy, Leigh, is an editor at McGraw-Hill. 
We passed through Greenwich Village on our walk home today from Animal Haven. We were walking down Macdougal Street when I smelled something so delicious my nose started to twitch. I realized the smell was coming from some brown and green bits strewn on the ground. I stopped to investigate and before Mama knew what was happening, I popped one of the bits in my mouth. It was yummy. The brown part was crunchy, but the green part was moist and savory. I wanted to eat more, but Mama pulled me away. 
This is my friend, Ruby. I saw her today at the play group at Animal Haven. I think she's a beagle mix. She was rescued like me. I like to play with her. She smells good and is lots of fun to run around with. 
Sometimes, I wonder where I came from and what I am. All I remember is wandering around the woods in Ohio by myself and being picked up by a human who took me to the local animal shelter. 
Every morning, I go on a big walk with Mama. Sometimes, we leave the building and turn left to walk towards Union Square and around Gramercy Park. Other times, we turn right and walk a few blocks to the Hudson River, down to the Leroy Street dog run, back through West Village and home to Chelsea.
I met a really pretty Papillon the other night named Alice. (See, there's a picture of her, below.) Her long hair! That lovely tail! Wouldn't we make a cute couple? She was in my play group the other night. 
