My throat felt tight as I pulled into Jordan Olerud's driveway. I glanced over at the ball that I had just purchased for her service dog, Baker. As I walked up, he looked down at my hand, and it was as if he knew that I was holding something for him. He bumped my hand and I smiled as I gave him the ball. Almost more than anything, Baker loves to play fetch.
As co-publisher of Pet Connection Magazine, I have the amazing opportunity to write about inspiring local pets and people. I first introduced the magazine's readers to Jordan, 15, and Baker, 8, in the March/April 2016 issue of the magazine, which focused on local heroes, human and nonhuman animal alike. In that issue, I wrote:
Baker the Golden Retriever is Jordan’s devoted service dog – and he’s her hero, too. Jordan, who was born with a rare chromosomal disorder in August 2000, relies upon the friendly golden dog to help her stand, walk, and – often most importantly – break the ice with new people she meets. Baker became a part of the Olerud family in 2010. Now eight years old, Jordan is thankful for his support and his selflessness."
As I got to know Jordan and Baker, I wasn't surprised that Jordan didn't consider herself to be a hero - even though I disagreed. Jordan said back in March:
“I looked up the definition of hero. It’s someone who combats adversity, often sacrificing his own personal concern for some greater good. That definitely describes Baker. He always puts my needs first, even when he'd rather be playing ball or socializing."
I thought of this conversation as I smiled at Jordan and Baker two months later. Jordan had recently returned from the hospital - and she'd recently penned one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful things I've ever read. The article, entitled "I hope someone remembers to throw the ball for Baker after I’m gone," was her brave, beautiful, poignant farewell to the world.
In April, I received an email telling me that Jordan was dying. I cried when I read this news; Team Jordan, as they're affectionately called, said that I could call if I wanted to talk, but I was too choked up to do so. When I read her article for the magazine, I was struck by her amazing grace. I was struck by her heroism.
She wrote: "Baker loves to play ball. He can’t get enough of fetching. He’ll return the ball to the throwing machine and happily prance in place as he pleads with his gorgeous dark eyes for me to push the 'throw' button once again. He is hard to resist! This can go on for quite some time, but Baker will rarely decide for himself that he’s had enough. I know from past play times that he will eventually get so overheated that he will pant heavily, and he will tire out his legs so much that he will limp for the rest of the day.
"Baker is my faithful service dog. He’s always there for me, and he takes his job very seriously. The two things that make him the happiest are working for me, and playing ball. As his person, it is my pleasure and my responsibility to take care of him."
With the aid of her computer software, Jordan had written this shortly after a three-week hospital stay. "I was so weak that I slept much of that time," she wrote. "When I was awake, though, Baker was always on my mind. What was he thinking about being away from me for so long? Did he think I had deserted him? We are always together. A separation like this had never happened before. I worried that he must be very unhappy to have no work to do for me. Was anyone throwing the ball for him every day? The hospitalization was very hard, and I wanted to go home to be with Baker, to go ride horses at Little Bit, to travel with my family and to see my friends."
As I sat next to Jordan on her couch, speaking with her nurse, Rachelle, and playing with Baker, Jordan snuggled in a little. My throat tightened again, and then I saw the smile on her face. I remembered that Jordan was at peace. She had written:
I have prayed to the Lord who created me to heal my body so I can do all of the things I once did...This time is different, though. My body is weak and I’m very tired. I’m limping along like Baker after too many fetches... Whether [God says], 'Yes' to more time here on this earth, or says, 'That’s enough,' and brings me to my real home that is with Jesus in heaven, I am at peace. I just hope that someone remembers to throw to Baker every day when it is time for me to go home to Jesus!"
Thank you, Jordan, for sharing your story with Pet Connection Magazine. You and Baker truly are heroes - and we'll definitely remember to throw the ball for Baker. Click here to learn more about the Jordan Fund, which was founded by John and Kelly Olerud in 2003 to provide support to special needs children and their families.
Photographs by Julie Austin Photography shared exclusively with Pet Connection Magazine and Seattle Pets Examiner. For Jordan's entire article, read the latest issue of Pet Connection Magazine here.