Jackson & Truman

Mary Hogan, the owner of Dogma Dog Bakery in Arlington, wishes her five-year-old dog Truman could be a mellow shop dog like Jackson, her beloved ten-year old yellow lab used to be. In his prime, Jackson was the quintessential ambassador for Dogma, content to lounge around the store and accept audiences with his adoring fans.

Recently, though, Jackson’s trips to the store with Mary have dwindled. He’s unable to leap into her car for transport, and he’s still registering distress over a recent floor plan change. Instead of finding a central spot to set up camp for the day as he used to, Jackson paces around the now unfamiliar terrain, panting and whining occasionally, until Mary allows him to escape into the cool quiet of the basement.

On this day, Jackson’s unease seems especially poignant. A trip to the vet earlier in the day uncovered suspicious polyps, and the veterinarian’s recommendation for immediate biopsy creases Mary’s brow with concern.

Truman manages to keep the mood light, following shoppers as they browse, crowding Mary as she bakes a batch of Snickerpoodles, and finally plopping down with a bead on the front door, ready to greet each new visitor with an inhospitable bark.

His youthful mischievousness provides a welcome contrast to Jackson’s pacing and worrying, allowing Mary to focus on the mechanics of reigning in a naughty dog, and not think about the implications of a senior dog who would rather be alone.