Remembering Jak Trueman…

Today I am looking forward to spending the day amongst friends. Some I have known for a long time, some I haven’t seen for a while, and others that I consider friends yet I have never met them face-to-face – until today. So where am I heading off to?

Ladies Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show

Balgeddie House Hotel – Sunday 7th May, 2017.

Following the hugely successful event at Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club in November, this is the first event hosted here in Fife.
We will be enjoying an Afternoon Tea with a glass of prosecco and Fashion Show hosted by the lovely Zara Janjua from STV Grampian & Edinburgh.

Without Jak the event today would not be happening, but sadly it is the very fact that Jak is not with us that brings us together. Today we are recognising and celebrating a young lad who is no longer amongst us, but will very much be at the heart of today.

Jak’s Story

(Extract taken from here)

Jak’s Journey was set up by my beautiful son Jak Trueman in September 2014 after he awoke from a medically induced coma after taking very unwell with what was diagnosed as Gama Delta T-Cell Lymphoma-a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Sadly after an amazing fight and show of strength courage and determination beyond his years and unending thought for others, Jak lost his battle on 2nd February 2015.
Jak’s passing will not be in vain though as he set out clear requests to help others through Jak’s Den.
Jaks Journey page will continue keeping everyone up to date with all Jak’s plans and how his family and friends and new Charity Trustees being set up are making Jak’s wishes a reality.
In the 3 weeks since he was given the terminal diagnosis, Jak raised more than £57,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and we will continue to support this Charity whilst realising Jak’s wishes. To find out more about Jak’s Den and how you can get involved please go to-
www.teamjak.co.uk.

Jak’s passing will not be in vain. I’d still have my boy over any of this in a whisper but there is a higher purpose in all of this to touch many lives in so many ways because of my boy and we will make sure many many other children teens and adults are helped because of Jak.
Simply The Best xxx – Allison Barr

Jak’s Impressive Memories

I first knew of Jak’s journey when friends started to share his fundraising work in 2015. A friend, Teresa (who I’d met when we both waddled into antenatal classes together and then spent 5 years with our little ones at nursery) asked me about making a fingerprint charm for her friend Allison, mum of Jak.

When we first started to arrange this we hadn’t realised how quickly Jak’s health would decline, and sadly Jak passed away. But this didn’t stop us! Taking impressions after someone has passed was something I offered and Allison was still able to capture Jak’s prints.

Fingerprint jewellery is such a subtle and discreet way to hold onto a memory. Our fingerprints are as unique as we are and being able to capture, keep and cherish Jak’s prints has brought comfort to many of his family.

Photo credit – Allison Barr.

At the event…

We shared funny moments about handbag contents and watched the amazing achievements so far that have been done at Jak’s request. Allison makes it look so easy as she stands and shares their journey.

Watching the progress of Jak’s Den opening, families being supported, funds being raised, music therapy sessions helping young warriors and their families. But it doesn’t stop there…

There are plans now to open more Dens, one here in Glenrothes and another in Aberdeen, to support more families across Scotland. An online facility for those who can’t meet in person is also in the pipelines. This family don’t do things by half!

As we drank coffee and enjoyed a sandwich we were entertained by a fashion show or we could browse the local business stalls – Bodyshop, Cherished by Lynsey, Impressive Memories, Robyn Rocks, Scentsy, Crystals and jewellery.

Thank you

Well done and thank you to Allison and Team Jak for a lovely afternoon.

• Raffles – 1979 I was just 5 when we got Raffies, he was a Yorkie. Throughout growing up, Raffies was just always there – holidays, trips – wherever we went, he went!

• Ziggy – 1992 I was finishing 6^th year at high school planning to head off to Aberdeen in the Autumn to study Music for four years. We had to say goodbye to Raffies the day after my final school performance.  Having never lost a dog before, the heartache was a whole new and horrible experience. But, it made way for Ziggy.  I had wanted a westie FOREVER, the deal was that if we got a puppy I would train him before leaving home – which I did.

• Eilidh – 1997 After completing my degree I came back to Fife (through necessity, not choice) but Ziggy was well and truly no longer my pup, so I’d bought my own house, I needed my own westie!

• Arthur – 2009 Erin was now the age I was when we got Raffles, and I felt it was a good time for us to get a puppy. Caring for a dog teaches children about life, responsibility & respect. Arthur is our beardie – with his one blue eye and one brown, he is quite a character.

• Farrah – 2014 As a gift to myself for plunging into full time self employment, I decided I wanted a cockapoo!! Working from home meant they weren’t left alone, they’d keep me and each other, company. Farrah is a lively little lady who drives us mad with her nonsense!

Why am I rambling on about my dog owning history?

Well, for me, dogs are a huge part of day to day life and they have been a big part of my most Impressive Memories over the years.  I would encourage all pet owners to consider capturing a memory of their pet.  I am happy to help explain what can and can’t be done with your four-legged friend.

I think it is also very important when you choose someone to work with your pet that they are relaxed and happy to be around dogs and that they have enough experience to keep your pet safe, relaxed and enjoying the whole experience too!

I absolutely LOVE casting paws.  The detail in them is so amazing and paws are so unique…just like our hands are…so combining the two is such a fab memory to capture.

I have cast enormous Rottweiler paws, down to tiny little terrier paws…each paw I’ve cast has had its own story to tell. Some happy, some sad but all impressive.  The bond between a dog and their owner is so special and seeing the dogs trust their owner, and me, letting me dip them in sticky gloop is magical.

Digit was a very impressive Rottweiler.  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t petrified when he arrived! He was a very VERY large dog who had been through a lot of treatment and had every right to not trust me…but he was an absolute gentleman. (He did terrify me by growling in my left ear as my jugular was within eating distance, but of course he didn’t…he much preferred his tub of fresh strawberries! No sausages for this beautiful boy).

We knew when casting him that his time left was shortened, but nobody realised that by the time his cast was finished and competed (approx. 5-6 weeks) he would no longer be with us.  It made the cast even more impressive for his owners who were very glad to have captured and held onto a memory of Digit.

Guide dogs are truly impressive and I was genuinely in awe of the bond this chap had with his long serving owner.  Man and dog relied on each other.  They communicated in their own language and in their own way.  It was a heart breaking situation as both man and dog now needed different levels of care which meant staying together was just no longer possible.

Thier friend arranged for me to cast the loyal duo.

Nothing was going to stop the pain of separating them, but having a tactile memory of his best friend, we hoped may bring comfort and reminders of happy times. This guide dog deserved a long and happy retirement by the sea…which is what he got.

Not all castings are sad occasions.  Most are done for fabulous four legged furballs who are just as much part of the family as the human ones are.  Do you know a dog owner who might like to have a cast created?

Can all breeds of dog be cast?

Yes, and no. Some are much more suitable than others but potentially all can have a cast taken. It’s the final end result that is important and that is why I prefer to have a chat to owners first to explain some of the problems which might make your dog more or less suitable to have a paw cast taken.

Is it only for dogs?

No, I have cast cats too, again…best to get in touch if this is something you’d like to do.

My pet has passed away, am I too late?

I am able to help after your pet has passed away, but timing is absolutely essential. Every minute that passes makes it less likely to be achievable so please, I know it is a horrendously difficult time, but if this is something you’d be interested in – contact me.

Do I need to travel to you with my dog?

Yes, I need to meet your dog in ‘person’ to create a 3D life cast. I live beside a reservoir and woodland area which is a fantastic walkies for after your work of art is created. I can sometimes arrange a home visit. Again, just ask.

I offer a range of 2D paw imprints and outprints. These are perfect for dogs that are less suited to 3D casting.  They are quick, fairly mess free and still give lots of in depth detail.  You can create plaques, framed pieces, hanging decorations, Christmas decorations…all sorts.

Yes, I mean ceramic painting for dogs…why not? Have you seen the mess a toddler makes with a paintbrush? Well trust me…dogs can be just as creative!!!  Proud parents love to see their child’s hand prints painted on mugs…why shouldn’t we celebrate those paw prints too?

One of my absolute faves…solid pure silver dog nose, but not just any dogs nose…YOUR dogs nose.  Those noses are as unique as our fingerprints.  On a necklace it can look stunningly abstract and certainly a talking point.

Paw prints can be shrunk onto charms just as hands and feet prints can.

Distance is no problem for all jewellery items. All pieces can be bought online and created by posting a kit to capture the details that I need to make your impressive memories.

Thanks for reading and taking a ‘paws’ out of you busy day.  If I can ‘lead’ you to any more information, just ‘howl’ and I will em’bark’ on helping you.

Is it time to go walkies now?

Have an Impressive Day, Jen x