nobody...

I've always known that Jasper loves Brody. Fiercely. But I've never seen it quite so... "raw" as I saw it tonight at small groups.

Brody has a very special ball that he absolutely loves. Wherever Brody goes, so does his ball. Tonight at small groups, I left Brody on the floor with his ball in the back room and I asked Jasper to watch Brody while I was gone for a second. The next thing I know, I see two older boys (ages 6 and 9, I think) running through the hall with Brody's ball and Jasper chasing them, screaming at the top of his lungs, "GIVE BRODY HIS BALL BACK!!!!" the older boys were screaming "NO!" and holding the ball over their heads, refusing to give it back, and shouting at Jasper. Jasper cornered the boys and continued to shout frantically "GIVE IT BACK!! GIVE IT BACK!!! IT'S BRODY'S!!!!!"

The next thing totally shocked me. Made me a little proud, a little aghast, a little ashamed, a little happy.

Jasper opened up and just started pummeling the older boys.

It took the older boys by surprise, but they soon started kicking Jasper and punching him. Jasper continued hitting and kicking the older boys, with huge gulping sobs coming out of his mouth as he continued to scream "GIVE BRODY HIS BALL BACK!!!!" and they continued to kick and him and say, "NO!!!"

Did Jasper back down? Not on your life. Did he pause? hesitate? think about what he was doing?

No way.

While screaming, "IT'S BRODY'S BALL!!!" he took a step back, lowered his shoulder, and with all his strength body-slammed the 9 year old against the wall (Kathy, if you're reading this, I'm so sorry Jasper body-slammed Ethan!!). The 6 year old continued to punch Jasper as Jasper continued to body-slam the 9 year old, who held the ball, against the wall.

And it was at this point that I finally caught up with the boys and pulled them apart (like, I literally had to pull them apart like they show in movies). The next words just melted me. Jasper, sobbing, gulping, frantic, his face bright red with tears streaming down his cheeks, said, "Momma! Dey took Brody's ball!!! I need your's help protecting my Brodybug."

Oh, Jasper. So fiercely loyal. Such a great character strength.

And this is when I realized...

Nobody, and I do mean nobody, had better mess with Brody or you'll have Jasper to deal with.

Bullies, you've been warned.

*** should I deal with the whole "kicking-punching-bodyslamming" issue? probably. but for now, I'm happy in the knowledge that:
A. Jasper can most definitely hold his own and
B. Brody will be fiercely protected.

*** we got Brody's ball back and about 17 seconds later, the older boys and Jasper were all happily playing with cars together, as if the body-slamming event had never even taken place. Boys are great!