Farewell Tribute to Our Boy Jake

I've waited a couple of days to write this post because I wanted to find the right words to let you all know that we lost our boy Jake on Tuesday. I have the post already written of the events leading up to our suddenly losing him, that I will post after this. I want this post to be a tribute to a dog that I came to love very much. 

~Jake, the first day we met~

It was exactly 317 days ago that I'd met Jake. His first life was spent with someone who'd served in the military, and when there was a divorce, Jake was given to his parents. When the parents no longer had time for Jake, they felt that he'd be happier in another home. We became Jake's second foster home when it was realized that he was unable to do flights of steps. He settled in easily and nicely and got along with our crew and found his spot within the pack. 

Proving an old dog actually can and does adjust to a new life, Jake spent his time with us enjoying all the smells of the country and all the other joys of being canine. 

He mastered the art of the assistant chef in the kitchen and all things food related. 

You couldn't help but  notice that Jake was a big boy, and we tried to help him on his weight-loss journey. But it didn't help that he appointed himself the official dog-bowl-cleaner, making sure all leftover morsels did not go to waste. We tried .....  

Jake didn't know any tricks like shake, speak, or roll over . . . But he did know sit . . . 

And he had a smile that truly warmed my heart. His affection and trust for everyone he met was as intense as his love for finding a cool place to sleep and living life how he wanted. Something we happily let him do.

Jake is survived by a pack that misses him, and by two people who are heartbroken and wish they could have given him a few more hugs and a few more of those new treats he was really enjoying. 

In lieu of flowers, as Jake's foster home, we are requesting that you spend this week giving your dogs or cats extra treats, and extra hugs - the same goes for people too. And most importantly, consider giving second chances to senior dogs like Jake. Because two-legged or four, everyone deserves to be loved to their fullest potential.

And allowed to be who they are . . . ❤❤❤

God speed Jake. Thank-you for being part of our lives and thank-you to GRREAT, the rescue that was there for him when he needed a place to go. I know in time the ache of your loss will soften. But that gratitude in my heart for having the chance to know you and love you, will not.