Missing Jakers

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to a great friend. He was my parent's dog and he was almost 8 years old. Jake was the perfect dog for us and we loved him so much. He was great with the boys and loved to snuggle up with you on the couch. He loved to play with them in the house or outside, chasing them around and playing fetch.

He was also a wonderful "babysitter" when the boys were little. If they were crying or fussing he was right there to see if they were okay and licking their face. He would also come bark at you if you took too long to check on them. He was also excellent at letting us know if the boys were getting into trouble, by blowing their cover with barking or just coming to get us and leading us to them!

He was afraid of anything that moved and made noise, but he loved going for walks and rides in the car. He may have had an undiagnosed anxiety disorder, but we loved that about him. He was always at the door to greet you when you came home or came over to my parents.

He seemed fine last weekend, but Monday was acting funny so Tuesday morning my dad took him into the vet. They found a tumor in his lungs that was covering his whole left lung leaving only one lung to function properly! We waited to make sure there was nothing else we could do and after a rough night on Thursday night we knew Friday he would have to be put to sleep.

We spent the day holding him and loving him up! He had a hard time eating the last few days because the tumor was pushing on his esophagus. We took him for a walk (he sat in the wagon) and for a car ride before bringing him to the vet.

Ironically he was the calmest he has ever been when we got there. It was comforting to see that he wasn't nervous or scared and we felt he was ready to go. We couldn't stand to see him in pain any longer or watch him cough up blood anymore!

It was hard to say goodbye and hard still to realize that he is gone. Last night was so strange to come over to my parents house and not have him there at the door to greet us or not hearing his pitter patter on the tile throughout the house. I gave Elijah a bath last night and it sure felt weird to not have Jake right next to me making sure Elijah was ok.

No one really knows what happens to animals after they pass away, but I would like to believe they go to heaven as they are one of God's creations.

When we told the boys about Jake being sick and needing to go see Jesus, Jonah sure had a hard time with it. He and I shed tears together and held each other as we talked about all the fun times we had with Jake. Jonah also said "Hey, Grandpa Bob loved Jakers and I bet he is going to take good care of him for us and share his french fries with him." (My grandpa who passed away on Isaac's birthday did love Jake and also loved tormenting him with french fries during his last year on earth).

We sure miss you Jake and I am so glad for so many great memories with you and with the boys! Even if we get another dog, he will never be like you!