6.23.2010

jake...

I took this photo last month in Chicago.  I think it was a restaurant.  Basically, just a place we walked by that shared a name with "bubbie" - our 13 year old German Shorthair Pointer dog who we adore.  He is ever present.  Walks around this otherwise empty house with me all day.  He rides in the car with me just about everywhere I go - except during these too hot summer months.  Jake loves to come along and will go through great lengths to make sure he is never left behind. 

Jake has been in the car, waiting for me on his pillow with his travel water bowl, while I run errands, see movies, go to dinner and even attend weddings (I think he's been to a few funerals as well).  I can't tell you how many valets I've had to tell I would park my own car because my "baby" would take their hand off if they got in the car without me.  Jake has flown with us to Montana and Idaho and driven to Palm Springs.  We take our fella everywhere. He's part of our family.  It's quite normal for us to be out and have our friends or family ask "is Jake in the car"?  He and Andrew Henry go for a bike ride every morning. 

Jake has also run across the street through our neighbors open garage door and into their house where he proceeded to chase their cat around their house.  Naughty boy.  We've been at our next door neighbor's house for dinner and heard a "splash" only find we had left the back gates open and Jake was swimming in their pool.  Naughty naughty boy.  I'm sure many of you have a four legged family member like our beloved Jake.
Father's Day was a difficult one for us here at the Pagoda.  A 3 day vigil of countless vet visits, phone calls and feeding him ice chips.  He was fighting so hard and we were holding on so tight, but his suffering outweighed our hope and we had to say goodbye to our much loved friend.  Our house is full of sorrow right now and our burden feels oh so heavy. 

I'm heading out of town today.  Road trip with my mom to visit the daughter up in Seattle.  Husband will be joining us next week.  Impending joy to help lighten the sadness.  There are guest posts and giveaways and other goodies while I'm away, and I'll be checking in every day so do please still stop by.  Seems blogland is the only thing getting me out of bed lately.  Strange.

This is our daughter, home for Thanksgiving last year, with our Jake - my two babies.  Our beloved Jake.


Ah, when to the heart of man
Was it ever less than a treason
To go with the drift of things,
To yield with a grace to reason,
And bow and accept the end
Of a love or a season?  ...Frost

20 comments:

Maria said...

Perfect tribute J - Jakey would be proud. I know it was hard to write. Still sending you peace. Safe travels.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry about your beloved Jake. Our dogs are like my little babies so I totally get it. He sounds like he was a great boy full of personality and he was lucky to have had such a wonderful, loving family. xoxo

Tess Kincaid said...

A great loss, indeed. We lost our beloved Ralphy three years ago and I still miss him every day. My thought and prayers are with you and your family. Sad, sad news.

Jillian said...

I had a dog named Jake all throughout my childhood. He was a beautiful loveable dalamtion, who thought he was a lap dog. Two years ago we had to say goodbye and I felt like my heart would break into a million pieces.

I know what you are going through, and I offer you my deepest sympathy.

Much love... Jill.

Henley said...

I am sorry for your loss. Dog people are dog people and we all understand. He looks like he was a sweet boy.

KR said...

Run free now Jakey! Hugs.

MaiPie said...

Jakey will be missed. I'm glad I got to spend some time with him recently. What a sweet pup. Hope Seattle helps ease the sadness.

Silver Strands said...

What a tender post!

And let me just say: Your daughter looks beautiful. I know I can't really see her face, but what I do see is GORGEOUS.

Thanks for touching a tender spot today.
oxox
Denalee

MJM said...

I love that photo so much. I hope Seattle will be good as well... I know I am looking forward to having you here!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Thank you all so much for your kind words this morning. Each day brings a less tears.

Willow, you made me laugh - my father's name is Ralph and my mother likes to call him "Ralphy".

Silver Strands - she is even more lovely on the inside, which is better. I will pass along the kind words.

Reya Mellicker said...

What a beautiful post. That photo of his paws. Wow. I can't stop crying - in a good way. The love we share with our dogs is unlike anything I've ever experienced.

Sending so much love to you. Hope you enjoy Seattle.

xx

Anonymous said...

awe, I'm so sorry! I lost my baby about 5 years ago (her name was Chanel, she was a Cocker Spaniel) and she was beautiful! I know what you are going through!! It'll be rough going for a while! Have fun with your daughter & mother though!

Unknown said...

Oh, poor Jake. And poor you! It is devastating to lose a pet, we have definitely been there. Our cats are fairly young, but I already worry about losing them, it is true, pets are truly members of the family. So sorry for your loss, Jeanette.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'm so, so sorry! I know what the loss of a pet will do to you. You wrote a perfect post to honor Jake. He has crossed The Rainbow Bridge. He knows how much you love him still.
Brenda

Unknown said...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Unknown said...
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sarah said...

jeanette my heart is breaking for you and your family! but in my own ding dong way i have decided that the universe sends us all forms of spiritual beings and we are so blessed to learn lessons from each! so people in my life have taught me lessons of betrayal and viciousness and some have brought messages of love and hope. but i have found pets are always the bringers of pure unconditional love! they bring us experiences we would never have without them! but i also believe in forever and the love between your family and jake is not over! enjoy your vacation! moms and daughters are great unconditional love givers!

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

Aw, I'm so so sorry. Such a well written tribute. And such a fantastic photo of his paws.

bronwyn said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. When I was growing up we had a dog named Nancy. She was absolutely my mother's first born and she referred to her as my sister. Pets hold such an important position in families and their loss is felt deeply. My thoughts are with you.

pamela said...

We loved Jake! he was such a character and full of energy. it was comical to hear about his adventures (poor UPS guy! just scared him breaking that glass.)
and he had a taste for fine teas.
we will miss him, too. pam sam and jorja