In loving memory of our Jake who we love so much. Jake will be greatly missed and be in our hearts forever.

Jake...my first dog, my family before my family, my best friend.  Jake was a German Shepard/Husky mix who was pure white with beautiful blue eyes.  I have never seen another dog who looked like him. 

I fell instantly in love with my adorable puppy when I adopted him from the pound.  Jake's head was too big for his body.  He had huge ears, a black nose, and lively blue eyes.  It took one day for him to glue himself to my side - a habit which he continued until the last few weeks of his life.  He would follow me from room to room on my daily routines.  If I was out of town, instead of sleeping by our bed, he would wait at the door for me.  Jake was the most gentle, sweet, loyal dog.  I knew he was getting old, he was sleeping more.  But he would still play ball, play tag with the kids, and he loved his nightly walks!  In five days he nosedived.  He couldn't get up.  The vet said hip dysplasia.  I had hope that the pain pills would help him and he would get better.  But after seeing him stuck on our living room floor and yelping in pain, I knew it was the end.  He laid there and looked at me with the saddest eyes. 

"I'm tired Mom."   I loved you too much Jake to watch you suffer.  God gave me the strength because now I am so weak.  I miss you so much.  The last scent you breathed in was me, the last thing you heard was my voice, "I love you! You're my good boy."

He loved me unconditionally.  A part of me feels gone.  It hurts more than I could have imagined.  I find myself looking for him all around me...it's empty.  He was my once in a lifetime dog. 

I know I will see Jake again.  Two days after loosing my sweet boy, I was running an errand.  The sky was dark and raining.   I'm in the store, thinking of how much I miss you.  I was going over the Rainbow Bridge poem in my head.  I was talking to God and asking him to take care of you and give me peace.  I was pleading with him to let you show me the way to heaven.  As I am leaving, I look to the left... there was the most gorgeous full rainbow I have ever seen.  Thank you God for the gift of Jake.  And you will see me again dear friend....on the rainbow bridge.

My Sweet Boy... it has been almost a week.  I miss you.  I look for you everytime I come home.   I see you in my mind in all of your favorite places.  You brought me so much happiness and comfort.  I have realized you helped make home - Home.  Now I have to adjust to home without you. 

Hindsight is always 20/20.  I think you were sick for a while. I wish you would have let me know somehow.  A whimper when your leg would give in.  You had stopped eating as much.  You were so tired.  You were telling me in your own way you were ready to go.  Thank you again for softening my life with your love. 

I saw this quote on someone else's memorial ..(I'm sorry I don't remember the name)

"Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

I tell myself that when I get really sad.