Remembering Jake

When the boys were 5 and 3 we stopped by a house one day that had a sign out front that said "Puppies--$25". We were taken into the back yard where a bundle of little fur balls came tumbling out and running around the yard. Except for one little guy, who glued himself to AJ's heels and never left him as he walked around looking at all the puppies. Finally he looked down at the little black puppy and proclaimed that he had a nice smile and wanted to take him home.

He named him Jake and from that day on he was AJ's dog. He loved all of us, but AJ was his boy. If we yelled at AJ he tried to lunge at us. Anyone came near the back yard when the boys were out playing he turned into Cujo to keep those boys safe. When we moved to Colorado he travelled with a horse transport and charmed the owners so much they hoped we wouldn't come claim him once he arrived in Colorado Springs. At 65 pounds he thought he was a lap dog and always tried to climb into my lap. He was our friend and or protector for over 12 years.

We lost Jake in March of 2007, but I still miss him. I had a dream about him last night. He was young again, no grey on his muzzle. I asked him if he had come by to check on us. He smiled at me, that cute smile of his, and as I told him how much I loved him and missed him, he slowly disappeared.