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An Ode To Jake


What a dog!  Whenever I tell people about Jake, I tell them that he is the dog I always dreamed of having!  So true!  In high school I heard a song called, "Feed Jake."  The chorus went:

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Feed Jake
He's been a good dog
My best friend right through it all
If I die before I wake
Feed Jake

The first time I heard that song, I knew that some day I would have a big yellow lab named Jake.  And for the past 12 years I have.

He was the best!  He was so loyal and so dear to me.  His big ole tale would just wag and his eyes would light up whenever we would come out the door or down the driveway.  When he was happy his ears would perk up and kind of fold back. . . that was my favorite!  Jake was best known in the summer for rolling over onto his back the second anyone walked up to him so that he could get a good belly rub.

Jake was the best!  He was our "fat ole man."  That's what we called him.  He didn't get around very well and he slept a lot, but no matter how he was feeling, if he heard me say his name, he would give a little wag of his tale.  He was the stinkiest dog ever (and maybe the fattest)!  But he was the sweetest!

It is so amazing to me how happy a dog can make you.  There is just something about them.  Jake made me so happy for so long. . . .

And now I'm so sad.  He died today and I am heart broken.  I hurt deep inside.  I've known for a while that this day was right around the corner, but that doesn't stop the hurt.  He was family for 12 years.  We got him when Hays was one and Carolin was living with us.  He's been around as Braner Party of three became four and five and six and then seven.  We have so many memories with Jake.  He was family and now it is so hard that our family doesn't have him anymore.  I know this wound will heal, but for today I'm just going to let myself be sad (and maybe tomorrow and maybe for a few mornings when I wake up and he isn't lying by the door and a few afternoons when I drive into the driveway and I don't have to go uber slow because it would take him so long to get up and get out of the way).

It was terrible watching the kids say goodbye.  Maggie and Dax just loved on him and took a zillion pictures of him and then they curled up in my arms in Dax's bed and we all cried.   Dax said, "he was the highlight of my life."  I didn't think it would be as hard to watch them as it was.  Tiki asked if there was any sad music he could listen to on his iPod.  Jake has been around since before they were even born.  It is going to be a hard adjustment.  My little dears.  Gosh, saying good-bye was the worst!

We love you Jake!  You were the best dog ever!




 

Jake 
2000-2012

Comments

Unknown said…
oh i'm so sad with you! What an awesome dog he was! Hugs to you all!
January 20, 2012 at 6:34 PM
Sweet Carolina Grace said…
Oh, I'm so sorry for your family to lose your beloved pet. It is always so hard to have to let one of them go.
January 20, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Rachel Sparks said…
I am so sorry to hear about Jake. He was truly one of the best dogs. He was a family member and I'll be praying for you guys as you miss your friend.
January 21, 2012 at 1:47 AM
JustJess said…
So sad!!! What a blessing that Jake was a part of your family and that you are all able to remember him and celebrate him in your own way!
January 21, 2012 at 7:47 AM
sabrina owens said…
jamie jo i am so sorry for loss of your dog
January 21, 2012 at 6:17 PM
Michael said…
He was the first real man lab I ever met. He swam better than michael phelps and loved better than Cupid. He never walked on the rocks and always chose the biggest stick, a true thinker. A GREAT dog was he....
January 21, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Fran Alonso said…
hello, here I leave my blog. think about it and if you like, follow me.
http://livetoforget.blogspot.com/
January 22, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Stef Ryan said…
I'm a lurker on your site. Just wanted to send warm thoughts your way-- losing a beloved four legged family member is the worst. :(
January 23, 2012 at 6:01 PM
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