Jake was the gentlest and kindest of souls.  For over ten years was by our side and his presence was truly a blessing.  “Man’s Best Friend” doesn’t even come close to describing how much this animal gave of himself to everyone he ever met.  Always happy, always smiling and always there to brighten up any sad moment or to just be with you in quiet.  We were lucky to have him with us every day that we did.

Looking back,, I think about what an impact this animal had on my life.  Jake was actually born on Mother’s Day and my Mom and I were at the breeders when he was born.  At the time, I was looking for a female Akita but when the breeder called a few weeks later and said that this particular male was going to be a long coated dog, something clicked and I knew that he was the one.  I guess it was fate.  I had no idea at that time how he would change my life and what lessons he would teach me.

Susan Conant, a well-known mystery writer, once had the opportunity to meet Jake and spend some time with him.  She later used him in one of her books and in it, she referred to him as the “Gandhi of Dogs.”  She couldn’t have been more right and that title has stuck in my mind ever since.  He truly was a peacemaker and emitted a soothing calmness to everyone he was near.

It always amazed me that no matter where we were people would cross the street or stop what they were doing to come be near him and touch him and feel his warmth, if even for a moment.  It was always as if everyone knew there was just a little bit of angel in him and they wanted to be near it for just a little while.

Getting Jake led me to dog training classes and after six weeks of Puppy Kindergarten, I never left.  After our first class, I knew that I had found a passion for teaching other people and their dogs and have been doing so now ever since.  Without Jake, I wonder if I ever would have found this.  Jake accompanied me to every class he could and faithfully, for ten years, acted as my co-instructor, always seeking out the puppies and dogs in class that needed guidance and providing them with his teachings.  He would gently but firmly discipline puppies that were unruly and always break up any disputes between other dogs, calmly reminding them of their manners.  He was a master at it, and a far better dog trainer than I.

Jake was also our “go everywhere” dog.  You could take him any place.  He was the kind of dog that when friends called us up and invited us over for dinner or a party, they would remind us to make sure that we brought Jake.  You never had to worry for a second that he would be anything but a perfect gentleman, no matter where he was.  He loved people, kids, and all other animals and only understood what it meant to make a new friend and share some love with them.  Many times his patience was put to the test but he never failed to impress. 

A few years ago, when we got Colten, we wondered how Jake would be with another male Akita in the house.  We had heard such horror stories. Foolish us…  We put Colten down on the floor and it was as if Jake said, “cool, now I get to be a big brother” and he instantly took on his new role and spent his last few years teaching Colten about the ways of our world.  They were best friends and soul mates since that first moment.  I think that with every day that goes by, Colten still deeply misses his friend, but he has flourished as a result of Jake’s teachings.  If there is ever a chance of another dog having as wonderful a soul as Jake, it is Colten and he continues to blossom into something even more wonderful than he is now.  I am sorry Colten for your pain at losing Jake, but he wouldn’t want you to be sad for him.

If it seems as if I am project so many human qualities into a dog body, it is only because Jake truly was a human in a dog suit.  Anyone who ever knew Jake would agree.  He was one of a kind.  Throughout his life, he provided me with the opportunity to work with a number of people who have intuitive insights into dogs and the ability to communicate with them in ways that I am just learning to be able to.  Each and every one of these people always commented on Jakes ability to talk with and share himself with every person he ever met.    Recently, one of these people told me that Jake’s purpose on this earth was to teach and that being in a dog’s body afforded him the best opportunity to do so.  Humans alone can be too contentious, but that when a dog enters the mix they are able to step right in and do their work. The drawback is that their bodies don’t last as long as ours, and so they can’t stay with us as long.  However, because of that, we are provided with the opportunity to experience a number of these teachers in our lifetimes.

I will always remember the faces of the people and how they would light up when we did our therapy dog work and visited hospitals and nursing homes. In fact, Jake’s jovial personality pretty much brought a smile to everyone.  We will miss him terribly, and although there is still an emptiness that won’t ever be replaced, we take a little bit of comfort that he is no longer in any pain, and perhaps in a better place where he can run freely through fields and shower others with his love.  I honestly believe that dogs choose their partners and come to us for a time to teach their lessons, and then when they have accomplished what they set out to do, they leave us to find another soul who might need them more.  I guess it helps me a little bit to think that maybe someone else is as lucky as we were to get to spend some time with him.  I wonder where he has gone and only hope that whoever gets to be blessed with him next knows how special he is and appreciates every second they might have with him.  I miss him so much, but often feel like he is still here, watching over Bruce and me and the dogs and making sure that we are ok.  He truly was an angel and already, I miss my friend so much.  I miss hearing his howl when he’s excited, and not seeing him bounce around the house with all four legs off the ground and not hearing his breathing when we go to sleep at night.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and thank him for every wonderful memory and for every wonderful person who is in my life because of him.

We love you Jake – you really were a gift – an angel, and we thank you.

Canine Good Citizen
Temperament Tested
Therapy Dog International