This blog ends as it began.  Me mourning the loss of my dog.  Max had years and years to work his way into our hearts.  Poor Jake only had 10 1/2 months.

Max was serious and hard working.  Jake was a happy-go-lucky dude who was a total goof ball.

We loved them both in their own ways.  We’ll miss them both.

In the end, Jake’s exuberant spirit overcame his fragile body.  He passed on October 13 at 2:30 in the afternoon.  I was home alone and got to spend his final moments stroking his big ole head and chest.  He died looking into my eyes, peaceful, but in pain.  Confused, but trusting.

Here is a final picture to celebrate his life.   I may take the blog down after a bit.

The vet appointment had to be changed.  A neighbor’s dog bit HM and we spent Thursday afternoon at the doctor’s office.  Friday morning MA had physical therapy.   HM and MA both had a head/chest cold.  I  just couldn’t get there.

So we postponed it for a couple of weeks.

Kim

Jake has an important vet appointment on Friday.  If you think of us, please say a prayer.

We’re discussing food allergies, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), EPI (inability to digest fat), and hips (which are not good).

We’ve been dealing with the first three for some time.  It makes life complicated with Jake.  But the hips have us really concerned.

For the past few months his back legs have been quite wobbly.  They give out on him after just a short walk.  He has trouble getting up if he’s lying on the floor.  He has trouble getting his back legs under him when he gets down from the couch.  The hips are obviously misshapen.

I’m a angry and sad.  Angry because we asked about hips when I talked to the breeder on the phone.  Sad because with all  his trouble he’s still my boy.   Sad because I don’t know what the vet is going to recommend.  Angry that we may have to make a hard choice.

If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.

This firm foundation in manners is the cause for a lack of posts lately.  I am plum angry about something and every time I sit down to write a post I end up ranting.  So I am just not posting.

I am (however) ranting!  Just not publicly.

Jake vs flour

HM taught Jake a new game.  It is called “defeat the darkness.”

Jake isn’t real big on physical contact.  He  prefers a quick pat on the side, or to have his face rubbed.   I loved to snuggle with Max, so Jake is getting lessons.  He’s doing really well and being fairly tolerant of the close contact.

Today Opal decided to “help.”  She didn’t.  All she did is get very excited, lick my face repeatedly, and get Jake fired up.

Oh well, maybe tomorrow!

My good friend Paula took these pictures.  She does a great job.   Her GSD, Einstein is the one sharing Jake’s funky monkey.

Jake and I

Jericho Jake

Jake and Einstein