TRIPAWDS: Home to 25112 Members and 2176 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

24 Mar 2013

Rest in Peace

Author: saffronspeaks | Filed under: Uncategorized

This is the post I dreaded most when I began this blog. I knew it would come and hoped it wouldn’t come too soon. Two years after our naughty tripawd became a tripawd at age 14, he passed away at age 16.5 on 3/22/2013. He has left us with sadness in our hearts, but also with a lifetime full of memories.

I first met Jake when he was 8 weeks old. He was wiggly and cute and always looking to get into something he shouldn’t. Stealing Chicken Parmesan leftovers from the table (jumping on the chair, then jumping on the table…you get the picture), chewing bed covers, and not listening in general.

As he grew up, his rein of naughtiness continued. Stealing sips of beer out of glasses/bottles, getting in the trash, and breaking into the “secure” dog food container. We still use the expensive horse feed container which proved to be the only dog food container he couldn’t crack. Stealing almost an entire pizza from my sister, who was NOT pleased. In addition to stealing and breaking and entering, Jake was probably the dog Poison Control received the most calls about in the history of the help line. “Hello, Poison Control, how may I help you?” “My Labrador Retriever just ate a pound of raw meat out of a pan on the stove…what should I do?” “Hello, Poison Control, how may I help you?” “My Labrador Retriever just chewed up a AA battery. I’ve got it out of his mouth, but he is shaking his head like he ate a jalapeno pepper”. “Hello, Poison Control, how may I help you?” “My Labrador Retriever just ate a tube of Neosporin, what should I do?”

Despite all of his naughty behavior, Jake was a really good dog. He loved nothing more than going out to the vegetable garden at the back of our property with my husband and snooping around while my husband Jason tilled the garden. I can still picture him over the last two years hopping out to the garden with almost the same speed he had when he was a four-legged dog. When I was quite ill a couple of years ago and was laying on the bathroom floor, he came and laid next to me and did not leave my side. He followed us wherever we went and always made us feel better when were were down.

Which brings us to the present time. A couple of months ago, vestibular disease entered Jake’s life. While vestibular disease is common in older dogs, it is much more challenging for a tripawd. Jake struggled to keep his balance, and couldn’t walk for almost two weeks. Due his incredible spirit, he was able to overcome the disease and was able to walk again. When Jake first became a tripawd, we bought him the tripawd vest, but never used it much, as he was quick to recover and did not need our assistance. However, when he was struck by vestibular disease, the vest became essential. I don’t know how we would have got through the past few months without it.

Even though Jake overcame vestibular disease, he began slowly deteriorating. I had a hard time seeing this decline. I’ve lost a significant amount of weight in the past two years and one thing I learned about myself in the weight loss process was that I tend to see what I want to see when presented with a difficult personal situation. So, although his eating slowed, I would find foods he liked and when he ate, comforted myself with his progress. Over the past week, I found myself propping him up in the dog pen so that he could stand. My husband started hinting that he wasn’t doing well, but I could only see the improvements from the day/week before. Luckily, Jake’s veterinarian is my mom. She came over for dinner this week and called me the next day to express her concerns about Jake’s state of being. On Friday morning, my husband told me that Jake couldn’t walk at all and that he had to carry him outside. We decided it was time.

On Friday evening, laying on one of our dog blankets, Jake left this earth surround by his dog pals, Labrador Retriever Biggby (age 2), and Labrador Retriever Daisy (age 1). Also in attendance was my mother (who administered his passing), my father, who assisted my mother (he works front desk and assists at another veterinary clinic), and Jake’s oncology surgeon, who is a close friend of the family and was the remover of his leg. I want to thank my mother for making this peaceful passing possible. She is a wonderful mom and a superb veterinarian. I also want to thank our oncology friend who made the last two years of Jake’s life possible and did an excellent job with his surgery. As I recall the day of the surgery, I remember her telling us how her technician was shocked about how naughty Jake was being in the moments before surgery prep began – he was getting into the trash in the surgery prep room. He was 14 years old and had a ruptured tumor on his front leg. But he still was geting into the trash, as he had done all of his life.

Over the past two years, Jake taught me a great deal about life. Although he had lost a leg, he didn’t let it stop him from doing the things he had always done. Until the last day of his life, every time he fell down, he struggled to get back up. His spirit was remarkable and I will carry it with me throughout my life.

On Saturday morning we were scheduled for a 5K and although I was not in the mood to go, I went. As I was leaving the house, I glanced over to see a quote I have on the refrigerator:

“I run because I can.

When I get tired, I remember those who can’t run,

What they would give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them.

I know they would do the same for me.”

So, I laced up my running shoes and I ran for Jake.

12 Responses to “Rest in Peace”

  1. maximutt Says:

    I’m so sorry to hear Jake has passed. It sounds to me that Jake lived life on his own terms: naughty! What an adventure each day must have been living with and watching him!

    • saffronspeaks Says:

      It definitely was an adventure! Many of our friends and family are well aware of all the stories about Jake. While he was very naughty, he was extremely loyal and always by our sides. We called him our little shadow. I miss him so much, but I know he is in a better place now – freed from that old, tired body.

  2. Dakota Dawg Says:

    I am so sorry Jake’s time here has ended. I know how much you will miss him since he was with you for so long. But part of me is celebrating that he died from old age and got so many very good years with people who loved him…and accepted his wild-child ways.

    Jake was a force of nature, determined to do things his way and play by his rules. He won the jackpot. That is truly reason to celebrate. As much as I will be sad that he is gone, I will raise a AA battery in his honor and lick it! I think that would make him smile.

    Shari

    • saffronspeaks Says:

      Thank you for your post. Your AA battery comment made my husband and I laugh. I remember how panicked I was when he had that battery and how mad I was at him for stealing it off the table. I am grateful that he died of old age and that we had so many years with him.

  3. jerry Says:

    Saffron, we were heartbroken to hear about Jake’s passing. As one of our most senior Tripawds ever, it has been wonderful to know how well he did on three legs, he’s been so inspiring — as have you and your own story.

    I know this hurts so much. The only thing I can say is, when you have a bond like the one you shared with Jake, that can never, ever be broken. His memory will always be strong in your hearts and those whose lives he touched, including ours. Those eating stories are hilarious, I couldn’t help but laugh and smile at what you shared here!

    Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you’ve done for the Tripawds community during Jake’s journey. Your generosity is beyond measure. If there is anything at all we can do for you during this difficult time, please don’t hesitate to ask OK?

    with much love & gratitude,
    Rene, Jim, Wyatt Ray & Spirit Jerry
    and the Tripawds community

    • saffronspeaks Says:

      Thank you for all of your support. I don’t know what we would have done without the support of the tripawd community when Jake lost his leg. While I hope our other dogs retain all of their legs throughout their lives, the tripawds community has given us the comfort to know that dogs survive and thrive on three legs, and we would be well prepared to own another tripawd.

      We purchased Jake’s vest from you when Jake became a tripawd two years ago. It is in good shape and I have cleaned it well. Please let me know if someone in the tripawd community could make use of this vest, as I would like to donate it to a tripawd that could make use of it.

      Thanks again for everything.

  4. bruiserbruno Says:

    So sorry to hear about you losing your Jake. He seemed like he was full of life and had a zest and spunkiness about him. We learn so much from our beloved companions that it is impossible for them to leave us entirely. You will always have him with you, in your heart and in the mEmories created throughout his lifetime. His spirit will live on forever.
    MaricEla and Spirit Bruno

    • saffronspeaks Says:

      Thank you for the condolences. I know in the coming days and weeks the sadness will lessen, but the present is difficult, as you know. I can’t believe I will never yell “Jake, stop ___” again, as I have done for the past 16 years. So much in our lives has changed over the past 16.5 years and Jake was the one constant. He is now free from his weary body and I hope is enjoying playing with all of the spirit tripawds, including Spirit Bruno.

  5. fetchon3 Says:

    You ran for Jake! He is so proud of you. I’m sorry for your loss, but it was such a loving goodbye. He lived a very long, very lucky life indeed! Run fast and free, Jake – to all those trash cans!
    ~ Katy

    • saffronspeaks Says:

      Thank you, Katy, for your kind words. I hope Jake is somewhere running and playing with his friend Skeeter, who we lost to a stroke 2 years ago.

  6. angel Says:

    So sorry that you have lost your Jake. He lived life to the fullest and always kept you on your toes. His memories will fill your soul with happiness as you remember and laugh at those naughty things he did. Wishing peace and comfort to you. RIP Jake.

    • saffronspeaks Says:

      Thank you for the condolences. Jake definitely was one of a kind. Our 1 year old Lab seems to be picking up the slack tonight, stealing multiple items from the table. She’s never done this before, so we think that Jake is up there coaching her on how to become a naughty dog!

Leave a Reply