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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Beginning and End (04/16/09)
Jake came to us December 18, 2004. He was a 7 month old Boxer. Before he came to us he lived outside and was dominated by his owner's other dog. It showed. He was so timid and afraid of everything. He hid out in the family room. He would peek around the corner to see what we were up to. He would not come out of his safe haven. Over time he came to trust and love us.

He had some training. He was housebroken, could sit, lie down and shake hands. Some "tricks" we taught him; "Want to go get the mail? Want to go for a walk? Want to go bye-bye in the car?” For the latter tricks, he would wag his stubby little tail, smile (I believed), and start bouncing off the walls. I loved to see how excited these he would get about those little things. He lived for those times.

He loved to play. He was totally intrigued by a flashlight beam. As soon as I shone the light on the floor he would attack the beam. Back and forth he would chase until I shut it off. Another game he loved was “Here kitty kitty!” When I said those words, he would tense up and search the house for the kitty. (We don’t have a kitty) As far as I knew, he had no idea what a “kitty-kitty” was. This did not keep him from trying to find it.

He was smart. Jake knew he was not to get on the couch. I caught him several times and scolded him. However, scolding did not deter him from using the couch as his personal piece of furniture. One day I came home and he was in the office. He was acting a bit suspicious. I went to the couch. It was warm. He had been on the couch again. That dog had heard me coming. Before I came in, he jumped off the couch, ran through the dining room, the kitchen, the utility room and into the office. He poked his head out of the office as if to say "You’re home? I was taking a nap in the office." Very clever.

Recently, Jake had not been eating very well. Since eating was one his favorite things to do, I asked the Vet to check this out. He did notice that Jake’s lymph nodes were swollen. He asked me to check them regularly and let him know if they grew.

Jake continued to lose interest in eating and it did appear that the lumps were growing. I made another appointment.

Monday we took Jake back to the Vet. The Doctor agreed that the lumps had grown. He took a sample and sent it for evaluation. He called the next day. The message was bad. "Mr. Jensen, I'm sorry. It is lymphoma and Jake's time is limited." We discussed the options: Drugs, Chemotherapy, or euthanasia. Drugs or Chemo offered little hope. I told him I would call him back after talking to my wife, Jen.

I couldn't call her. All I could do was pet Jake's head and cry. Jen found me on the couch with our dog. Yes, that couch. When she asked what's wrong? I said, “It’s Jake. The Vet called. It's bad." I was unable to say more. I didn't need to. She knew.

I called the Doctor to ask if Jake was in any pain He said no, Jake feels very sick and his health will rapidly decline. He did not deserve that. So we made the difficult decision to put him to sleep. Our appointment was Thursday.

Thursday I told Jen "It's time to go." When I took his leash from the rack, Jake was still happy that to be going "bye-bye in the car". I am so glad he did not know this was to be his final trip.

The office was quiet. A blanket was laid out for Jake on the floor. Jen sat with him while I paced the floor. Eventually, I was able to join them. The process took very little time. He felt no pain. We petted him as he took his final breaths. It broke our hearts to see the light fade from his eyes.

A few years ago, I did not understand how someone could feel this way about a dog. They are only animals. Now I understand. I loved my boy.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Connie Dixon
04/23/09
Loved this story. Dog's are so much more than animals. I can really relate to your story...I feel your pain. I miss him, too!
Margaret Gass
04/24/09
Jake was a lucky dog, because he had humans who loved him very much. You have done a good job conveying that love. Jake's fondness for your couch made me grin, because my lab does the same thing. She even rests her head on the arm cushion. When I get up or come home, she slinks down to her bed with a look that says, "You didn't see me up there!" :-) My favorite detail, though, is "Here,Kitty, Kitty"--what a picture of Jake's love for you! He was excited to search with you, and never questioned why.

Thank you for sharing this. I am so sorry for your loss, and will keep you in prayer. I'll also be looking forward to your next entry!

Joy Bach 
04/26/09
What a difficult decision. And you transmitted the pain you felt so very vividly. My grown daughters are animal lovers. I plan to forward this story to them. So sorry for your loss.
Nancy Higginson
04/26/09
What a touching story. As a dog lover I can feel the pain of it all too clearly.
Loren T. Lowery
04/27/09
This is so tender and beautifully written. Anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet will get caught up in the emotions evoked by the way you told this story. I liked, too how the MC showed how the love of a pet can sneak its way into a man's heart and change it forever. Well done!
Tallylah Monroe
04/28/09
Oh. I am so sorry.
You wrote this very well. I hope it helped with the healing.
I know how to feels to love these critters. It is so hard when they leave us.
God bless.
Carol Slider 
04/28/09
Oh, how very sad! I'm more of a cat person, but you really made me care about Jake. Well done, and my heartfelt sympathy if this is a true story. It certainly reads like one!