Thankful for a dog’s special spirit
When you are grieving a loss, it is difficult to be grateful because the sadness is overwhelming. Yet in the month since the loss of a our family dog Jake, I can now reflect on the gift of his remarkable spirit. I hold close the many memories of a life that enriched me and many others.
We adopted Jake, a 4-year old Corgi mix, from our local shelter, Animal Friends Connection on Cherokee Lane. Jake came into my life when our youngest son was preparing to leave for college and I was in my final years of my teaching career. My husband and I were becoming empty nesters.
Jake was given up for adoption because his previous owners were too frail to care for him. Meeting Jake was love at first sight. He was a small dog with short, stubby legs, a barrel-like body, and the markings of a border collie. He had a unique look and demeanor that drew people to him.
Jake did not need any training and quickly became an ideal family pet. He had a mild and loving temperament, and we decided to have him go through certification as a therapy dog. He was a natural as a therapy animal. We went to assisted living, dementia, and skilled nursing facilities. Jake lit up the rooms with his loving and calm demeanor. During his visits, the residents were transported to a happier place.
On one of our visits to a Lodi care home, Jake and I walked up to one of the residents, Evelyn. She was in a wheelchair, her face downcast, expressionless. Jake approached and Evelyn gingerly placed her hand on his head for a gentle pet.
Evelyn lifted her face and began to smile and told me of the dog she once owned. There were tears in her eyes.
About three years ago, I began taking Jake once a week to my River Oaks second-grade classroom. He created a strong and enthusiastic bond with the students. Jake would freely roam the classroom and I would see the students reading, holding their books with one hand and petting their short furry friend with the other hand. He brought a zen-like presence to our room and the kids loved him.
My 91-year-old mother was recently hospitalized and is now at Oak Ridge Health Center in Roseville. In our weekly visits, I would place Jake on Mom’s bed and she would be comforted and take many naps stroking his small, warm body. My mom would have this relaxed, contented look on her face, which always made me feel better.
But finally, what I am most thankful for is the unconditional love Jake brought every day in our home. The greetings, the walks, the warmth of his touch, that look of love, the playful interactions, the kisses on the head. He was my constant companion.
I miss the routine and his everyday presence. There is a pain in my heart that I know, with time, will heal. I never imagined the delightful journey of love that we shared with so many people. Jake forever enriched my life and I will forever be thankful for him.