Moody Blue
Captain
- Joined
- May 24, 2004
- Messages
- 3,136
Jake was a black lab cross who we adopted as a pup at 5 months old. That was 14 years ago.
We were so fortunate to have chosen him (or maybe he chose us). He was the best behaved, well mannered dog anyone could have asked for. He was truly a member of our family who traveled with us, played with us, vacationed with us. Where we went, Jake went and was welcomed wherever we went. Our two boys grew up with Jake, but he was truly my dog.
Jake was the picture of health until two years ago when he suffered a massive seizure that almost killed him. After several weeks he eventually recovered but was left mostly deaf and blind with some neurological problems. We adapted our home so that he could continue to function as normally as possible and he managed just fine. Recently his health started to decline rapidly and on Tuesday he had trouble getting up and standing on his feet. I knew that I had to make the call but everytime I picked up the phone to call the vet I found myself unable to speak. Finally on Thursday I found Jake laying on the floor unable to stand and in obvious mental distress. At that point I made the most difficult decision I've made in my life. I called the vet and arranged the procedure for yesterday. I took the day off work and spent the morning with him and he had steak with peanut butter and toast as his final meal (his favorite foods). At 2pm, Jake was put to sleep in our home, resting on my lap with his head in my hand as I pet his head. It was peaceful and gentle and quiet and I cried like a baby as I felt the life drain from his beautiful body.
Now I'm not an emotional person but this is hitting me real hard. I always knew this day would come but you are never really prepared for it. I wanted him to live forever as unrealistic as that is. As difficult as it is now, I wouldn't trade a minute of our time spent with him. He has given us a lifetime of memories and I can just hope in return that he knew how much he was loved and cared for. Thanks for letting me share.
We were so fortunate to have chosen him (or maybe he chose us). He was the best behaved, well mannered dog anyone could have asked for. He was truly a member of our family who traveled with us, played with us, vacationed with us. Where we went, Jake went and was welcomed wherever we went. Our two boys grew up with Jake, but he was truly my dog.
Jake was the picture of health until two years ago when he suffered a massive seizure that almost killed him. After several weeks he eventually recovered but was left mostly deaf and blind with some neurological problems. We adapted our home so that he could continue to function as normally as possible and he managed just fine. Recently his health started to decline rapidly and on Tuesday he had trouble getting up and standing on his feet. I knew that I had to make the call but everytime I picked up the phone to call the vet I found myself unable to speak. Finally on Thursday I found Jake laying on the floor unable to stand and in obvious mental distress. At that point I made the most difficult decision I've made in my life. I called the vet and arranged the procedure for yesterday. I took the day off work and spent the morning with him and he had steak with peanut butter and toast as his final meal (his favorite foods). At 2pm, Jake was put to sleep in our home, resting on my lap with his head in my hand as I pet his head. It was peaceful and gentle and quiet and I cried like a baby as I felt the life drain from his beautiful body.
Now I'm not an emotional person but this is hitting me real hard. I always knew this day would come but you are never really prepared for it. I wanted him to live forever as unrealistic as that is. As difficult as it is now, I wouldn't trade a minute of our time spent with him. He has given us a lifetime of memories and I can just hope in return that he knew how much he was loved and cared for. Thanks for letting me share.
