In Memory of Jake, Mr. February 2010

The Male Who Rules My Life - read about Jake in my book The Unfaithful Widow. His is a remarkable story.  The calendar photo was submitted to German Shepherd Rescue, Raleigh, NC shortly after Jake's passing in April 2009. The best Valentine of all they chose him for their upcoming calendar. Now, don't get sad when you see Jake has gone. He had a life that took him four years longer than anyone expected. He ruled my life from the first moment I saw him. He showed up on Labor Day weekend all those years ago causing quite a stir in the neighborhood. No one could get near the beautiful Shepherd with his badly mangled leg. We got him in my neighbor's yard, no tags, and no one responded to our ad. I knew from the first moment I saw him he was mine. A big old bear of a dog, weighing 65 pounds when we found him, blossoming to 95 pounds with love. Jake had some most unusual treatments to keep him walking when his hind legs gave out, acupuncture to get his Qi in order, Chinese herbs, all I could think of to keep him well. The miracle, he started walking again for several more years. Then those legs went again. Jake's journey was as sweet as he was. If you love a story where the dog
is saved and lives happily ever after twice, you will love Jake's tall tale.

Jake's favorite transportation. When he gave out on his walks I'd go pick him up in the wheel barrow. He still walked to the street with his hind end sling, but then liked to have a ride back!

Foxy and Jake liked to play dress up and were often found on my Me Page on Ebay during the years I sold there.
Foxy is still my old gal and has enjoyed the rescue dogs (5) that joined our home after Jake.
Widow Lesson Learned: It took a dog to teach me you can live happily ever after twice.