JAKE
Our beloved little “polarpuff” JAKE (west highland terrier) passed away on Wednesday May 21st, 2008 at 1:15 AM at home with his daddy Kevin and little “brother from another mother” JOSH (cairn terrier). He was approximately fifteen years old but cannot be confirmed as he never had a date of birth on his adoption records.
Jake came into our world in May 2003 when Daddy Kevin found him online via Petfinder.com at a Washington state Westie Rescue. We drove down from Surrey, British Columbia and introduced our first little rescue dog Josh to his potential new brother. Both of them got along right away and slept on each other in the backseat on the way home to Canada. A name change was in order for the little guy when we found out he originally had been called FRITZ! Sounded like the owner of the Kit Kat Club in CABARET so JAKE was bestowed on him.
Jake was a beautiful little guy personality wise but a diamond in the rough physically. He needed serious dental care and a cyst removed from his side as soon as we brought him home to our vet. He recuperated brilliantly but was plagued with bad skin and got painful little “hot spots”. After much research and trial with foods and topical medications, he cleared up wonderfully and was a stunning little guy to behold! He had one little tooth on his bottom front jaw that was pushed forward slightly and always made us laugh when we kissed his nose.
Jake never learned how to play. Josh loved to retrieve his squeaky toys when you threw them but Jake would just look at you blankly as if to say “I don’t play that”. He didn’t seem to know how to wag his tail until the last two years of the five we had him for. When he was really happy his little tail would reverberate back and forth quickly just a few millimeters. Such a little character. I think he knew how much he was loved and that’s why he tried to wag his tail….to show his love back. In the last year of his life, Jake would actually come looking for us and stare as if to say “I miss you”. Couldn’t help but cuddle the little monkey and kiss his nose.
Desperately in need of a chef’s hat, Jake always knew when the can opener came out and was under your feet taking a look at what was on the menu that day. Had to be careful he didn’t gulp his food too much as he loved to stuff himself. He would head over and start to cry a little as he would get a tummy ache which could only be relieved by rubbing his little belly and patting his back like a baby until he’d burp! Incredible.
He loved sleeping with his fleece blanket on any of his many doggy donuts and pillows along with Josh. He didn’t care if he was on his back, side, under the bed, you name it. He shared his daddy’s affinity for sleeping!
Always very low key, Jake would get a burst of bravado when he would see a cat and puff up his chest and stick his little tail straight out. I can literally count the three times I heard his little deep “woof” to warn off a cat to take a hike.
He wasn’t able to walk very fast but liked to “stroll” along. In true Westie fashion, if he found a smell he didn’t want to move from, he’d plant himself like a tripod as if to say “hold on a minute…I’m not going anywhere”. I used to tell Josh that the reason we were not moving was Jake had to finish his DOGGIE CSI investigation first and DNA analysis. When he did “have” to move quickly, he trotted like a little pony for a short spurt and go back to “stroll” mode. Within the last few months of his life, his little back legs seemed less and less helpful and he slowed down considerably.
When we went for a car ride, Josh would jump up into the back seat. Jake would put his paws up on the edge of the bottom of the car door and look at me. I’d cup his bottom and lift him while he scampered with his front paws up onto the back seat alongside his pal Josh. I’d look in the rearview mirror with the back windows down and see Josh sticking his head out one side window and Jake out the other.
Like his brother Josh, when you talked to Jake he would stare at you like he was trying to understand the words that you were saying to him. So incredibly smart, he knew he had to have his paws and butt wiped at the door before he proceeded into the house. He was very proud of his little belly band he sported also (candy apple red) and we called them his “hot pants”. He knew how to be stylish and sauve.
Words can’t express the feelings of love, attention, companionship, loyalty, and happiness that Jake brought into our lives. He was the most adorable, attentive, quiet, relaxed little gentlemen you could ever hope to have the pleasure of his company with. He made you stop and smell the roses (and almost everything else) in life. The honor of being in Jake’s presence for the last five years has made all of us …..Daddy Kevin, Daddy Rudi, Daddy Michael, and brother Josh…all the more enriched and enlightened by his gentle, quiet teachings.
We miss you little angel so much. We can’t thank you enough for sharing your love with us all these years. We pray each day that God has given you the fluffiest cloud to rest on and all your dreams at play high up in the sky. We think of you each time we see a beautiful sunset or blow a dandelion into the wind with a wish. We love you always and forever Jake. I’m sure Grandma is keeping you good company in heaven too.