This weekend was a mix of emotions, it was Daddy's birthday and the weather was great so we spent a LOT of time playing outside, but it was pretty sad too...
On Friday Mama and Daddy picked me up from school and I knew something was up because they wanted to talk to me alone. They explained that Jake was getting old and his body wasn't feeling very good. They didn't know what exactly the problem was, but over the years he has gotten grumpier and Mama and Daddy said that it was time for him to go to Heaven to be with Papa Bob.
As you can imagine, I was NOT happy one bit, and neither were Mama and Daddy. Mama and Daddy got Jake and Bella almost 11 years ago when they were tiny puppies. They were always trouble makers, but they were also very good dogs. Jake has been my buddy since the day I came home from the hospital. Mama and I cried A LOT, and then we decided that it would be our job to give him the best day ever.
The first thing on the list was to go for a car ride up to PetSmart to get some yummy treats and dog food. Jake LOVES going for car rides and hanging his head out the window!
After PetSmart we went to A&W for dinner where Jake and Bella got to eat the ice cream out of Mama's root beer float. A&W was one of Papa Bob's favorite places to eat.
When we got home we gave them both a LOT of treats, then decided to take them Jake for a walk. He doesn't walk very well on a leash, but it was still fun.
That night, Mama and Daddy agreed that we could have a sleepover with Jake, he didn't stay in our room all night, but it was fun falling asleep with him there.
That night Mama made popcorn and shared it with him one last time.
The next day Daddy and I were outside working on the landscaping and Jake decided he wanted to dig in the dirt. He didn't get in any trouble, but it did mean that we had to give him one more bath.
After some more treats, some howling at the neighbors, another walk, lots of hugs, kisses, and chin scratches, it was time to bring him to say goodbye. He had so many treats that morning that he didn't want to eat even one more. Ellen and I got to feed the last treats to a cute little puppy named Scarlett who was in the waiting room. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but Mama said that I was very brave, and that the reason we are so sad is because we loved him so much. It helps to know that Jake is in heaven with Papa Bob and that we will get to see him again. I wanted to buy some balloons and send them to Heaven so he would know that we are always thinking of him.
Ellen and Maren don't really understand what happened, but I know they were sad too. I think Bella is pretty sad as well, she doesn't seem to want to eat as much, and certainly isn't as playful. We made sure to give her a lot of extra love this weekend, and some treats too. She even got a piece of Daddy's birthday cake, she licks the frosting off first before eating the cake, just like Ellen!!
We will miss Jake very much.
Linden
