Jake the Dog, His Story

August 14 was a momentous day for me.  I received a reprieve on life, moved to a new home and was embraced with open arms and scratching behind my ears by my new adoptive owners.

My name is Jake.  I’m a young adult dog with Great Dane and black Labrador bloodlines, which makes me both tall and handsome.  I’m big on kissing and loved to be hugged.  I’m well-trained.  I’m the real deal, the complete package.  All that my new owner has to do is feed, exercise and love me.  And they do, with gusto.  I’m a lucky dog, and I love my new digs.

It wasn’t always this pleasant.  I had a nice home until I was given up by my owners and moved to a new place in the city, where I was kept in a cage surrounded by a mishmash of barking, howling and whining dogs.  Soon, I found myself falling into the same behavior.  And talk about turnover.  It was difficult to make friends because the few dogs I could see didn’t stay long enough to get acquainted.

It didn’t take me long to realize that the barking, howling and whining was a call for help.  When my owners never returned, I knew that my days were probably numbered, too.  I needed to clear my head and come up with a plan.  I resolved to look smart and act friendly when visitors came by to pass judgment and make their selection as to which of us would go home with them and which would stay to keep barking, howling and whining.  I got lucky.

Now, I couldn’t be happier with my new owners.  They’re experienced dog lovers and even had teenagers at one time, so I know they’re capable.  We’re very happy with each other.  Yet, I’m sad when I think about what may have been the fate of the animals I left behind.

They say that a dog is a man’s best friend.  All of us surely can be if given the chance in a caring home.  I have that chance now and am making the best of it.  It would be nice to know that other like-minded pet owners-to-be will adopt a dog from a pound, too.  You’ll find the world’s greatest dog there.  My owners did.  And you’ll feel so good about saving the life of an animal, a new companion who will always be there to love you.

srbottch

Oct 16, 2005

Dedicated to all pet owners who love and care for their animals