Jake the Shepherd

Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is the theme of a work of poetic prose written some time between 1980 and 1992, whose original creator is unknown. The theme is of an other-worldly place to which a pet goes upon its death, eventually to be reunited with its owner.
    • Bronze

    Jake the Shepherd

    Today we let Jake go.  As is always the case, it#%92s not an easy decision but one that we make because we love them enough not to allow them to suffer.
    Jake has been going downhill steadily in the past week.  This morning he had to be driven across the street to the park, one of his favorite places.  He just couldn#%92t make it that far.  His back leg has been giving out and his breathing was getting progressively worse.  There was a small amount of dark blood in his stool, and I found that he had thrown up his breakfast.  All of this combined let me know that his time was near.  I wanted him to leave in arms that loved him and for him to know that he was cared for right to the end. Jake and I went for MacDonald#%92s, then went and lied on the grass for one last talk before going into the vets.
    Thank you to German Shepherd Rescue of BC for bringing us Jake and allowing us to care for him even for such a short time.  He was only with us 5 weeks
     Run free sweet boy.  There are many at the Bridge to meet you.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Run free Jake.
     
    And hugs for you and your family Snooks.
    • Gold Top Dog
    ...Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears,but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you...
    I loved you so-`twas Heaven here with you.
    --------------------------------------------------

    Lend Me a Pup

    I will lend to you for awhile,a German Shepherd pup, God said,
    For you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he's dead.
    Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three
    But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me.

    He'll bring his charms to gladden you and (should his stay be brief)
    you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
    I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return
    But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

    I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true
    And from the folk that crowd's life's land I have chosen you.
    Now will you give him all your love Nor think the labor vain,
    Nor hate me when I come to take my GSD back again.

    I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"
    For all the joys this GSD will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
    We'll shelter him with tenderness we'll love him while we may
    And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.

    But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned,
    We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
    If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve
    In memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve,
    When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
    We'll have yet another GSD and love him all his life.

    -author unknown
    • Gold Top Dog
    snooks.....I am so sorry about your boy.....he is in a wonderful place......
     
    hdkutz....that brought tears to my eyes......
    • Gold Top Dog
    Amen.
     
    And run free and fast, Jake.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Oh Snooks, I am so sorry Jake's stay with you was so short.  I know from your Introduction posting that you took in Jake to give him a good place as he transitioned across the bridge.  Cancer in dogs is so hard to watch.  Bless you for taking him in.  Jake is now free of any pain.  Run free buddy.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Run free Jake!!!!!!!!  [sm=angel.gif]
     
    snooks I'm so sorry to hear about Jake.  Bless you for giving him 5 weeks of love to carry him across the Bridge so where he can be whole again.
    • Gold Top Dog
    The last thing any dog should see is the loving gaze of his owner.  Job well done, no matter how hard it was to let him go.  Run free, Jake - go find Dancer, she'll show you around. [;)][sm=angel.gif]
    • Bronze
    the dogs stay with you may have been short but his memory with you will be long, its nice to know that his last 5 weeks were begin loved with a family instead of in the "German Sheppard Rescue" you definetlymade the right decision, i know how a dgos ambition can normally take them anywhere.
    You coulkdnt have said bye any other way
    • Puppy
    Aw, I'm so sorry. Sounds like a great dog and it's such a shame you didn't get to enjoy him for very long. :( I'm glad you were able to say goodbye, that should make things at least a little easier to deal with. That, and knowing that you did the best you could for him considering the circumstances.

    I'm sorry for your loss.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Wishing you much comfort for the loss of Jake.  It was selfless of you to take him in and cherish him for those last few weeks and even more so to let him go so gently when he needed to go.  Your strength amazes me...
     
    Be at peace, Jake.