Jake was a wonderful dog. Whether it was his intention or not, when he opened his mouth to pant it felt like an unmistakable smile; and when he leaned on you, it always felt like the dog version of a hug. I'll always remember his head popping up in the window of the back door when it was time to eat, and the way he'd totally dominate his bigger, should-have-been much more fierce older brother when it was time for a treat.
Jake kept that smile until the end. Despite the heart-breaking amount of pain he must have been in at times, that smile would still come out. We could all learn lessons from these supposedly "dopey animals" we love. He stood strong for my wife and I, when all we wanted to do was break down. Hardly a whimper, rarely a sad face, Jake was a champion.
So Jake (yes, in my version of Dog Heaven, he can and is reading this), I thank you. You were a great brother, a crucial part of my personal healing process, and a much better pet than I ever was an owner. Your brother misses you, your parents miss you. I can only hope that one day you bless my dreams with that smile again. You will never be forgotten.
