Jake

“Every once in a while, if you’re *really* lucky, you might just meet a dog who will become your Heart Dog, your Soul Dog. A dog that you connected with like no other dog before - who is always there and will always be there for you, no matter what. There may be other dogs before and after….”  Mary explains her love for Jake on this TikTok post (sound up):

Mary’s husband loved his Labrador Retrievers. So, in 2012, Mary and he were ready for another fur baby. They were considering adopting another Lab. But when she and Jerry visited an animal rescue event in Coon Rapids, fate had someone else in mind. The moment she saw the scared Beagle, she actually said out loud “Nope, he’s coming home with me.”

Slowly and gently, Mary picked up the frightened Beagle. She sat calmly with him, trying to ensure he knew he was safe. She kissed his head and softly rubbed his floppy ears.

Jake was a very scared little boy

At about a year old, the rescue workers and the team at Northbrook Animal Hospital did give him a good bill of health. However, it was agreed that he was most likely abused before being dumped on the streets in Princeton, MN. He was extremely afraid of anyone and anything. He needed an industrial strength dose of *love*.

Jake wouldn’t speak for more than three months. The vet didn’t think he’d been strangled, rather neglected and abused. Turns out he is *very* afraid of men in general and especially those with facial hair.

Jake gets loves from granddaughter Miranda

Mary and her husband Jerry had a heart to heart chat: Would he please shave his beard so Jake wouldn’t be afraid of him? There was a compromise. He shaved but kept a goatee. While at first not a fan of the new face with less hair, Jake warmed up to him. It helped that treats, scratches, and buckets of love were involved.

Jake getting lovin’ from Dad

As Jake slowly realized he was safe and in his forever home, he started to talk. His deep “Woo Woo” surprised everyone but is a delight. It was one more step in the long journey: love Jake so much that he totally forgets his days living on the cold streets.

Jake considers his escape routes

Until then, Jake retreated to survival skills and found escape routes in the backyard - new fencing was installed. However, Jake continues to find his way to the neighbors homes, who are all delighted to offer him a treat. He also gets to play with Tucker, the Golden Retriever/German Shepard mix.

Jake hanging with Tucker and granddaughter Rhema

In fact, neighbors are the first to volunteer to Jake-sit, if needed. Thank goodness. He really needs a safe environment when Mom and Dad travel. Unknowns will have him quivering, with his tail between his legs and his head down.

Jake and Luna best friends

But those days are mostly gone. The mission of Total Love for Jake is paying off. A big test was bringing Jake to meet a new addition: a Black Lab named Luna.  It was about two years ago and Jerry really did want another Lab. Mary was concerned about how Jake would do with another dog in the house. Especially a big dog.

In walked fate. Again. Luna and Jake hit it off immediately. They play and chase easily with one another, as well as the other pups in the neighborhood. Luna was another point of love that Jake needed.

The house exploded with zoomies; Jake announced intruders with his “Woo Woo” alerts when someone is approaching; there were a lot of Chuck It balls; a large yard (and neighbors’) to run and play. Luna and Tucker have enhanced the quality of Jake’s life. And vice versa. Mary works from home and will quietly giggle when she hears zoomies as Jake and Luna chase throughout the house while she’s negotiating on her own Zoom. And sure as the sun rises in the morning, at 3:30pm, Jake is staring at Mary, wagging his tail as if to say “Mom, it’s time to eat!”

Jake isn’t a fan of car rides but will happily, along side Luna, watch for cars out the front window. As they roll into their driveway, the sight of the two faces framed by the front window warms the hearts of Mary and Jerry.

Are they home? Is that Mom and Dad?

After a good dinner, a run around the back yard, a dream bone and a love, Jake is ready to lay down his head.

Jake quietly shuffles to the warm bedroom. Up he jumps onto the primary bed where he will wait for Mary and Jerry.  Luna loves her bed too.

As Mary herself prepares for bed, she quietly bends down and kisses Jake’s head. He slowly opens one eye. She leans in. He gives her nose a quick lick. It is again the end of a perfect day with his perfect family in his perfect home.

Jake likes fate. So does Mary.

Thanks for saving my life. I love you.

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