oneday8035: blog 
oneday8035's blog
remembering man's best friend
Published Sep. 3, 2008
This is the text from a speech that my son had to write and present in his public speaking class today.
Remembering Man's Best Friend
What are the qualities that make an individual inspirational? Some would say to be artistic. Some would say to be courageous. Some would say to be modest. To me, what I have come to value are intelligence, resilience and a sense of adventure.
At first when this was assigned, I considered many people on which to base this commemorative speech. It wasn't until yesterday morning when my Labrabor Retriever Jake was put down that I realized what a true inspiration he was. Jake was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. this cancer has only been seen one other time in a dog. Jake underwent months of chemotherapy and other extensive treatments, including surgery. Despite the horrors of cancer and even more so, it's treatment, Jake was a survivor. Cancer tried to break Jake's spirit but he would never give in. He never whimpered and rarely showed pain except when you looked into his eyes. In the midst of all of the pain Jake stayed resilient.
When Jake was still healthy he loved to wait at the front door for our family. As soon as you got inside Jake would stand on his hind legs, at his full 5 ft height , plant his paws on my shoulders and give me a big kiss. Even at the bitter end, when he was nesrly immobilized, he would still lay in front of the door waiting for my family to come home and then try to get up and show us how much he loved us.
Not only was Jake a survivor but he was an adventurer. He loved seeing new things and exploring. Some of Jake's favorite things were swimming in the ocean, taking walks and riding in cars and boats. Anything to get into the world and see what was going on. It was funny, maybe even neurotic, but in a car he would pace from window to window as if to make sure he didn't miss a thing. Once, when we were sitting on our boat, 40 miles offshore, Jake jumped right into the ocean. He swam around the boat a couple of times and then climbed right back in, with his curiosity filled and the brown paper sack he'd seen floating.
Some people see dogs as nothing more than dumb slobbering animals but if you are one of those people and ever met Jake it would seriously make you question those assumptions. Jake was extremely intelligent. Most dogs learn to ask for water but not Jake. Jake learned that the sink was the source of water, much like his welcome home kisses, he would jump up and drink straight from the sink. Jake also taught himself how to climb ladders, open doors and even learned to recognize the spelling of words like walk, car and boat.
Jake was a truly once in a lifetime companion. He will me missed by all who had a chance to get to know him. Jake was a perfect example of why dogs really are man's best friend.
In Memory of Jake
December 2, 1999 - September 2, 2008
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GOLO member since February 19, 2008
September 3, 2008 10:25 p.m.
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September 3, 2008 8:24 p.m.
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September 3, 2008 8:00 p.m.
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September 3, 2008 7:57 p.m.
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September 3, 2008 6:57 p.m.
GOLO member since February 20, 2008
September 3, 2008 6:41 p.m.
{hugs}
Beth
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
September 3, 2008 6:33 p.m.
/*tears, sobbing, tears */
Trina, your house knows about love. You, Jake, Gus, the rest of the family.... you are all so blessed.
An amazing kid and an amazing dog indicates an amazing woman is taking care of them.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
September 3, 2008 6:13 p.m.
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