Monday, October 11, 2010

Why we foster, Part three: Jake G. Retriever, US Air Force, Retired


We foster because of Jake G. Retriever, US Air Force, Retired.  On December 20, 2009, we drove to Colorado Springs, CO where we picked up Jake at his home just before the movers were coming to pack up the family to leave for overseas.  Duty had called them once again to sacrifice for their country. At 10 years of age, Jake, who had seen five countries and three continents, was being asked to make one more sacrifice for his country.  Jake's family was being sent overseas again, overseas travel and months of quarantine is not kind to old dogs. Jake was showing signs of stiffness in his joints and slowing of his movements, arthritis was moving into his joints.  Transit overseas is never easy, first he would have to spend time in small apartments and transient housing, then he would be separated from his family while separate travel arrangements were made.  The family loved Jake, they loved him enough that they did not want to lock him in a small airline crate and see him spend a day and a half on a plane going overseas. They did not want him to have to spend several weeks in quarantine before joining his family in a small apartment in a foreign land. Then he would be faced with the same confinement in order to come home again in two years, only he would be older and his confinement to travel would be even more painful. Jake was asked to make the ultimate sacrifice for a loving Golden Retriever. He was asked to say farewell to his family and to stay behind and find a new Forever Home, a place to enjoy a well deserved retirement.
Jake had impeccable manners, he had traveled the world, he knew how to behave in every situation. If ever a dog could be “worldly” Jake certainly was. He knew what protocol called for, he knew how to be the perfect companion. He knew how to behave and he knew how to bring love and joy to a home. He was indeed the perfect dog.  Most of us have never been to Japan, but Jake has.  Placing Jake into a new home was easy, the hard part was finding a home that was worthy of him, a home that understood how to treat a hero.   He already had a waiting list of people that wanted to help him in his retirement.  It took two days to find Jake a new Forever Home, he took his bed, his bowl and several favorite toys with him, memories for his retirement.  His bed was so important to him, it was a constant in his ever changing life.   Jake was in his new Forever Home in time for Christmas.  

Below, Jake and I share a moment, he is telling me about his many travels. 

We were proud to help this veteran find peace in his retirement, we were privileged to help him and to help his family serve their country. We thank his family for giving him up so that he could retire in good health and in comfort. We thank the family that adopted him. They knew they had a hero and welcomed him in their home, promising to give him a life worthy of his long service to his country. Thank you for your service, Jake, and have a long and happy retirement.

Mogley G. Retriever

20 comments:

  1. Another winning tale about GReat and winning humans that so understand khommitment and khare even if it khomes with some pain -

    Thanks fur sharing this one!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  2. What a great story - thanks for sharing.

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  3. Now this is a valid reason to rehome your beloved pup. For HIS benefit. Jake would not have been happy in quarantine now that he's older. What a sacrifice he made though, just like his military family. He is truly a hero.

    Happy retirement Jake!

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  4. We would like to salute a group that sometimes doesn't get enough credit: those families that have to give up their beloved pets because of uniques circumstances. God bless them for reaching out to responsible rescue groups to find just the right home for their pets. 20 years ago, it wouldn't have been as easy to place these pets in prequalified, furever homes. Thank you all.

    We're just a little biased. That is how we came to have Lady as our perfect family companion.

    Love your rescue stories.

    KT and Lady

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  5. We have received several "thank you's" from our readers for our link to your blog. They are really enjoying your series, as are we.
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  6. Fantastic! I'm sure Jake's family was heartbroken to give him up, but it sounds like it was the best decision for him. And it is always great to hear about people making hard choices that are the best decisions for their pets. We're SO GLAD that Jake found the perfect retirement home! We love this story!!!!

    -Fiona and Family

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  7. God Bless The USA .....
    Thank you Mogley and thank you Jake for your service.

    Hamish & Rescue Sophie

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  8. Ah! Very sweet story! So sad for Jake to part with the family he had traveled with for so many years, but we know he must have found a very special forever home :)
    Love the photo of you and Jake in the SNOW telling secrets!!!!!

    Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
    Sierra Rose

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  9. That is love, when you step back so somebody you love will be safe and secure. And that is love and caring too when somebody helps to make it work.

    Jake, where ever you are, I am sending my love to you too.

    Trudi, mommie of Earhardt, Lady(senior), Sandy Paws and Oliver.

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  10. That's a great story, but so sad. I feel sad for the family who had to say goodbye.

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  11. Woof woof woof! What a great dog. And nice hoomans too. :)

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  12. How sad... I hope his family can see him again when they return, but they made the best choice for a dear old friend...

    Sam

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  13. God bless you Jake and your family for giving you up to help you. Mogley, you are one special golden too.

    Woofs,
    Nadine Apples & Neeli

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  14. Oh how beautiful .. we are so pleased that Jake's comfort and wellbeing was considered above all else. That's how it should always be. Happy retirement Jake.

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  15. What a touching story--Now it's your turn to make me cry!! I'm always thankful when people make an unselfish choice for their beloved companions and so thankful when there are those like you are there to help them find their way and families who open their hearts and home.

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  16. (sniffing) what a touching story.

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  17. I can't imagine how it must have been for Jake's first family to say goodbye to him, but it was so loving of them to put his well being first - and I hope is retirement is long and happy with his new family.

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  18. As a rescued/redeemed GR I get how hard it is to leave your peeps, but transitioning into a loving and caring family takes away the sting. Tucker

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  19. That is a wonderful heart-warming story. Thanks for helping Jake and many other dogs. I am also SO impressed that his family loved him enough to let him go to a new forever home. We once adopted a 10 yr old Lab whose family made that sacrifice for him. Sometimes, what's best for the dog is different from what would easiest for the people.

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  20. I can't wait until you write a book Mogley. I will be your publicist, okay? Another amazing story.

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