Earlier tonight, Jake crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He went very peacefully.

JTG of the PRB

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Mon Apr-18-11 10:09 PM
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Earlier tonight, Jake crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He went very peacefully.

A final update from:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9662234

It was Jake's time to go. The last couple days he had hardly eaten, and he was always looking downstairs, like he wanted to be down there. It's cool and quiet, and my sister and her boyfriend are usually up late, so he would have company for longer. Last night, he managed to get the door open and went downstairs. Every time my sister tried to coax him back upstairs, he simply stayed put or trotted away. I think this was his way of telling us it was time.

This evening, we loaded Jake into the back of my Subaru and the entire family drove across town to the vet. Jake knew the routine well once he got there, as he immediately walked over and stood on the scale to be weighed. :) Then we were led to a little room down the hall that had a couch, a bunch of plants, a small water fall, lit candles, pictures, and soothing music. We were blown away at how wonderful and comforting it was. We had some time to sit around with Jake, petting him and talking him, before the vet took him to insert the IV into his leg.

While the vet was gone with Jake, we sat around finding ways to lighten the mood, laughing and joking (my dad told my sister and mom about how Klingons mourn their dead - by roaring to the heavens as loudly as they could, to let those in the other world know that another warrior was on their way). We sat and talked and even laughed for about ten minutes when the vet came back in with Jake. He seemed to come to each one of us in turn - we were sitting on the floor in a circle - before he finally laid down. When he calmed down and we were all petting him, it was time. He went so quickly and peacefully, just like slipping to sleep. His breathing slowed, and he was at peace. We all cried, and sat there petting Jake for a few more minutes, and we all were able to give him one more hug before we left.

Outside, my dad and I roared to the heavens like Klingons - to let those beyond the Rainbow Bridge that a friend would soon be joining them.

I just want to thank you all, every last one of you who has commented ans read these threads and sent good vibes. You are all amazing people, and there are no words that can express how grateful I am for all your wonderful thoughts. It means the world to us.

Goodbye, Jake. You were a good, good dog, and you will be greatly missed. It won't be the same without you. You were so sweet and kind, and your tail would wag whenever any one of us came in to visit you, right up until the very end. I consider myself lucky to have called you my dog for the last eight and a half years, and I hope you enjoyed your time as part of our family. We certainly enjoyed having you with us. Be at peace now, and have fun up there with Leo, Arlo, Mack, and all the other dogs we've known. You're a good boy, Jake. I love you.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."