Jakey Joe

My sweet, troubled friend. Always first to please, always first to hide, huge, but frightened of the world.

You were my ever-faithful shadow, and like a shadow, you would not be shaken. Happy only when one of your family was nearby, but most of all, me. In the end, it was your fear that doomed you. Your self-destructive, troubling behavior when alone for only a short time, fear of nothing more substantial than shadows, the uncontrollable, fear-filled destruction that was only getting worse, not better.

I may never be able to forgive myself that I wasn't able to fix what was done to you before you came to us... our loving home and family were not enough to repair the damage that brought you to us. The neglect and damage done to you as a sweet little puppy by ignorant people who didn't see the love and need in you is why you were taken from them and given to us... but we couldn't undo it.

The boys miss you so much... and I miss your presence, always protective, always loving. I miss my friend, my Jakey Joe.

Where's your toe... I don't know... please don't go...

I miss you so, my sweet, sad, giant friend. I'm so very, very sorry, sweetheart. I'll never forget you.

Love,
Mommy