Jake

Jake is nothing short of 18 pounds of love, but it wasn't always like that. Halloween of 1998,
Jake was unwanted, unloved and uncared for. His owner called JCCARE because her husband
hated the dog so much he had taken to kicking him and leaving him outside all the time with the
fence open, "Hoping he'd just run away."

When we collected Jake the very next morning, the owner's husband barely even wanted to stop
his truck, he threw Jake out the window and drove off. We actually had to chase him down to
have him sign the legal release form!

At this point Jake weighed 10 lbs, and was skin and bone. He had no hair from the middle of his
back on down- including a completely naked 'baboon butt'. He had worms, fleas, a skin
infection, and he stank to high heaven but he clung to my mother all the way home, like he was
drowning and she was a life jacket.

JCCARE had Jake neutered and sorted out at the vet, and within days the light returned to
Jake's eyes, and he began to interact with the other Chin here. Within a week he had developed a
strong bond with Miso, another pet. Every day Miso and Jake would play, run together, cuddle
together on the bed, eat together, you name it. As Miso's birthday was coming up, we decided
that the best present he could have would be his best friend, Jake. So we adopted him ourselves.

Now, nearly two years on, Jake is gloriously coated, even that nasty bare bottom. He's in his full
weight (believe me!) and smells like fairie dust! (okay, not quite...) He's become a brilliant soccer
player who could play in goal for England! He sleeps on my head every night and wont let me
rest until I take his paw in my hand before drifting off. He's also become something of the house
bouncer: any dog here, who isn't feeling his or her best always has protection from Jake, who
seems to know who needs to be buffered. After any Chin here has had any kind of medical
procedure, Jake will post guard in front of them until he knows they are okay- sometimes for
weeks. Even my mother, when her wrist and ankle were broken in a fall recently, found that Jake
has an unusual sense of hurt and an amazing need to protect those he loves from it. Jake
followed mom about the house for two solid weeks, making sure she was okay. It was incredible
to witness.

What a gift he's given us, as well, the gift of paying attention to the needs of your loved ones.
And an awesome goalie, to boot!