Jake Wright (10/29/1996 - 12/5/2009)

I am grateful to G.R.I.N. for rescuing my Golden boy from a shelter.

I am grateful for 4+ years I have had with him.

I am grateful he was my first senior.

I am grateful he was my first foster failure.

I am grateful for glucosamine & fish oil that helped with my boys’ mobility.

I am grateful for the beautiful fall that made my sweet boy run around the yard and throw himself down on the ground to roll around like a crazy man with his legs waving wildly in the air.

I am grateful for his beautiful, thick, red coat that shed like crazy every day and especially several times a year.

I am grateful for holistic vets who provide alternative treatment to help with pain.

I am grateful for the wide variety of natural food & treats that were good for my boy.

I am grateful for ice packs & heating pads to soothe sore muscles.

I am grateful for having found a massage therapist that gave him quality of life for so long.

I am grateful for a groomer who thought nothing of meeting us on a Sunday so my boy could have his bi-weekly shampoo & blow dry when he could no longer spend the day at the spa.

I am grateful for a vet who was willing to come to the house at the end of his time so he wouldn’t have to go to the vet’s office that made him so anxious.

I am grateful for my 2 white faced old men that remain behind to provide comfort.

I am grateful for my “puppy” that makes me laugh with his antics.

I am grateful to have family to comfort me even though they don’t necessarily understand.

I am grateful to have friends who do understand that to me he was more than just a dog.

I am grateful for prescription medication to help with pain.

I am grateful for the last picture taken with Santa and one last Christmas card with him on it.

I am grateful for all the pictures that I have taken of him.

I am grateful for the last photo session even though it took extra time.

I am grateful for all the memories.

I am grateful for the car rides he so loved.

I am grateful for the daily walks, even when he could no longer do the “big” one.

I am grateful for doggie ramps and slings when he was having a bad day.

I am grateful for the physical strength necessary to lift him at the end.

I am grateful for the table given by friends to help with his daily massage.

I am grateful for the stairs that were made for him to climb up to the massage table.

I am grateful for the bones he loved to chew.

I am grateful for the summer doggie popsicle maker that he loved to lick away at until it was all gone.

I am grateful for doggie boots that protected his back paws from sores on his walks.

I am grateful for orthopedic dog beds that he loved to sleep on.

I am grateful for all the times he ‘helped’ me cut the grass…following the tractor around the yard.

I am grateful for his intelligence as he was truly the smartest Golden I have ever had.

I am grateful for his reliable recall even when he lost his hearing and had to rely on hand gestures.

I am grateful for his loyalty.

I am grateful for his sweet kisses.

I am grateful he is pain free and able to run again.

I am grateful for all the times he would trip me up because he was my shadow or laid in the most inconvenient places.

I am grateful I will see him again.

I am grateful to whoever had him for nine years of his life and did not claim him.

I am grateful that he was a mama’s boy.

I am grateful for my Old Man.

I am grateful for Jake.