I think I Understand Jake Now!!!

Posted by our Mommy T

"I'm reading a book about the Hair-Raising Joys of Raising Boys by Dave Meurer. I'm not quite finished with the book but it keeps me chuckling and puts a great spin on the encounters I've only yet to have with our boy, JB2. I often read it at night while JB2 is winding down, getting ready to sleep and is reading his own books. I've giggled so much that JB2 calls this book my funny book. He enjoys seeing me laugh. If I get nothing else from this book, I get a great bonding experience with my son.

But not getting anything from it is already a mute point. There are many moments of realization as well and insights that I know will help me raise a wonderful boy (and girl) and be a good mommy to our puppies.

In a chapter about boys and dogs, the author illustrates something that touched my heart and may have helped me to better understand our boy pooch, Jake. For those of you who know Jake, you will understand this passage well. I hope you like it as much as I did. It touched my spiritual heart as well.

'We came to the conclusion that neither Pepper, nor any other dog, understands the concept of obligation, or debt, or quid pro quo. Pepper is not attempting to pay us back. She knows she is "ours" in the most positive sense of that word, and she simply responds to that love and care with whatever the dog version of 'love' happens to be.

In this sense, a dog can help your boys understand something about God's love toward us.

We, too, are "strays." Like Pepper, we are all heading for a grim future unless someone rescues us. And like a stray, we have no way to earn this adoption into a new home. Of course, the analogy completely falls apart because none of us dies for the sins of his pet, like Jesus died for the sins of the world (and arose from the grave once His mission was completed!).

But we can still teach our kids an important lesson from the key point that we do not earn our relationship with our Master, nor do we pay Him back. We simply enjoy the incredible privilege of adoption and respond very naturally with love and loyalty.

And unlike any rule with Pepper, God will actually let us sit on the good furniture - not because we have earned the right, but just because He is far kinder than any of us can possibly comprehend.

That lesson is worth all the vet bills.'

I have a special place in my heart for both of our pooches. They have already taught my kids how to be kind and nurturing. They love the puppies as if they were their brother and sister.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little moment of me sharing something that moved me. If you have kids and pets, I hope you know just how much they are helping each other."

Update on Jake

Jake loves Little LB and the goodies she slips him at meal time.









Nice choppers!












This morning, Little JB got some good petting time in with Jake. They are best pals!





Now, where is Good Girl!?

It's HOT!!!!

"Well, mommy has banished us from her bedroom because Jessi would hold up in there for days it seemed without coming out. Anyway, the room was getting a little snarky smelling in there and even I would rather have slept in the other room. The last straw was when our parents were having to put chairs on the bed and block any "easy way up" for Jessi so she wouldn't ruin the sheets. One day Jessi was determined to get up there and lounge like the princess Mommy taught her to be and so she did. She only had a little room and it was on Mommy's side. Needless to say, Jessi had licked and chewed on her paw so much that she left gross stains on Mommy's pillows. We know Jessi didn't intentionally hurt Mommy's stuff but still....Daddy bought us new food. It's more healthy for us and is supposed to help Jessi with whatever it is that bothers her foot. She seems to like it but I'm not sure how much it's working....more later....I've got to go!!" Love Jake

We have a new door!!!

"I think Mommy and Daddy have gotten tired of letting Jake out every 10 minutes so they bought us a new doggie door. Here we are trying to learn to go in and out on our own. Even the human sister and brother got in on all the fun."

A thought from Jake

"Today is cold and dreary!! Too cold to play outside for any length of time......so we're stuck inside only to drive Mommy nuts. WOOF!"

I feel so much better!!!! But, boy, am I hungry!

"I'm so happy Mommy took me to the doctor. All the meds doc prescribed were kind of rough (although I had no problem taking them) but they sure did the trick! I have more energy (and a bigger appetite) and I'm much happier around my family. And that's what's important, that I enjoy my family and they enjoy having me around."

"Here's a picture that Mommy took today of my leg. It may not look any better to you, the camera doesn't do it justice, but it truly is better. The hair is even growing back a little."



"Woof to good health!!!"

Update on Jessi

"I seem to be doing much better! I don't feeling like hiding out in the back room all day and I wag my tail much more than I had been lately. As far as my parents are concerned, I'm on my way to a healthy recovery!! The medicines really aren't that bad and I get a special snack each time I behave myself when Daddy is administering the meds. Brother Jake usually gets a snack too. The swelling has gone down considerably and I'm not limping as much either. When Mommy calls for me, she doesn't have to "trick" me to come to her. I'm so happy they took me to the doctor. Now I hope the hair grows back in the areas that I've licked them bald."

Woof!!!