Hi Jake'sGrandpa,

I'm doing okay. I do understand about the depressing and tearful days. I'm glad you're feeling better now.

LoveMyMickey


Hey Jake....Look down on your Grandpa and send him some love and smiles.

Thank you, LoveMyMickey, for your kindness. You and the other good folks here are a comfort to me. My best to you, Mugsy, Annie and Mickey.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, JAKE!!!! I LOVE YOU!!

LoveMyMickey

LMM, you are such a sweetie! Hope all is well with you.

Jakie, I'm missing you terribly today. I hope you are happy and healthy in the afterlife, and that you are enjoying the company of our furry friends from Lightning-strike.com. Love you, sweet boy.

Jake's grandpa

Some days are just plain "missing my friend" days. Lots of wishing takes place on those days. Lots of "if only" and "one more time", often in the same sentence. They're especially hard during rocky times in your earthly life. My eyes are leaking now as i write this. I think we cry as we have loved. Great love, many tears. Then there are many sentences that start with "Someday" and they're all true.

Thank you for caring so much about Jake and about our Musketeer family. One for all and all for one.

For tonight ....

Gretta's mom

Thanks for your kindness and support, Gretta's Mom. You are right - "Great love, many tears."

It was 8 months ago today that we lost you, Jake, and my life will never be the same. You are gone but not forgotten, and I will always hold you close in my heart and mind. Your Grandpa loves you, sweet boy.

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To are lost friends..Forgive me for the words i may speak as the night becomes us we can not see..As we have are arms wide open as
We wish not miss a single moment of joy that you share in One Snap shot in life..I kneel for Jake so you have given me strength along
with the Support of LS so let me..If i may speak Humble words of Heartache for a lost friend...What a proud boy stands strong as he
Guards with no unknown shall pass without his blessing.. for he is king as you have given Jake a second chance...So he might shine...And to share
A humans heart so one day..You shall tell a story of a friend that holds greatness within each paw print he may leave behind..
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To Jakes friend you have allowed me to see into a Beautiful life you have paved for Jake as he is seen in the distance walking alone wishing to have meaning
to Hold..and Protect the Human only worthy as just one..Kneels with great Hope and Arms Wide open..As i will always stand Guard For a true friend as he
Stand to hold my last....Great men have the many sorrows that pass by..Only one we have to speak as a simple picture allows a life time of Memories to share
with..Strangers so i speak Jakes name..Thank you for sharing...


Now for the picture and i thank you again Looks to me a Mustang I see the 3 tail lights;Now if it's the 5.0 after 2011 well that many upgrades starting with the..Well you already know;..
Now who drives this tiny car with 425hp dual Exhuast ect...Hmm let see it's pink you have a very lucky Niece.I know i have bought one for my own only a Jeep...My Sah...So to my friend
Jake All the strength you have given Know this others have seen the love your true friend has given to you..Not in words a Beautiful picture as we read each and every smile that only
a true friend can bring...Mr Jake you choose well i can say...As a stranger looking into words of sorrow...Moment intime brings are friends...What a good Boy indeed as you open your
Heart that Lonley soul walks alone until a speacial human comes along to look deep into a lost Moment...That brings so much life and Kindness with Heavy hearts we speak there name;...
So others...My run free in the fields as a single flower looks within to heal thy self....With the Pines standing within reach we kneel to be with a friend to ask for...
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Mr. Jake Thank you for the bright image of all that hold you intime of need...The best we can do as we Hold your thoughts as a kiss within the last loving Brea......th

Once again please forgive me for my words as you offer a Beautiful Moment intime of Jake..Seems in my words to yours...Heals my own...I thank you my friend...Your a Good Man
As i see through the eyes of a friend...Click to view attachment

My Doxie and Me, thank you so very, very much for your kind words. They are indeed a comfort to me. Jake used to play with the dachshund next door; I hope that he and Jenna have become good friends.

The pink car is my little granddaughter's.

You are a good person, my friend.

Mr. Jack i have a question about the picture and thank you for your kind words..As jack stands strong a shadow is cast upon him
from behind a friend stands above jack as there shadows are one..What a beautyfull snap shot intime where love surrounds
a friend that Tells a story for that day in your heart as i know it holds great meaning...
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Thank you for the image of Jake and a Dachshund running side by side Knowing both breeds is nothing more then trouble;..
Two Stubborn Strong Headed Beautiful Friends...As i have said before we are there care takers as we follow...




Mr.Jake i'am short on words tonight i do thank you for your kindness as i speak... i wish not to offend within the passing of are true friends
That hold are thoughts at night as we Dream...
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Mr.Jake


I just thought to stop by and wish you well i Found a Picture that represents Hope...Wishing you well...
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Your a good man Jakes Human you have Photos intime to prove it...

What a cute little bulldog puppy! You made me smile on a day when, like most holidays, I'm feeling the loss more than usual. Thanks for sending the picture and cheering me up. You are a kind and thoughtful person, My Doxie and Me. Hope you have a nice Easter.

To a friend Mr.Jack
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True Viking...





Gabe Thank you for your kind words.. Yes they have healed me through your friends love as you write
I can hear his whispers as Mr. Jack ...

Hello Jake's Grandpa

Many thanks to you and Jake for coming to Rufus's biirthday party and for joining in the "prayer-hum" for Trevor's mom. As I said in the round robin e-mail: SHE PASSED.

Jake is such a wonderful dog. He makes you laugh as he walks, he frightens off danger with his jutting jaw and big teeth, and he makes you happy witih his great big soft heart.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Todd and Jeanne, thank you for your comforting thoughts. Yes, Jake could look menacing, but he was really a big softie with a heart of gold. It has been 10 1/2 months since we lost him and I'm still grieving every day. I doubt that the profound sense of loss will ever go away. Thanks again for your kindness and my best to you both.

Mr. Jake Forgive me for my words as I sit watching a Dachshund in the window of life waiting for a friend...
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As a Friend brings comfort and a sense of joy as we sit in time to choose a friends thoughts as one day they move beyond
Are touch as we are forced to kneel and Whisper the Names that Reach are Hearts...
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Mr. Gabe please forgive me you write and I sit Beneath the Desk with a friend to see How much love and thought
that become your Silent words... Priceless as I can hear them like Chimes in the Wind of Life long friendship as you
care for a True Viking that stands by the one that he calls his Friend...Mr. Gabe I can see the Heart that has been Givin
by a Special friend even if he sits Beneath you he stands Taller with the Words you speak as I Kneel for Jake...
I Thank you for sharing a true friends life with a simple man that becomes in touch with a Beautiful life...
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The leash of life that Becomes us holds are Hidden love for a friend as we speak are Broken words as we...Miss them..
As we call there name when we need strength;....As the leash of life calls are Friends name we kneel to hear the whispers
of a close friend that lays within are Heart as we speak for them....
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We where with him when he peacefully took his last Breath...As you keep a Promise to a friend..





Your words to Jake are a Reflection of my own Thank you for sharing.

Thank you, my friend.

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Good morning Jakes Grandpa

Ten and a half months. Oh Jake's grandpa, every day seems like a new anniversary and a reminder that we will never see our loved ones on this side of heaven. My first dog Gretta openen my heart to love and I though I would die when she went home. Soon she sent me Rufus the Goofus who patiently and plafully worked his way deep into my heart. For me it has been much sadder this time, expecially given what else is going on. The grinding, everyday pain may never go away. It reminds us how much we love them and how big a part of our hearts we exchanged with them. You're a man in a million, Jake's Grandpa, for so truly loving Jake. We're with you - like the proverbial reed that can so easliy be broken individually but who are indestructable when bound together. Thank you for everything, Jake' Granspa. Here's a big cyber hug and some strength rays coming to you.

Gretta and Rufus mom

You are right, Gretta's Mom, they stole our hearts away. Now a part is missing, but I pray it will be restored again someday. Thanks for the hug and strength rays; I can certainly use them today.

Good evening Jake's grandpa

there's an old spiritual that says "Sometimes I up, sometimes I'm down, sometimes I'm almost to the ground" And that's what grieving for a soul mate who was gone to the Perfect World feels like. When you are down and almost to the ground, remember we are with you, the Bob Squad and many others. You are not alone. People here DO get it because we have all been through it. I know this doesn't make the hurt go away, but it helps a little knowing that there is a place where people care about you and where you can go where we will share our strength and love.

Sleep well, Jake's Grandpa

Rufus and Grettas mom

Good morning Jake's Grandpa

Jake says to tell you to have a good day today and smile when you remember his antics, OK?

Rufus and Gretta's mom

You made me smile, Gretta's Mom. Thanks.

Do Dogs Go To Heaven...
(Opus 4) By Dan Atcheson (5/20/00

My little bully passed away, no more to breathe a sound.
I held him for the last time, then entombed him in the ground.
Day and night I wept so much, in the tears I thought I'd drown.
I searched my soul for comfort, but no peace therein was found.
In great despair, I hit my knees and then began to pray.
"Father will I ever see, my friend again someday?"
I raised my eyes and saw an Angel standing near a gate.
I sensed an inner peace I'd never felt before that day.
The angel smiled and said to me, "Oh man of little faith"..
God sees every bird that falls; He knows your bully's fate.
I have met your friend, I saw him pass my way.
Your precious friend is still alive; he just walked through this gate...
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Paradise is lovelier than you can comprehend.
No pain or grief, no tears or fears, and life will have no end.
God gave to man His only Son; to cover all his sins.
So why would God withhold from you, your pure and loving friend;
The angel took me by the hand and said, " Now come with me.
A glimpse of paradise I'll give, to you so you can see"
Through the gate and o'er the Rainbow Bridge we did proceed.
Through green valleys filled with flowers, rolling hills and trees.
Wow, so this is paradise!" The place filled with joy.
I saw my bully playing there, with dogs and cats and toys;
He also had some doggie treats, and food that he enjoyed;..
He'd made a lot of new friends there, including girls and boys.
Then I saw a child come near, and hug my little mate;
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She said to him, " I love you so," and kissed him on the face;..
The angel said, "The child just crossed the Rainbow Bridge today.
God's love for her would be enough, in that make no mistake.
But in His love; He knew full well. the child would want a mate.
This is why God called your Friend Jake unto this splendid place.
God's entrusted her with him,'til you pass through the gate."
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I pleaded, "May I hug them both?!" The angel answered, "No!
You'd violate a sacred place, and now it's time to go;"
He led me back across the Bridge and through the gate to Home.
He left me there with new-found hope and a peace within my soul.
If someone ever asks what happens to a friend that dies,
Just give a gentle smile of joy and look them in the eye.
Take their hand and comfort them and tell them not to cry.
For Dogs don't die, they simply cross a bridge to paradise.
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To my Friend Jake as I look into your heart I find words so close to mine I break.....
Forgive me for these words I bring.. I find peace with them looking within your friends place...










Gabe you have given words of comfort just by standing next to Jake and I thank you for the picture of the Doxie and bully side by side
my friend always stands taller then I...So I kneel with whispers in hopes to catch a glimpse of my friend running across the Rainbow Bridge..
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That is beautiful, Todd. It must be raining in here, for my cheek is wet. Thank you for your kindness, friend.

Oh Jake's grandpa

Aren't Doxie's poems truly amazing! They speak the language of the heart, not the brain, so they bypass our constant brain-thoughts and go right into the heart. My friend, you are a wonderful man. Not every man would have opened his heart to the world and let us know about the suffering that goes on in a grandpa's heart. So let's all join hands and hum for our animals children who have preceeded us into the Perfect World and tell them we're sad for a time but all our tears will be wiped away the moment we see them come racing up to us when it's our turn to cross over to join them in the Perfect World.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

P.S. Just becasue of Jake and you, I'm thinking a bulldog might be my next dog-boy. I have five steps going up into my apartment. How much of a problem will that be for a bulldog to climb?

B;essings always

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Yes, My Doxie and Me's words are a comfort to me, as are yours, Gretta's Mom. Thank goodness I found this place. It is a great help to know that there are others who understand our grief and pain, and who care about us.

As for the steps, they wouldn't be a problem for a bulldog. Jake routinely ran up and down the flight of stairs in our house with no trouble. The going up was easier than the coming down, but I taught him how to do it by putting a treat on every other step and helping him come down to get them. He picked up on it right away. They say bulldogs aren't very smart, but Jake was a pretty quick study and never forgot anything once he learned it.

You should be aware that English Bulldogs are relatively high maintenance creatures. They can have a lot of allergies and a few other things that may require more trips to the vet than some other breeds. Plus, they are not known for having long lifespans. You must also be very careful with your heart, because they will steal it away and won't ever give it back.

Thank you for the heads up about English Bulldogs and their health problems. And their short lives in which they steal your heart and never give it back. That is a precious thought, Jake's Grandpa.

Dear Jake's Grandpa,

I thought I would stop by to say hello and to see how you are doing. I know this grief journey is super hard, but I hope you're feeling better day by day and remembering the things that Jake did to make you smile........I feel like I'm at a stand still in my grief journey, feeling better, but I miss our Mickey soooo much and I have my sad days.

Take care and God Bless You!

LoveMyMickey



My Doxie and Me,

Your poems and pictures are beautiful and are a comfort to everyone. I hope you are doing well....Thank you..

LoveMyMickey

Hi, LoveMyMickey, and thanks for asking about me. Like you, I am doing better. I still miss Jake a great deal but, after almost a year, the pain is not so sharp. I can think of him with fondness and smile at the things he did, but always with a twinge of sadness. I suppose some of us never really get over the loss of a truly loved one, but that's OK; I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks again and may God bless you, too.

Hello, my precious Jake. It was one year ago this morning that we had to send you to a place where you would no longer suffer from the terrible illness which struck you in the prime of your life. I hope that you are happy there and that you will wait for me to join you, for I know that God will bring us together again. Until then, I hold your memory in a special place in my heart; you are always missed, but never forgotten. I love you, my sweet boy.

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Gabe and Mr. Jake


I have a story to tell you both a random encounter lucky moment an insight to the life that touch are hearts
My friend Free/Friede needs a nail trim busy day after work i pick my friend up high in the air as she looks down
on me and i say lets go for a ride... Simple day as her ears sing with the Winds as i'am filled with memory... As we
Arrive at Pet Smart i stand in line waiting and a Bully walks in a lovely young lady in tow.

My observation as i hold my friend in my arms the young lady kneels to comfort the Bully as she rubs his jowls as i
look down i cant help but notice how larger then life these Beast/Vikings are seems my words where point blank in time
What i failed to see the picture of jake dressed in a shirt surrounded by the ones he loves is just the King Himself;..
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The lady behind the counter says are you ready to the Bully and the young lady nods the bully looks away This is the impressive part
Great come on lets go the lady behind the counter pulls at the leash as the 70 pound plus bully is having none of this as i watch in silence
The young lady still kneeling looks to her friend and she speaks Its ok go on as the bully eyes where constant connection with his friend
His own language as he turns his head towards the lady with the leash his little tail begins to sway as he follows a stranger only with his
best friends permission she stood up only after her true friend was out of sight. What i missed in the pictures is how truly massive your
friend is in real life Like a Viking; I just needed to see it for myself what a site it was...

Now for free she is a good girl when it comes to nail trims she needs to be held and will not go willingly as i see how intelligent your friend
can be or should i say how tolerant the larger then life Bully can be; Gabe thank you for sharing Jake he has opened my eyes where
in the days of my friends passing i would have missed Thank you.


Mr. Jake you have touched my life only after you have passed this speaks volumes of your friend you have kissed goodbye...

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Happy First Angel-versary, Jake! What a celebration it must be to have a birthday in the Perfect World. And the best present of all is to have your grandpa, who loves you more than anything else in the world, wish you a happy birthday - through his tears - and send your picture to the whole world so we will recognize you when we get there.

I love you, Jake.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

You have both touched my life and my heart, My Doxie and Me and Gretta's Mom. Your kindness is balm for my lingering grief. Thank you both so very much.

Jake's grandpa

Our hearts will forever be hollow because our precious dogs left behind a piece of their hearts and took a piece of ours. That's where the hollow, empty, longing feeling comes from. We grieve in proportion as we loved and are loved - I'm sure of it. And like finds like so our little group found each other. I get second dibs on petting Jake-y!!

Another pensive evening alone,

Rufus and Gretta's mom

Gretta's Mom, you can pet Jake all you like. I get to pet Rufus and Gretta, though.

It's a deal - made in heaven!

Hello Jake's Grandpa!

A quick note to thank you for loving Jake as you did. It is a tribute that you will always have.

Trevor is very proud to have Jake as a GOOOOOOOD friend.

Don't forget that every time you see a butterfly, Jake is saying hello and checking up on you!!! (it's true)

Have a peace-filled night!

XOXOxoxo
Bobbie

Hi, Bobbie! It's really great to see you posting here again. I'll keep an eye out for for those butterflies.

Hi Jake's Grandpa!

Yup - keep an eye out for the butterflies. Only those of us that were/are lucky enough to have love(d) a pet know what their real meaning it. And YOU are counted amongst those that truly know.

Your Jake was/is one lucky fella. He knew you and felt all the love possible. Thank you!

Have a great week and know that Trevor and I love you!

XOXOxoxo
Trevor's Mom (Bobbie)

Thanks, Bobbie. Love ya!

Hi Jake's Grandpa and Jake!

I hope you are both doing well. I know at least one of you are!

Well, I am losing my hair and have developed male-pattern baldness! I have the same hair pattern as a good friend and neighbor, Mr. Ralph, who loved Trevor mightily. Way to go chemotherapy!

J. Grandpa, you are a wonderful person and I just know that Jake is smiling on you every minute and is continuously sending you lots of love!
Have a good weekend.....and GO RAVENS!!!

XOXOxoxo
Trevor's mom
Bobbie

Hello, Bobbie, and thank you for your good wishes. I hope that you are feeling OK and that Trevor's spirit is with you. As for your hair, take it as a sign that the chemotherapy is doing what it should. What good is hair anyway? It's vastly over-rated and a pain to take care of. Maybe I'll shave mine off in your honor.

Hi Jake's Grandpa!!!!!!!

You would really shave off your hair for me???????? WOW! But you don't have to. One thing about less hair is that you don't get fleas (Oh! I forgot, that's true with my boys only. ) One does save on the amount of shampoo being used, though.

Trevor is sending me all sorts of happy vibes because I am having a great weekend - being with my grandkids and great nephews! What is better than revving up the kids and then going home????

I'm sure Jake and Trevor and Gretta and Rufus and Mickey and Jenna are all having a rand time right now. Hope so.

Love you much!
XOXOxoxo
Bobbie

HI jake's grandpa

Thinking of you and Jake and your heart and your smile and your love for Bobbie and your prayers for our family .... oh and just all kinds of good stuuf about you and Jake. Thank you for being Just looking at Jake's face makes me smile. And I'm practicing my bulldog growl. Do they growl? Or are they more like Whispering Muscovy ducks who latch on to you pant leg and NEVER let go.

You are a treasure in my life, Jake's grandpa. Thank you for the gift of your friendship.

Have a good fall day.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Thank you both, Bobbie and Gretta's Mom, for your kind thoughts and good wishes. I hope that y'all are doing well. I'm OK, still missing my Jake everyday, though. I hope he's enjoying a good afterlife with Trevor, Gretta, Rufus, Jenna, and all the other good dogs of our friends here.

And, yes, Gretta's Mom, bulldogs do growl. At least mine did, especially when he got tired of waiting for me to do something for him. I didn't mind, though, and wish he were here growling at me now.

Hi Jake's Grandpa!!!

Jake was a lucky fella, you know. He got to know his Grandpa really well and know that his Grandpa loved him a LOT!
None of my boys got to know their Grandpa and even I only got to know one of mine for a few short years, as he went to Heaven when I was just 10 years old.
YOU were a totally terrific grandpa and I also know (on good words from Trevor) that Jake is in Heaven telling everyone (even those who have heard it all before) how simply marvelous you are!

Just thought I'd let you know, in case you didn't.

Love,
Trevor's mom, Bobbie

Thanks, Bobbie. I appreciate your saying that. I get to feeling pretty low about losing Jake sometimes and it helps to hear such things. Hope all is well with you and sister Jeanne.

OH Jake's grandpa

Thank you for the beautiful bouquet of flowers. And it does help. Every good wish that is given to me takes a little bit off the load. And just knowing you are a praying man helps even more - because our God is a loving God and He helps his dear children along.

Thank you so much, Gabe. (I'm still coming to visit you someday and go to New Orleans.)

Hi Jake (and your grandpa)

Thank you for joining in the big prayer-hum and party for Trevor's mom and dad. They went on their big trip and visited Trevor's mommie's and he gave her the biggest hug ever. Thank your grandpa for all his precious prayers for her ... they worked.

Say hi to Gretta and Rufus for me, OK?

Their mom