Eight years ago today, I went to an adoption booth at a street fair and left with a dog named Wren. Wren had a Jack Russell body, a Chihuahua face, and ears larger than his head. I don’t know who had named him Wren, but it was clear (to me, at least) that his name should be Jake, after my dad’s Uncle Jake. Actually, Uncle Jake’s real first name was Julius Caesar, and the name completely fit this small dog who eventually ruled my life.
I’d never had a dog before Jake, but he quickly made me into a dog person. We were buddies; he went everywhere with me, walking his distinctive zigzag walk, and demanding affection from strangers. When he died, after having been my companion for seven years, I was devastated. You know that you’re going to outlive your pets, that each time you adopt an animal you invite heartbreak into your life, but that doesn’t make their passing any easier.
And then you jump back in and adopt another one.
The other day, a friend asked me if I loved Gus as much as I loved Jake. I responded that I love him as much as I’d loved Jake after ten months. But Jake will always be my first dog, the first one I pulled out of a dog fight at the park, the first dog I took to Fort Funston, the first one I held while he took his last breath. He was a special guy.
So, Happy Adoption Day, Julius Caesar “Jake” Hewett. You are so missed.
I love his ears! What an good-looking fellow. I know how hard it is to lose your first pet. While I cannot wait to get a cat again this January, I’m terrified of repeating the heartache that went with putting my first cat to sleep. The poor thing took two rounds of the drug to go down. He was too much of a fighter. I’m glad that you have Gus in your life now. He seems like an equally good-looking fellow.
Love to you and Jake and Gus and all of us who give our hearts over to our sweet fur babies. xoxox
Though I never met Jake in person, I still think of him and imagine him with you at the wine bar. (Those, I think, were among my favorite Instagram shots of Jake!) Just over a month ago my family adopted our first dog. I can relate to the idea of the specialness of the first one. Cheers to Jake’s memory. Thanks for sharing him with us!
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