Jayke's Big Hug Day 2010

Tennessee Williams said "Time doesn't take away from friendship, nor does separation." In some ways it still feels like in was only a few months have gone by since we said our farewells to Jayke.

We, and everyone that visits our offices, are greeted everyday with Jayke's portrait in our office. The picture shows his strength of character and his special personality that made Jayke what he was...one of a kind.

We miss you bud. With love and big hugs...

Another year

Our lives are marked by milestones...events that occur that etch the passage of time forever. December 11, 2007 is such a date. That is the date that we said our farewells to Jayke. It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years.

Jayke loved his hugs and he always acknowledged them with a gentle lick of thanks. So today, we celebrate the remarkable life of one very special Golden named Jayke with Jayke’s Big Hug Day.

We know that it takes the greatest amount of courage to say goodbye, but it’s also the greatest commitment of love to know when its time. So, please take the time today to give that special someone in your life a hug.

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!
~Author Unknown

One month ago....

Today is a dull, dreary, rainy day here. We haven’t seen much sunshine in the last few weeks. And today marks one month since the sunshine of our lives, Jayke, crossed The Bridge. After a month, I think we’re doing ok. There are some days that we still catch ourselves doing something for Jayke that was part of the routine of living with our special “Bud/Old Coot”, but we both have taken some time to grieve and to celebrate his most remarkable life.

Jayke is very much still with us. We miss his larger than life personality and gentle kisses of thanks, and we have also come to appreciate the tremendous support from his friends on Dogster. Some of the rosettes and special gifts left in Jayke’s honour have "timed out", but that doesn't diminish the thoughts of kindness or words of support that have been received over the last month. You should know that we prepared a book of memories of Jayke that includes over 15 years of photos, emails, paw mails, cards, letters and notices of donations made to various charitable groups that we received in Jayke’s memory. The word document of tributes from Dogster is over 40 pages alone! (Its now over 50 pages!)

We have come to realize that Jayke may be that once in a lifetime, very special and unique relationship we enjoy with our three or four legged family members. We know that we will find another Golden companion and look forward to raising another puppy or two when the time is right.

We are so grateful that we lived and shared our life with Jayke. We received a note from one of Jayke’s PWD pals, Gizmo, that we wanted to share.

“There is so much value in Jayke's story, because it really shows about true family love and doing whatever it takes to integrate someone special into your family. So many other families would have resorted to euthanasia (like with Gizz), and you saw so much deeper potential than that. The lessons there are huge. If only most people were so lucky to experience love like that in their lifetime. Thank you for all the love and joy and family experiences you brought to Jayke.”…..Thanks Gizz & mom

So to Jayke, our love forever and lots of big hugs. We miss you dearly. In our hearts we know that one day we will once again be in each others company.

My Forever Friend - Jayke

I know that it must be different,
now that I am no longer here.
I realize how much I was loved
and how all of you did care.

I know it will be hard at first
when you look around for me.
Expecting to find me in my bed
or beside my favorite tree.

Someday you will begin to see,
although it'll take some time,
the happy times you shared with me,
the memories are yours and mine.

I'll remember you, my family,
and how much you meant to me.
So please don't grieve and don't be sad,
it was just my time to leave.

Author unknown

It’s been about 4 hours since we said our goodbyes to Jayke. We had made arrangements with Dr. Mark to come to our home so Jayke was able to be at peace and surrounded by love and the things that would make him comfortable.

It’s been a very difficult day for us. It has been made somewhat easier because of the genuine expressions of support that we have received. Know that every email, rosette, star or candle that has been lit, mean a great deal to us. We’ll answer and respond to everyone, over the next few days. For now, please accept our sincere appreciation to all.

We have learned that Jayke touched many lives of those, whom we may never meet, in a most profound way. Perhaps tonight all of Jayke’s Dogster & Catster pals could be hugged and reminded that they are loved and appreciated and that a very special Golden named Golden Corals Rambeaux’s Jayke is watching out for all.

Sweet dreams our brave, sweet boy.
With our love.

It has been a heart wrenching and extremely difficult decision to make, but out of our deep love for our dear, sweet, brave boy, tomorrow Jayke will be crossing the Rainbow Bridge. We can do no more for him as a combination of issues has combined to steal his quality of life and health away from him.

“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater." “But I say unto you, they are inseparable.” – Gibran - from The Prophet

Our sorrow is great and we know that we will miss him dearly. We have been blessed to share our lives with our Jayke.

Fare well dear Jayke, fare well.

7 facts about me

Here are 7 fun facts about me!

Introducing, Golden Corral Rambeaux's Jayke.

1. I was a rolly polly pup and a bit overweight 'cause my canine mom Lacy was a really good mom.
2. During my weight gain/growth time, I gained a pound a day for about a month straight.
3. My fav toy when I was a pup was a litre size plastic pop bottle. I loved to chase it around the house and make lots of noise. Now I still destroy paper towel tubes and egg cartons.
4. My pet peeve is people who look at my three legs and say things like poor dog...I have a great life!!!
5. I like to ride in my Jaykemobiles and I look forward to going anywhere in the car...including the vets!!!
6. I love camping.
7. I eat what I want, when I want and when I have had what I want...I'm done...but there is always room for a dog biscuit!

I have tagged some pals from PWD and some Goldens and won't be tagging anyone else.

DOTD May 10/07

What a great day! Imagine Jayke, Dog of the Day for Dogster!

On May 10th, Dogster had 283,048 dogs listed with more being added. At the rate of dogs being added, Dogster will have two years worth of DOTD's added on May 10th alone!

All day Jayke received pawmails, requests to be pals, additions to his photo book, comments in the guest book.... and the rosettes and stars sure meant a lot.

Every pup should get the chance to be DOTD. It sure helps you appreciate the best of Dogster and what a special community it is that shares this virtual meeting place!

Turning 15

So that's what its like! Jayke celebrated his 15th birthday with more of a birth week celebration as opposed to a birth day celebration. At 15, he's entitled! ;-)

His pup pals at "Canadian Golden Retrievers" and Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever Lovers, hosted pawsome parties for Jayke and his buddies at Pets With Disabilities had a special thread for posting greetings. By the looks of the postings at both parties, a good time was had by all and we sure appreciated the comments, stars, rosettes and good wishes from everyone! It made a special birthday even more special.

Every day, Jayke rides his Jaykemobile from the parking lot to the office door. The morning of his birthday, I made a video of some of the ride and posted it on the site. I think that there are a number of Dogsters that would love to be able to bring pups to work and I know that its part of what keeps Jayke a young at heart 15 year old.

In one of the notes we received someone made the comment about looking forward to his 16th birthday...so do we. Happy 15th birthday Jayke, with lots of love & hugs....

Getting up to date

It’s been awhile since I updated Jayke’s diary and, as it’s a damp rainy day and everyone’s inside, this is as good a day as any.

I guess as starting point, we’ll go back to December and our annual visit to Belleway Veterinary Hospital. It’s hard to believe that it was Christmas of 1992 that Jayke was first there as a traffic victim, after being hit by a truck. Every year since then we have tried to take Jayke there on the anniversary date of the accident, December 24.

Time has passed, and some of staff have changed, but as soon as I walked in this year, I was asked, “Do you have Jayke with you?” So I carried Jayke in so that we could say thanks. Jayke didn’t seem to mind the attention or the treats either.

We had a scare in February when Jayke was extremely sick. When Dr. Mark at Rossmore Animal Hospital first saw him, it was thought that it was not serious. What a difference 24 hours made! Jayke had slid backwards in such a hurry; it was if it was a different dog from the day before.

We knew that things were not good when we were extended the unusual courtesy of staying with Jayke overnight at the clinic, just in case he didn’t make it through the night. But after 2 and half days on intravenous fluids, Jayke was making progress. What a guy and as tough as nails! Some of the team at Rossmore have started calling him “The Energizer”, “he just keeps going and going.”

His mobility is now very limited. He continues to try to stand on his own, but without success. His outlook is still the same; he loves life. He continues to be interested in what is going on around him, makes a great supervisor when we are doing yard work and continues to come to work with us every day. His two Jaykemobiles, chair lift, and being carried and cared for have provided him with all the mobility and quality of life he has needed so far.

This month Jayke will turn 15. We treasure the time that Jayke has been with us and we can only hope that he has the health and the willingness for more time with us. He certainly has the spirit and of couse… Attitude above all else!