Jake came to us 4 years ago as a foster dog. He had been hit by a car and had a broken leg that needed to be repaired. His previous owners couldn't afford to care for him and were going to have him euthanized. Luckily his vet saw something in those big brown eyes and just couldn't do it. After contacting LEARN, I went to pick him up at the vet's office and take him to my vet, Dr. Frame, who did an amazing job piecing him back together.

After a couple months of "taking things easy" or as easy as a Lab is able, he was like new again. Needless to say by that time, my husband and I also saw that something in those big brown eyes and decided to make him a permanent member of our family. After all we already had a yellow and black Lab, he would complete the "set."

Things went well the first 4 years. Jake was definitely he most domestic dog we have ever had. He would much rather watch you fold laundry or make dinner than play fetch. He became my shadow night and day.

On May 1, 2006, we found out that Jake had a nasal tumor that had spread to his brain. We were devastated. How could a dog who had already been through so much possibly deserve such a horrible fate? He began radiation therapy the following week. He had to spend 3 days at the veterinary school because we had put him in a study to hopefully be able to help other animals who would develop the same disease. I picked him up the night of his first radiation treatment.

The next morning he began to seizure and had to be put to sleep.

Words can not begin to describe our loss, but we find comfort knowing that he is in a better place and some day we will be together again.