Jake
We received this email from Jake's mom!
Hello. My name is Becky Phillips, and though you may not remember me, I see by the pictures on your website that you remember Jake. I'm just sending you at the humane society an update on how he's been doing. He has mellowed out into such a wonderful, obedient dog. He listens to me so well. It's almost as though he can understand what I'm saying. When we're out on walks, I've started using a fifteen foot retractable leash, so that he can sniff around. He's so well behaved on it. He knows to stay out of people's lawns and on the street, and when I want to turn, I just tell him that we're going right or left, and he'll turn and go that way often with no tug of the leash at all, and only a quick little tug when he gets distracted. Walks are really enjoyable with him. He and I have some communication going too, beyond just on walks. When he pokes his nose at his leash, it means he wants a walk. If he sees me pick up his leash, he immediately gets excited and starts jumping up and down, though not on me, just next to me. He does the same thing at the mere mention of the word "walk". He also knows what "supper" and "treat" mean. But most of the communication is nonverbal. A motion of the hand, a tilt of the head, and other such body language lets him know what I want him to do, and the other way around too. He's very good at letting me know what he wants. Jake's nice and lean and in good shape, and still has as much energy as when I got him four years ago. He's bulked up a lot, though, since then. He was only about 50 pounds when he came home with me, but now he's 75 pounds. Like I said, it's not fat. He's just gotten bigger. He's pretty good with other animals, as long as he's supervised. The thing is, he seems to believe all other animals are fellow dogs to be played with as though they were the same size as him. It's nice because he won't try to eat them at all, but I just have to make sure he stays calm and well mannered around them. He's getting better with it too, as I work with him. One of the pictures I attached shows him sniffing my little Dutch rabbit, Cocoa. The picture's a bit blurry, but I thought you'd like to see how good he's gotten with rabbits. Cocoa has actually been a good teacher for Jake when it comes to learning how to treat rabbits, because despite his small size of 3 pounds, Cocoa won't let even a dog push him around. He's not the slightest bit afraid of Jake, and even nipped him on the nose once when Jake got too pushy. Cocoa will be 9 years old next month, but he's still the boss when it comes to Jake. Don't get the wrong impression of the two, they really are cute together. Jake likes licking Cocoa's head, and Cocoa doesn't mind as long as Jake doesn't get too pushy. Jake still insists on trying to make acquaintances with our 12 year cat, Tiger, but she's too set in her ways to accept a dog. I am proud of Jake that he won't chase her at all. He just tries to walk up to her, and then leaves her alone when she walks away. I am really happy that he turned out to be a dog that is good with other animals, as I always intend on having animals other than just a dog around. But really, he has exceeded my expectations for how energetic of a dog he is. Before I end this email, I just want to say that I am so glad that I got him, as he is really everything I could want in a dog. I look forwards to the years ahead of me that I have with him. He is just the most loving and affectionate dog that I could ever hope for, and I hope any future dogs I get are just like him for temperament. I still also maintain that he is the most beautiful dog ever. I just love his black and tan markings. If you want to know what initially attracted me to him, it admittedly was his looks. I saw those perfect Doberman type of markings combined with that beautiful shepherdish body and it was love at first sight. I had to see this beautiful dog. But what sealed it for me was the way he rubbed his head on my leg when I met him. He still does that, too. I must say, after reading his story on your website, I am so grateful that he went to your shelter rather than the typical shelter. You see, I used to work at a vet which contained a pound, and one month was their time limit, possibly more for a well behaved lovable dog. If Jake was as crazy as the story made him sound, the typical shelter such as the one I worked at might not even have given him that month if they were full. Knowing how crazy he was when he first came home, I can just imagine how ill behaved and rambunctious he must have been right off the streets. Yet you gave him three months. I just wanted to thank you for that. I shudder to think of what would've happened if you hadn't found him. I likely wouldn't have this dog that has so enriched my life. I have included four pictures of Jake taken over the last year. I already mentioned the one of Jake with Cocoa. I have also included a picture of Jake posing in the yard for a picture, one of him relaxed and lounging on the bed, and a silly one of him finishing off the last few crackers at the bottom of the box. I think the slogan on the side of the cracker is actually quite fitting. If you wish to, you may use these pictures and this email on your webpage. I wouldn't mind. I just noticed that you sometimes post updates to adoption stories, that's why I mention this. Once again, thanks for giving Jake a chance, so that he could find me like he did.
-Becky Phillips
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