In Memory of Jake

06-04-2009 to 11-28-2025

The day after Thanksgiving 2009, I entered the shelter in Portland to pick you and your sister up and bring the both of you into my sad life since I was still mourning Harry. To state as I have on Juniper’s page, you and Juniper carved out sunshine again for me since I lost mine when Harry died. You both brought back joy and laughter, hilarity and wonder. I couldn’t have asked for better babies coming my way at the time. 

Our “mommy/Jakey time” was for the most part playing with you when you got zoomies – chasing you and shouting “where’s that baby?!” as you dashed around the house, playing with a “cat dancer” (in 16 years we must have gone through 30 of them!) or throwing the little balls up and down the hall… I kept your last “cat dancer” and the pink and green ball you shredded; it sits next to Juniper’s lion.

It is the memories of holding you hour after hour through the years that are hard right now instead of comforting: my right shoulder misses the snuggling while on the couch and my left shoulder misses the snuggling while sitting on the office chair. Being Juniper wasn’t much of a snuggler except on her strict terms, it was a relief when I realized you were. 

I suspected the end was beginning when you started lying in my arms when we would sleep just like Harry used to when his end was beginning. I ignored the suspicion – couldn’t admit it was coming since at the same time I was losing Juniper. Since June when she was sent on her way, I figured if I gave you treats – as many as you wanted – you would stay with me just for the treats at least :). On the day you ignored them and stopped talking to me as you had non-stop for 16 years, I broke.

My Day, my Pie, my Papaya – I will miss you till the end of my time. Hopefully, by now, you’ve found your brother and sisters, and you all are together and at peace. I love and miss you beyond words.

–      Mommy