The Shattucks

I knew his heart was working too hard. After several days of rapid breathing, coughing and appetite loss, the veterinarian confirmed what we suspected: Jake wasn’t able to survive congestive heart failure. We made the decision to elect for a peaceful, painless goodbye earlier this week.

The snow was pretty outside. The vet staff was wonderful in every way – they even sent flowers later in the afternoon. Steven and countless others were supportive, present and comforting.

Jake was my first dog, my first big decision as a single gal. He has been my snuggling companion through thick and thin. He was with me through dating Steven, marrying him and the birth of our two kids. Fourteen years.

I’ve already given Jake a proper background story and feature on this blog, back when I thought we might have to re-home our dogs pending Wesley’s allergy diagnosis. (I’m incredibly grateful that he was with us until the very end.) And frankly, I don’t have the emotional energy to write a witty pet obituary, like when we briefly had our beta fish, Lord Jabu Jabu.

But he deserves this reflection to show my gratitude for the quirky little 10-pound Italian Greyhound he was. Jake, I loved you. I will miss you.

INDIANAPOLIS

Lord Jabu Jabu, “Fishy,” aged 2 weeks, departed this earthly life on August 5, 2013. He was an active, beautiful betta fish with a tail of red and purple. He was fond of dried pieces of shrimp and crawfish, but did not care for those little red flakes of fish food.

He leaves to cherish his memory, brothers Wesley and Jake Shattuck and sister Lucy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Extreme Jumping Sports Association and the Foundation for Escape Artistry.