Jake

We have a new addition in our family. His name is Jake. He’s about three feet tall and full of boundless energy.

He is a two year old Australian Shepherd with a wonderful personality. He is great with the kids, doesn’t bother the cats, is well-mannered, and likes having a job to do.

We were not in the market for a new dog. One of our older dogs had died recently and I was adamant that I was not ready for another dog. My heart was still broken. However, as we all know, sometimes life has a funny way of giving you what you never knew you needed. Let me start at the beginning:

A couple of weeks ago, I was taking my dog to the vet for a check-up. As the vet tech led me down the hall to an exam room, she asked me if we needed another dog. I chuckled and tactfully told her that no, we did not need another dog. We walked into the room and I found myself looking at this beautiful Australian Shepherd. Hmmm...

She told me that he was a wonderful dog. The people that had him previously lived in town and he kept running off. Knowing that we lived on a ranch, where he would have more room to run, she thought perhaps we would be interested in giving Jake a new home. Hmmm...

I called my husband as I drove away from the vet’s office saying, “We don’t need another dog, do we?”

We brought Jake home the next day and we are so glad we did. We haven’t had one bit of trouble with him. He instantly became part of the family. No, he doesn't replace the dog we lost, but he does make me remember why I am a dog person.

Jake spends his days working with my husband and he thrives on this. Australian Shepherds are classified as Working or Herding dogs (AKC classifications). They are bred to work with livestock. They love having a purpose (don't we all?). Jake’s purpose these days is to ride around in my husband’s pick-up or follow him when we are horseback. Jake couldn’t be happier. If you ask me, I think he has settled in quickly because someone told him about the canine retirement package offered on our ranch.