Written by Dick and Jan Campbell

One year ago today we traveled to SEBCRL (after adopting Maverick in Sept 02) in hopes of getting a "playmate" for Maverick. We had seen Jake's picture on the website and thought he was such a handsome boy. Jerri confirmed that Jake would be a good match for our family (2 dogs and 1 cat at the time). Maverick traveled with us to make sure the two would get along. Jake was so frightened about coming with us that he wrapped his front paws around Dick's leg and would not let go (Jerri has a picture to prove this).

He traveled in a crate in the back of the SUV and did not make a sound all the way home. He was greeted at our house by our (then) 12 year old Samoyed "Sugar" and our 15 year old cat "Bugs" Everyone was very friendly and Jake had been accepted. Jake then immediately went over to the Christmas tree and lifted his leg!! (I am happy to say that hasn't happened this year).

The BCs stayed clear of Bugs most of the time! Jake was a wonderful "house buddy" to my Sugar and kept her company the last ten months of her life. Both Maverick and Jake knew she was the "Queen" and treated her as such! When Jake first came to us he was frightened of EVERYTHING! He had no interest of going outside, playing catch or needless to say - playing with Maverick! All he wanted to do was stay close as he could and be loved.

When approached by anyone (including us) he would immediately lay down and roll over. Jerri told us Jake has been a stray somewhere in Georgia when he was picked up and sent to her. I believe that is why he has no big interest in the "outdoors" because he had already spent a lot of time there and could care less! He did not want to make eye contact with us or let us near his face much less to give him a kiss or hug. He was frightened in the car and would lay down on the seat and stay there until we arrived wherever we were going.

Any loud noises (especially voices) he would tuck his head and tail and run. He would snatch things from our fingers like it was the last morsel of food he may ever get (and would take your finger if you let him). Jerri's house was probably the first safe place he had known and no wonder he did not want to leave!! Over the past year Jake has gradually learned to trust us and will stare into our eyes, bump our noses and give a quick kiss!!! The kiss thing has just happened recently. I don't think he will ever be a licker like Maverick and that is okay. One face washer in the family is enough!!

We have a doggy door and he has been spotted outdoors with Maverick "watching him chase motorcycles" (through the fence of course) or just laying in the sun or best yet CHASING LIZARDS!!! That is his favorite thing to do outdoors (unlike Maverick our Frisbee dog). We watch Jake sometimes from inside and you can tell he wants to break out and run or maybe even play with Maverick. We believe (or pray) one day he will. The two of them are getting along so well now that it is just the two of them. We have had no quarrelling at all!!!! Maverick actually goes up to him, wags his tale and sniffs him all over. Must be the St. John's Wort Jerri suggested!!!!!!!

Jake loves riding in the car now and actually stands up on the door handle and puts his head out the window like Maverick. We think he does a lot of things because he watches Maverick. He is still a couch potato and a bit over weight (we are working on that) but he is such a lover and everyone that meets him wants to take him home. I have never seen a dog so good with small children. All the neighborhood kids just love to come over and pet him.

Needless to say he eats that up!!! He is so loyal and just sits in the front yard by the edge of the sidewalk like a statute when we are working outside. He doesn't move. When on the leash (another big improvement) he acts very protective (almost funny like). We are so fortunate to have been placed with this beautiful creature that gives us so so much unconditional love.

We believe he thinks he died and went to heaven when he came here to live with us. I can't imagine our lives now without Jake and Maverick. THANK YOU JERRI CARTER FOR HELPING TO BRING SUCH A JOYFUL CHAPTER INTO OUR LIVES and I am sure a lot of others also. God Bless You and all the other volunteers that help you at SEBCRL!!!!

Dick and Jan