Jake Kossakowski

OUR DARLING JAKE HAS GONE (2001-15.5.2014)

The picture is of Jake cuddled up to his beloved Dad, Ricky.

Jake really missed his lifelong partner in crime Elmo and now they are, once again, reunited forever at Rainbow Bridge.

In many ways, knowing his days were also numbered because of a melanoma, it was lovely for him to have his 7 months as an only dog with the total devotion of the family being just for him alone for the first time in his life. It was also a time of preparation for them for a sad future when they knew that both of their lovely boys would be gone.

Jake and Elmo, with their friendly, gentle natures, were very popular with all the villagers and everyone who met them. They were also regulars at the Somerset IRR Reunions where, with the grandchildren or their Mum, Bridgette, they always enjoyed great success.

Goodbye lovely boy. We’ll always love you and be grateful for our special time with you. Go be with Elmo and the angels now. Until we meet again    lots of love from Bridgette, Ricky and the family xxxx

ELMO WENT FIRST TO THE BRIDGE (2000 – 11/10/2013)

The picture on Chesil Beach, taken 3 weeks before he died, is very poignant as he loved the beach so much and it was very special to have the lasting memory of that lovely weekend which the boys really enjoyed together.

Elmo adored his country life with his partner in crime but, in latter times, was the less adventurous of the two and preferred to have a nice snooze whilst his brother went fishing for carp or doing a bit of unwelcome gardening. 

He and his brother Jake were huge favourites with all the villagers and were really loved by everyone who knew them. They were great characters so it is going to seem very strange no longer seeing them always together in their front garden watching the world go by and saying a friendly “hello” to the passers by.

Elmo was much loved by all the family especially the grandchildren who enjoyed parading and winning prizes in child handling, Golden Oldie and best brace classes with him and his brother at the Reunions although it was mum Bridgette who took Elmo and Jake into the ring for their greatest success of Best IRR Brace 2011.

Bridgette says “Looking at Elmo, with that smile of his, no wonder he always got a rosette at the Reunions for Irish Eyes.   We miss him so much and cherish the time we spent together.

Till we meet again ….  I’ll love you forever! lots of love from the family xxxx”

THE STORY OF JAKE AND ELMO

Their first family were heartbroken to have to part with these two stunning boys due to a change in circumstances.

Jake & Elmo were destined for a home on a farm with a gentleman but he was unable to keep them through ill health. Fortunately, his neighbours had already met and fallen in love with them so they were soon living happily in the countryside with Bridgette & Rick and a very large selection of animals. 

Everybody seemed to know and love them and they were huge favourites of the local baker who does a van delivery. He had to be persuaded that it wasn’t a great idea to be giving the boys (who were supposed to be on a strict diet but were still gaining weight) his leftover loaves of bread and even doughnuts !!!!!!!!!!  

JAKE and ELMO AT THE REUNION 2008

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2009 

Bridgette told us “Unfortunately we couldn’t make the Reunion this year as we had to work but we thought of what we were missing and, hopefully, next year we will be there again. 

The boys are fine but, like us, are slowing down although Jake still manages to get a bit of fishing in…….. he caught four of Rick’s Carp and lined them up neatly on the bank……. you would not believe it unless you saw it.His latest joy is picking my squashes out of the garden and putting them by the bag which he has only seen me do it once.  Elmo is still having fun just sleeping, bless him.   

TRAGIC NEWS (11th October 2013)

On 11th October 2013 Elmo, aged 13.5yrs, sadly passed away leaving Jake, aged 12.5yrs, sad and alone. 

This was particularly hard to bear as Jake had his own battle to face, with a mouth tumour which needed an operation. Bridgette and Rick are absolutely heartbroken at the loss of their beloved Elmo and are desperately worried about his brother Jake.

Elmo was much loved by all the family and especially the grandchildren who used to enjoy taking him and Jake into the Parades and competitions at the Reunions. All the villagers are going to be saddened by Elmo’s loss too as the boys have always been very popular with everyone who knew them.

UPDATE ON JAKE  (22.10. 2013)  

Bridgette says “Jake got on quite well with his operation but it did knock the stuffing out of him being so soon after losing Elmo. 

The vet removed as much of the tumour as she could without keeping him under the anaesthetic too long but it was on his gum and it would have meant taking some of his jaw to excise it completely. As is was only attached by a narrow stem, the vet cut at the base of the stem then it was sent away for analysis.

She phoned with the results today and it was a melanoma but not the most aggressive kind so, although malignant, it is, hopefully, a slow-growing one and we can have our precious boy a while longer.”  

FURTHER UPDATE (28.10.2013) 

Jake is looking good and is pretty well back to normal after his op. He is being very pampered and is smelling sweet after having had a shower with lots of grooming. Aware of the pain he is feeling from losing his best friend, Bridgette and Rick are not leaving him alone for very long. They are all doing their best to help each other at the moment.

Bridgette has read a forum called Earth Clinic which has given her some ideas for things to do to support Jake naturally with his ongoing fight against cancer. Anything is worth a try and they plan to do everything they can to make him as well as he can be. 

THE SADDEST OF NEWS (15th May 2014)

The inevitable has happened and Jake has gone to be reunited with his beloved brother Elmo at Rainbow Bridge.It is so sad but, at the same time, Jake had a wonderful life with Bridgette, Rick and the family  so, really, he was a very lucky boy and we would like to thank them for taking such great care of both him and Elmo.Bridgette said “We have said goodbye to our lovely Jake. Thank you for bringing us all together. We will be forever grateful” 

Go be with Elmo and the angels, darling Jake