Hi there! I'm Jake and I am so ready for a brand new home with people who I can spend the rest of my life with. Oh, that sounds so nice, loving and caring for a family who will do the same for me. You're out there, waiting to find me just as I am waiting for you. The timing just hasn't been right for us yet, but we'll get together, I know we will. I am a fun, energetic, very lovable dog, just trying to find my way in this big world.
I'm a handsome, 2 1/2 year old, 56 pound, totally housetrained Retriever mix. I have a shiny and soft coat, expressive eyes, and a smile a mile wide. I don't ask for much. I just want to feel safe and loved and I just want to belong. It's been hard for me though, to find these few things in life that seem so elusive to me.
I first came to Wayside in August of last year, as a transfer from a shelter in Hot Springs, AR. I stayed at Wayside for awhile, but the shelter was a very stressful place for me, so I've now been living in a wonderful foster home, since late last year. My foster mom knows everything there is to know about me, so there won't be any surprises when you adopt me! I've had so much fun staying with her and her dogs, but it's just a temporary stop on my journey of life, I can sense that, so I'm still anxiously searching for my forever home.
I am a home body. I love the safety and comfort of my house and yard. That's where I feel the most relaxed and where my true lovely personality really shines. Foster Mom says I'm pretty perfect in her home and fenced in yard...calm, well mannered, completely housetrained, rarely barking at all. She can leave me alone with her other dogs with full access to her home for as long as she needs...she's left me up to 10 hours in fact...and I don't bother a thing. I do just fine with her other dogs, love to go for rides in the car and trips to the dog park.
I'm affectionate, loving, and fun. I've been working hard to become the dog I am today though, and it hasn't happened overnight. It is the result of plenty of love and patience and dedication by my foster mom. I'll need you to be that way with me too, please, especially as I get acclimated to my new home and new life, but I promise to repay you tenfold, with every bit of love and devotion that I hold in my heart.
My relationship with other dogs is sort of complicated. Foster Mom feels like I really need another dog in my life, to help me stay happy and healthy and relaxed. But I can be particular sometimes. I don't always effectively read communication from other dogs I'm with, I'm a little possessive of my stuff, and I don't always know when to back down when I think something should be mine. I am learning though! Learning to respect other dogs and my place in the pecking order. Foster Mom feeds me in a separate place, so that I can eat in peace, and also so that I won't steal food from her other dogs. And we frequently go to the dog park, where I get along just great with most of the dogs I meet. I would like to meet any dogs you have before going home though, please. Oh, and I need a home without cats!
The two things in life that are the most scary to me are confinement and the unknown dangers lurking outside of my yard. I get very stressed in a crate, but there really isn't a reason why I'd ever need one, since I'm so well behaved. And the outside thing, well that's just one of my little eccentric behaviors. Being on a leash is sometimes scary for me, and I like to go at my own quick pace, but I'll probably never make a great running partner. I much prefer to play off leash or run around in my fenced in the yard, which I will need in my new home.
In fact, a fenced in yard is an absolute must have for me! No tie out chains for me, please, and having to be leashed up every time I needed to go out would be stressful and scary. Foster Mom has a dog door I use when I need to go out and I love the freedom of being able to decide on my own what I want to do. When I get really stressed out, I make a high pitched crying noise to let you know I'm distressed and worried. I do it sometimes when I'm at Wayside. I'm just trying to communicate with you, but it's difficult to hear, because I sound like I'm in pain. Once I get home and settled and relaxed, I will be quiet and calm, but our first few days together might be upsetting to me, so please be patient and understanding with me. I will appreciate that so much!
I'm affectionate and loving, and sometimes I get up in your face to be as close to you as possible. I will get down if you ask, but it's part of my exuberant personality and it makes me happy to be close to you, so I hope you will understand that I'm showing you my love. Foster Mom lets me up on the couch with her and I hope you will too. Sometimes she lets me sleep with her, but if she doesn't want me to, I will sleep on the couch. I'm a quick learner and want to make you happy, so please offer me positive reinforcement when I do good. I promise to do my best to do what you want.
I'd love a home with people who are around a lot. Having cuddle time with you keeps me really happy, and just knowing you're there helps me relax. I guess what I need is a family who is committed to me and wants me and values me as a family member. Is that asking too much? I want to be wanted and loved and safe. And in exchange, I will shower you with love, loyalty, and devotion like you've never experienced. It's time for us to find each other. We need each other now.
Love, Jake
Wayside Waifs is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with an Adoptions Special! All cat adoptions are $25 and dog adoptions are $50 through today. Fetch all the dogs available for adoption at Wayside Waifs.
Wayside Waifs is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals and is a proud member of Kansas City's no-kill community.
For more information about Jake or any other adoptable pet at Wayside Waifs, contact them at 816-761-8151 or via email
Talking Dogs is participating in the Tuesday's Tails Blog Hop. There are so many shelter animals waiting to find their loving forever home and this blog hop features them each week. Please share these pets on social media and let's find them homes!
