The Story of Keith, Jake and Edie
A few years ago a very nice man walked into Almost Home Animal Shelter and said he would like to volunteer to walk dogs. He told us he worked close by and would come on his lunch hour. We quickly got to know our friend Keith very well. Keith would come to the shelter Monday through Friday to walk dogs for an hour. Keith would bring treats for every dog in the kennel. He would make ham and cheese roll-ups and cut into bite size pieces so that every dog received a treat when he came. Some days Keith would show up with a couple 20 piece chicken nuggets to hand out. You could often find him sitting on the floor in a dog’s kennel, both of them taking a little nap. On Saturdays, Keith would take one lucky dog to Audubon Lake and take them for a long walk around the lake. The staff at the shelter began to refer to Audubon Lake as the “Magic Lake” because it seemed like each dog Keith took to the lake would get adopted shortly thereafter.
Keith was a kind, loving soul who would make us all laugh. Although, Keith could also be a “nudge” some days and drive us a little crazy. I would be in the office and hear someone in the kennel say, “Keith, knock it off.” Of course, the days of being a nudge were far outweighed by Keith’s kindness and love for the animals at the shelter.
During his first year at the shelter, Keith favored a German Shepherd named Jake that was found as a stray and never reclaimed. Jake was a young German Shepherd who needed lots of exercise and obedience training to keep him focused. Keith would walk Jake every day during the week and even come in on the weekends to walk him and work on his manners. Jake, being a very smart dog, learned his manners quickly. Keith and Jake bonded during their quality time together. Keith and adopted Jake and took him home. Jake and Keith were very happy together. Jake was the perfect dog. Keith continued to come to the shelter every day to walk the other dogs.
Two years after Keith took Jake home a beautiful brindle, mix breed, girl named Edie came to stay at the shelter. Edie was an older girl and was being overlooked for adoption because of her age even though she was perfect in every way. Edie is housebroken, a friendly gentle soul. Edie and Jake are very bonded. Although Keith did tell us they would each have their own moments of jealousy if Keith was sitting on the couch and petting one and the other tried to interfere. They each wanted their alone time with Keith.
Recently and completely unexpectedly, our dear friend Keith passed away. Jake and Edie were left in the home all alone. Keith’s family returned Jake and Edie to Almost Home. We have assured Keith’s family that we will find Jake and Edie the best forever home we can. Jake and Edie are very bonded to each other and would like to stay together.
I can tell you that Jake and Edie were alone in the house for at least 3 days. Edie had one accident in the house. Jake did not go to the bathroom until he came outside. These are two very good dogs who deserve the best. Jake and Edie are both loving and friendly. They are very special to the staff and volunteers at Almost Home. If you would like to meet them and learn more about them please stop in or call us at Almost Home Animal Shelter 9140-C Pennsauken Highway Pennsauken, NJ 08110 or call us at (856) 663-3058. We would love to find someone willing to provide Jake and Edie with a forever home where they can be together. Please help us find Jake and Edie a great home! Thank you for reading and please share!
Any donations in Jake & Edie's behalf would surely be appreciated at the address mentioned above
