After spending thirteen years as a loyal companion in a New Jersey household, Jake, a senior dog, faced the unimaginable—a life without a home. His family, preparing to move away, decided they couldn’t take him along.
As if losing his family wasn’t enough, the looming threat of euthanasia hung over Jake’s head, waiting for the inevitable if no one came forward to help.
But in a turn of fate, Uncle Neil’s Home, a farm sanctuary in New Jersey, stepped in to give Jake a second chance. The sanctuary offered him not just a place to stay but a sanctuary for healing. When they first laid eyes on Jake, their hearts broke even more, seeing the signs of severe neglect and the harsh life he had endured.
Jake’s Journey: From Heartbreak to Healing
Photo Credit: UncleNeilsHome
In December 2023, Uncle Neil’s Home received a desperate call. A woman was planning to euthanize her 13-year-old dog if the sanctuary didn’t take him in or find him a home within a week.
Upon hearing this, the sanctuary acted swiftly, sending out a heartfelt plea across all their social media channels, hoping to find a foster home for Jake. The founder of Uncle Neil’s Home, Rian Feldman, shared with Newsweek:
“I got a call one evening from a woman who needed rescue for her 13-year-old dog. She was moving and planned to euthanize him if she couldn’t find a home. I was horrified and immediately posted an urgent plea on our social media, asking our community to help us find a foster home for Jake to save his life.”
Thankfully, a compassionate couple from Maryland, Valerie and Chris, responded and offered to take Jake in. The sanctuary quickly arranged for Jake to be brought to them, but what they saw when he arrived was beyond heartbreaking.
Photo Credit: UncleNeilsHome
“They barely said goodbye to him,” Feldman recounted. “They yelled out the window, ‘bye Jake,’ and drove off… after 13 years. It was obvious that Jake had been severely neglected. He could barely walk, couldn’t get down from the car, and we had to ask them to help him down.”
This poor 13-year-old dog was merely surviving.
“Jake is clearly very arthritic and hasn’t received any supportive care. His nails hadn’t been cut in over a year, and his breathing was very heavy at times. His old family told us he had never even had a bed,” Uncle Neil’s Home shared on Facebook.
As devastating as it was to see him surrendered at his age, it might have been the silver lining Jake desperately needed after all the hardship he had endured.
In just 24 hours, Jake received more love and care than he had in his entire 13 years. “He is incredibly sweet, and while seeing him breaks our hearts, it’s all love and good living from here on out,” the sanctuary said.
The Path to Recovery
Photo Credit: UncleNeilsHome
The day after his arrival, Jake had his first vet appointment, revealing the heartbreaking reality of his condition.
The list of issues was tragically long.
According to the sanctuary, Jake was suffering from severe osteoarthritis in all four limbs, enlarged elbows, muscle atrophy, cracked teeth, dental disease, hearing loss, conjunctivitis, and multiple masses on and under his skin. He also had potential laryngeal paralysis, bladder stones, a mass on his testicle, and neurological deficits.
Jake hadn’t even been neutered.
Immediate treatment was essential, so the sanctuary wasted no time in starting his care.
After just a few days with his loving foster family, Jake’s eyes regained their sparkle. He was finally on pain medication, and many of his conditions were being managed.
For the first time in a long time, Jake was truly loved and cared for.
“Jake needs surgery for the mass on his right testicle and bladder stones. We will neuter Jake, biopsy the mass, and remove the bladder stones during surgery. Later, he’ll need dental work for two cracked teeth,” Uncle Neil’s Home shared on Instagram.
Jake has had his first surgery and is healing, happy, and absolutely thriving in his foster home. “He is doing amazingly well in his foster home. We’re hoping for a foster fail,” Feldman said.
You can follow Jake’s inspiring journey and road to recovery on his Instagram profile, @jakeypals.
