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Help Jake the GSD Hero

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Jim is alive because of Jake, one of his 3 GSD's. They lived in Concow up the hill from Paradise. Concow was hit very early in the morning by the fire.  In the early morning hours (3am) Jake started to bark and nudge Jim to get him up. Jim thought it was a bear or other critter in the yard that was causing Jake to be so agitated, but when Jake wouldn't quit, Jim got up and looked behind him, the sky was RED. Jim grabbed Jake and two other dogs, the 3 urns  which contained all his departed family members and all the cash he had. Jim says he doesn't know how but he got his 3 dogs into the truck with the urns in his arms and made it out - but just barely. His truck parts were melted as he drove through a wall of fire. In order to stay in a shelter, Jim had to relinquish his dogs to a shelter in Oroville. He went by everyday to check on them  but the shelter would not let him see his dogs but was told they were fine. As it turns out, Jake had been transferred to another organization the day after arrival. There he was housed outside in the smoke and cold, perhaps thinking a big healthy dog stood a better chance in that environment than another. Days of breathing the concentrated smoke and cold temps took its toll. Jake is very ill. He is on oxygen and IV drip and is currently being treated at Sage Veterinary Hospital in Concord. Jim is so distraught over Jake and the PTSD from his horrible experience.  (He also tried to save his neighbor but could not get her up before the fire took over. She perished).  Sage has offered to cap his expenses at 11K.  As of  December 1, 2018, the account has reached $16K. Jim has scraped together $2,000 and has given it to Sage, all he had.  He is retired and living off SS. We talked to Sage and Jim yesterday.  He managed to borrow a flip phone and the vet calls him every day for Jake's update.  All Jim can talk about were his departed dogs, his current 2 dogs and Jake. Jake saved his life and all he wishes is that Jake can come back to him. When asked is he needed anything immediately, he was adamant that he needed nothing, except to have Jake by his side. Not even with a stitch of clothing, photos - everything is gone.  He sounded really upbeat, strong and insisted he didn't need anything personally, he said 'Nothing matters, except the living creatures'. He is scared that Jake will not make it. Our team is making sure he is getting the best care at Sage and updates will be given here as we get the reports in. We're asking for your help at the minimum of paying off Sage's Bill first and if there are any funds left, it will be given to Jim for the care of his 3 dogs. The 2 dogs were re-united but is showing symptoms of smoke in the lungs, kennel cough and runny nose. I really want you to know that even though Jim lost 60 years of everything in the fire, all he could think of is Jake. 
LOVE IS EVERYTHING. IT KEEPS YOUR SOUL AND SANITY TOGETHER.
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Donations 

  • Sarah Ritter
    • $10
    • 6 yrs
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Fundraising team: Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue friends (6)

Susan Hsu
Organizer
Alamo, CA
Grace Moy-Gyotoku
Team member
Kristy Frederick Jennings
Team member
Luyi Zhang
Team member
Neel Neelakantan
Team member

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