A leash in my hand. A small promise of joy waiting at the park. Jacob was five. Five years of unconditional love, wet noses, and quiet understanding. As soon as we entered the park, I would remove his leash, and he would explode into happiness; running, chasing invisible dreams, living fully in those moments. That park was his world.
His freedom. Sometimes he ran so far that I could barely see him. He always came back. Yesterday morning, January 20, 2026, he ran again. Just like always. Then, in seconds… everything stopped. I saw him collapse. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me. I called his name. I held him. I begged him to stay. I gave him CPR with shaking hands and a breaking heart. I rushed him to the vet, refusing to believe what my eyes were seeing. The vet said it was a heart attack. Quick.
Sudden. Painless. But for me, it shattered a lifetime. Jacob didn’t leave scared. He left doing what he loved; running free, happy, in his favorite place, with the person he trusted most nearby. Some souls are too pure to stay long. They come, they teach us love, and they leave quietly. Run free now, Jacob. No leash. No pain. Just endless green fields and peace. You were loved every second of your life. And you always will be. 🕊️🐾
