The terrible cancer that invaded Jake’s body is called Canine Splenic Hemangiosarcoma (HSA).

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly aggressive tumor that arises from the cells that make up the blood vessels. These cells undergo a genomic alteration from normal to malignant that allows them to escape the body’s normal surveillance system and allows them to proliferate and grow. HSA can occur most anywhere in the body, but it most commonly develops in the spleen, liver, heart, and skin.

HSA is highly aggressive and locally invasive. It invades and destroys the organs in which it arises. It also avidly metastasizes or spreads to sites elsewhere in the body. Metastasis is a process in which tumor cells leave the primary tumor site through the blood or lymph systems. These cells then travel to other sites in the body, where the malignant cells can take root and grow into new nodules or masses. HSA most commonly spreads to the liver, mesentery, and lungs.

Jake, when I last held your face, I told you to find Bear, Bella, and Lady and run free.  You gave me kisses and looked at me as if you understood.  My tears landed on your nose, and then you were gone.  You and I were so connected.  We still are in spirit.  You knew I needed to see that you were ok.  You have given me the signs that let me know you are at peace.  From the brown Praying Mantis on the garage door the day you passed, the snow white feather on the shrubs you used to love running through, the raindrops on my windshield, the butterfly and the turtle sitting in your favorite spots, to the vivid dream where I could hold you again.

Signs from the Spirit World, Signs from Jake, and Their Meaning

Brown Praying Mantis – The brown color can symbolize groundedness and a connection to the earth, while the mantis itself represents stillness, wisdom, and patience. It can be a message that everything is okay and the energy of the lost one is transitioning to a universal consciousness, offering comfort to those experiencing grief.

White Feather – Finding a white feather after a pet’s death is often interpreted as a comforting sign of their continued presence or a message from a spiritual source, such as an angel or guardian spirit. White feathers symbolize peace, purity, faith, and protection, indicating that your beloved pet is at peace and watching over you. It’s a spiritual message confirming you are not alone and that your pet’s love and memory live on.

Large drops of rain on our windshield – The next day after your passing, we took Maggie to OSU for her final checkup after her ACL surgery.  When we take the last exit after a long trip back from Columbus, we always say…” we made it home.”  As we came to our stop, a handful of heavy drops of rain hit our windshield.  The weather remained unchanged, the sky remained blue, and the rain was brief.  Jake, were you shedding tears for us?

Seeing rain a day after a pet’s death can be interpreted in several ways, from a traditional symbol of cleansing and renewal to a personal metaphor for grief and tears, and even a sign of spiritual connection to the departed. While its meaning is largely cultural and personal, rain can represent a symbolic washing away of pain, the sky shedding tears in sorrow, or the spiritual transition of the pet’s soul to a new stage of existence.

The baby turtle and the butterfly – I opened up the door last weekend and found a baby turtle lying in the spot where you would stand, waiting for me to let you in.  This baby looked at me for a few seconds and slowly walked off.  Two hours later, I found a giant monarch butterfly in the garage where you used to lie and watch us work.

The appearance of a turtle or butterfly, after a pet’s loss, can be seen as a sign that your pet is at peace and their soul has transformed into a new, beautiful form.

My dream – Two nights after you passed, you came to me in a dream.  I kept saying that I wished I could see you one more time.  You let me have that.  I held you, told you how much I loved you, and you looked into my eyes as you always had, and understood.

I am grateful for all the love and support we have received.  Your kind messages, cards, texts, and phone calls will not be forgotten.  They have helped me heal slowly.  We are adjusting to a new normal without Jake and giving Maggie all of the time and attention she needs.  I will retain the Two Adorable Labs name and logo and continue to run the blog as before.

I have written blogs on loss in the past, never realizing I would need to call on them so soon.  If you have experienced this kind of loss, my heart goes out to you.  Dealing With The Death Of A Pet is incredibly hard.

Thank you to Pleasant Valley Animal Clinic and Blue Pearl Emergency Hospital for doing everything you could to save Jake.  

Rest In Peace, My Sweet Jake.