We would start running from the driveway of our home at the bottom of a rolling hill on a cul-de-sac in Chester County, Pa., and not stop until we were a half-mile away, at the crest of the hill at the entrance to the development. That was a while back when we both had knees and could run.

Jakecame into our home in 2003 when my lovely wife retired. He was a clumsy ball of red fur, with that sideways gait of a puppy, and two crooked bottom front teeth.