BY JOHN J. PALUMBO
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: John Palumbo with Jake at the East Greenwich Animal Protection League on the day he brought him home; always happy Jake; June Cleaver; Jake’ s soulful eyes; Jake dressed up for Easter by the team at doggie day care; the three amigos— Jake, June and Cole— relaxing at home.
JAKE WAS MY PRIDE AND JOY. His photos were all over my Facebook and Instagram pages, on my phone and holiday cards. Whenever I met another dog owner, I’ d haul out the pictures like a proud parent.
During the pandemic, we took long, soulful walks every day to escape the isolation and dark, unknown times. I would sit at my desk at home, running a business I was doubtful I could keep alive. I would glance back and he was there with eyes that said,“ I’ m here for you, Dad.”
It became apparent that he was growing older; his muzzle had grown white, and on most occasions, he needed help getting on and off the couch or in and out of the car.
Fast-forward a few years. With solitary life wearing on me, I started perusing the same rescue site on Facebook, thinking companionship would be good for both me and my aging buddy. Enter June Cleaver. Yep, that was her name. Junie was sadly surrendered by her owner, who was expecting her first child.
At our first encounter, it was obvious
“ Jake was everyone’ s sweetheart— whether at work, on a walk, at the groomer, at the vet or at doggie day care. It was not uncommon for people to say,‘ I love this dog.’”
she hated the rescue and all the noise, as if she wanted to burst through her enclosure. Nervous, high-strung and scared, she was not the warm and fuzzy dog everyone wants to adopt. And at six years old, she wasn’ t exactly a puppy.
After a week of deliberating, I finally relented, and June Cleaver entered our lives. June is a beagle / foxhound mix. I learned very quickly when they want to do something( or not), you’ d better comply. She would plop down in the middle of the street if the walk was too long, too warm or too cold. After begging and tugging, she relented, especially if a car was coming in our direction.
We grew accustomed to her scampering off to a quiet place when the bug zapper buzzed or when I dropped a piece of silverware. She avoided Jake, except when she could sneak away to steal some food. June Cleaver was no Miss Manners.
With a year behind us, June mellowed, tolerating some noise, other dogs and people— a significant step. The three amigos— Jake, June and I— began a Sunday ritual of walking the trails in Warwick’ s Goddard Park, often confronting rabbits, deer and the occasional coyote. We became a family on an outing, greeting familiar walkers with canines in tow.
June quickly joined the backyard Paw Patrol, where no squirrel dared to set foot, no matter how tempting the bird feeder.
My life was full. The walks, feeding routines and managing a growing list of meds
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I OCTOBER 2025 29