Jake & Me

JAKE & ME

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MONUMENT VALLEY, 2003

My faithful companion of over 12 years, a Texas Dingo named Jake, died on May 20, 2008. Almost everyone who knows me witnessed the bond Jake and I shared. Although it was never my intention, Jake quickly worked his way into my heart and the hearts of those around me. Jake got to see American as few of its citizens do. Jake and I have explored the dunes of Cape Cod; skinny dipped in Central Park; strolled about Santa Fe's Christmas Eve celebration on Canyon Road, lost our way across the Salton Sea, swam in Howard Hughes' Palm Springs pool and took early morning runs on Venice Beach. Truth be told, I doubt all these hots spots, trendy events and prime real estate made an impression on Jake. He much preferred to be in and about our Seventh Street hill in Austin. The squirrel he gleefully chased across the Washington Mall was the same squirrel he was always chasing up our front yard's cottonwood tree. That's a dog's special gift to man -- simple wisdom, in daily doses: "You can find happiness on the Washington Mall, but it's right outside your front door too." Some years back, my Dad visited me in Austin for a couple of days. After carefully sizing Jake up, Dad cautiously informed me, "You got yourself a one-man dog." It was, however, this very quality that lovingly endeared Jake to so many people....my mother, Kelly, David, Trevor, Greg. I trust this book captures Jake’s enduring spirit -- one that continues to bless our lives. Phil LeConte December 17, 2008 3

JAKE & ME

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AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP JUST JAKE

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JAKE & FRIENDS

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JAKE & ME

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CAPE COD 2002

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OUR STATEMENT REGARDING LEASE LAWS. 2001

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P-TOWN 2002

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AT 1114 WEST 7TH

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HOWARD HUGHES HOUSE, PALM SPRINGS

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WIMBERELY, TEXAS

P-TOWN 2002 P-TOWN

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OUR FAVORITE SPOT IN AUSTIN

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SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 2003 (LEFT) P-TOWN (BELOW)

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AUSTIN, TEXAS 2004

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jake phil jan 2006

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TUCSON, ARIZONA

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Valley of the Gods

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Howard Hughes Estate

EL PASO, TEXAS

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AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP JAKE & CRICKET

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JUST JAKE

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WATERDOG

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THE LOOK

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JAKE & FRIENDS

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JAKE AND GREG

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JAKE AND GRANDMA

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JAKE & BOBO

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WITH BOBO

PHIL, JAKE AND GREG

WITH DAVID

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Self Portrait with Jake

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