I Like Ike

For years, we had Basset hounds stating with Katie, then Homer, Beethoven and finally, Sir George. At one point we had all four at the same time. Bassets are lovable little creatures but stubborn and not especially bright. In time, they would all pass and the last was Sir George whom I nick-named “Pucky”, a nod to his huge paws that mimicked hockey pucks. After my stroke of 2007, when I first returned home from the hospital, I was unable to walk but with rehab work, I was soon able to take them on short jaunts by leash. By 2009, sadly, they had passed on and we were “dogless” for the first time in seventeen years. We would remain so until 2011 when Ike would make his debut.

To discourage becoming sedentary, we decided it would be a good idea for my health to get another dog that would require regular walking, one that would force me off the couch and onto the pavement. We visited S.A.F.E (an acronym for Save Animals from Euthanization) with the thought of a lightweight dog that would be of manageable size. They presented “Ike” a mixed breed at 70 lbs., three years old, and housebroken, about 50 lbs. heavier than we had been considering. We promptly took him home.

He adapted well with us, but that was not necessarily the case with other people. He taught us that he had a strong disliking for kids on skateboards, UPS, Fed Ex, USPS, garbage men, fat people, black people, brown people, sloppy people, rednecks, Amazon delivery men vans of all types and my brother. We’re really not sure, but we think he may have a questionable history with some or most of the above.

Now, Ike at fourteen years takes daily two-mile walks at “The Canopy”, a paved walking trail through the woods where he meets all of his new-found friends who fawn over him and call him “Old Grampa”.  He has also become a celebrity here at Grand Ravine, where we live. Ike has done a wonderful job in filling a void for us physically and emotionally. While it is true that we have provided for him a “forever home”, he has earned his place in our family. It’s as true today as it was in 1956, I Like Ike!