Seldom

When I found Ike’s profile on Petfinder I had been looking for a senior dog for months with no luck. I emailed inquiring about him right away and got a call the next day from his foster mom, Carol. I told Carol I was looking for a nice old dog who would want to relax in my quiet house with two cat brothers and get spoiled rotten. I met Ike on December 17, 2017. His foster parents brought him out of his bedroom hiding spot and put him on my lap. He was shaking and scared but I was already in love. Carol looked at me skeptically and said “Is he what you were expecting?” I said he was exactly the boy for me. I brought Ike home on December 28, 2017 and I cried like a baby when I scooped him up in my arms that first time. Carol had him dressed in a sweater which was only the first of many sweaters and jackets I forced him to wear in the cold weather. On January 12, 2018, Ike smiled for the first time, we were at the dog park which is one of his favorite places. He also began wagging his tail. I could tell he was settling in and becoming the happy dog I knew was in there. Ike now has a pretty busy life for an old guy. He goes to the dog park a couple times a week and goes to a dogs-only swim center and spends time with his favorite swim instructor Erica. He even cuddles with her and I am only a little bit jealous. His dog walker Harriet comes everyday around lunch to give him pets and take him on a nice long walk. I pop him in his dog stroller and take him almost everywhere; the deli staff at the grocery store love him and sneak him slices of his favorite turkey. His absolute favorite outing, other than swim lessons, is the nail salon. He loves the women who work at the salon; they take him off leash and let him roam around the salon. Ike gave one client in the waxing room quiet a startle. Everyone in our condo complex adores him and comments on how healthy and happy he looks compared to those first few months. Every night Ike sleeps in his dog bed right next to my bed. I can’t fall asleep without the sound of his snoring and little barks in his sleep. I truly believe Ike spent his first 12 years patiently waiting for me and I couldn’t imagine him spending the rest of his days with anyone else. Every day with Ike is a blessing and watching him grow to love life so much has been such a joy. Ike always reminds me the importance of patience and to appreciate the little things in life. Ariel and cat brothers Duck and Charlie