I met him again about two weeks later. That was the first time I held him in my arms. He was about eight weeks old. He was a fuzzy, soft, and warm Golden Retriever puppy. I remember looking into his eyes and thinking I was going to teach this little guy so much. And he was going to make a great guide dog someday. I couldn't have been more wrong. First of all he was retired from the program due to health reasons. And secondly, it is he who has taught me, more than I could have ever imagined. Initially it was my job to take care of this little pup. You see he was going to be a Guide Dog for the blind. I was to expose him to as many different social settings as I could for one year and then, give him back. Sure we went to a few restaurants, he came to classes with me, and I taught him some obedience. But in the end, none of that comes close to what he has shown and given me. I have the utmost respect for my dog Ike, and that may sound a little bizarre, but he just has such a healthy outlook on life.
I can't imagine the term unconditional love having more relevance. I screw up things far more than he does and he is always there when I need him. Someday he'll leave me, but he will have left me the memories of our time together. The lessons he has taught me will stay with me forever. And, when I think of him, I'll smile, and see that look he'd give me when it was time to play. And, if I want him by my side again, I'll just whistle like I used to… and he’ll be there.
The following morning for the first time in nine years we awoke without our beloved Ike. There was no tail whacking against the side of our bed beckoning us to get up and get started on another days adventures. I will never forget the feeling; a deep nauseous ache inside my chest. I opened the blinds in our bedroom to look out at the rock below our bedroom where only hours earlier Ike had laid. To my amazement, and joy, right beside the Alter was a mother deer and her two fawns. Robyn joined me and we watched as the three nibbled on Spring grass. Throughout the day, we noticed groups of butterflies fluttering just above Ike’s Alter. And, later, eagles soaring high above and believe it or not, even a huge black bear showed up. In fact, in all the years we had lived there, we had never seen so much wildlife. It was right out of a Disney movie. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it! It was as if the word was out, and all of these creatures were showing up to pay their final respects to one extraordinary soul – Ike.
Ike & I would like to thank Allyson for nine years of unwavering care and love. She's Ike approved, bigtime!
Dr. Allyson Belyea & Dr. Claudia Campbell
1248 Fort Street, Victoria
British Columbia, Canada, V8V 3L2
250 380 9611