Everybody, this is Ike. Ike, this is Everybody.
Just wanted to gush a little about the new love of my life.
This is Ike - the man I’ve been waiting all my life to fall in love with. He is a 3-or-so year-old Mastiff with the deepest growls, and the biggest heart. He’s a little bit anxious around new friends, but who isn’t? Give him a scratch in that spot he likes, and he’ll love you forever.
When COVID-19 shut us down, Ike lost his home. For a few days, some new friends at KW Humane Society kept him safe until we could meet. Since then, we’ve been best friends. He loves to keep me safe by sitting on my feet while I work, sitting with his feet on me when we watch TV, or lying his head on my feet when I sleep.
Since I was little I have always wanted a dog like Ike. An 80lbs lap dog to cuddle up with. Dogs bring us so much joy, and truly bring people together. They become part of the family, and are so loving. For Ike, I know very little about his previous home. In fact, what I do know I’ve learned from how he acts. Like when we moved to our new home together, and I pulled out my suitcase. His meltdown made me ache knowing someone must have left him, with their suitcase following behind. I can’t imagine that it was an easy decision to leave an animal as loving as Ike. You can tell he was very loved, and I hope he knows how much love I have for him, too.
I’ve learned that love is often out of our control. After talking to so many couples, it’s something I see frequently. We fall in love with someone and do what it takes to make a wonderful life for and with them. Sometimes it happens right away, and so intensely that you know it was the right decision from the get go. Other times, you love someone so much, and know that the wonderful life they deserve means being apart. I don’t think my heart has ever stopped loving someone; it just loves them differently. By allowing those emotions to shape themselves, I’ve learned so much more about myself and my relationships with others. It’s given me room to open my heart to so much more. Which is a good thing because I honestly have so much love for this big goof.
If you’re like me, you’ve got a ton of love to give. It’s brought so many interesting people into my life, even if only for a brief moment. But those experiences have always been valuable to me. I am so thankful to have learned to love the way I do. But more importantly, I am so thankful Ike needed someone at the same moment that I did. Every time I sweep up his fur balls around the house, I smile knowing I never had fur to sweep up, and now, he has someone who loves sweeping up after him.
Rescuing a dog is an incredible journey. Difficult at times, but so important for this animal. Please consider adopting your next fur family member, by visiting KW Humane Society, or a local shelter near you. There are so many animals with hearts as big as Ike’s that are waiting to love you back.
