Ike is at the Bridge

[I Like Ike]

I haven't posted here very much and as a result you all haven't gotten to know Ike, but I feel like I have to tell you a little about him. I know you'll understand.

Yesterday started out as a great day. My husband was off from work and we went out to lunch and stopped off at the store to buy a new dog bed and some diet supplements that we were supposed to start Ike on as well as a big new storage bin for his new low protein dog food the vet recommended.

We had been concerned because Ike had been showing some symptoms of thyroid or cushings disease, so he had some blood tests done. We were going to take him back in for more tests today (Friday).

Ike was a product of a backyard breeder before I had ever heard of the term. He already had arthritis and hip dysplasia before he was a year old. He had a TPO that really helped him although he has always been weak in the rear end. But he's always been as active as any other lab. Loved to swim, loved to dig up my flowers and shrubs. He was good at getting into the garbage and counter surfing - he once pulled bacon out of the pan while I was frying it! He was destructive just by his size. But what a kind soul he was - his heart was as big as the Montana sky he was born under. He got along with everybody, human or animal.

But yesterday while we were out shopping for him, Ike was at home dying. We knew the instant we saw him that it was bloat and it was very bad. He had this before in Oct. 2005, but we were home and got him to the vet immediately that time. Even then he had a really hard time with the surgery and with complications to his heart. It was a long recovery.

When we found him yesterday, we rushed him to the vet as fast as we could. Because of the severity of the bloating and the tough time he had with the surgery the first time, we made the heartbreaking decision to put him down. We held him and did our best to comfort him as he went. I haven't been able to stop crying since. We sure are going to miss that boy. :'(

Ike ~ December 4 1998 to November 29 2007

[imported_zoezoe]

:'( I am so very sorry......((((BIG HUG))))

[imported_kiddsmom]

[zoesmom]

What a handsome dog.
I'm sorry for your loss.


Run free Ike.

[TangerineFizz]

OMG. I am SO sorry for your loss. Godspeed Ike, you were loved alot.

[DFWLab]

i'm very sorry for your loss...run free Ike

[BoatDog]

So very sorry for your loss - Ike was loved!

[Katies Mom]

I am so so sorry. Run with the wind Ike, go play with all ours that went before you. You have plenty of company there.

[imported_BucksMom]

Run free sweet Ike, and hugs to you and your family.

[Paddysmom]

I'm so sorry you lost your beloved. He'll be forever in your heart, of course.