02/01
| IKE-MAN's Memorial | |
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Shirley Greene 02/01 |
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| My memorial shall not be written as a final good bye to my once-in-a-lifetime friend, companion, protector and helper. It shall not come to pass that there will ever be a minute, an hour or a day where you and I are not together. For me to exist, I must believe that you are with me, always. Part of me remains with you. To think less is unbearable. The pain I feel from not being able to touch your magnificent head is eased only by the knowledge that I may always reach out and touch your beautiful spirit. | |
| What an honor you gave me to be called IKE-MOM. People never recalled my name - only that I was IKE's MOM. We both know that our bond was all the more valuable because it wasn't love-at-first-sight. In fact, I loved you long before you respected me. You allowed me to clean your wounds and nurse you back to health, long before you acknowledged my presence. Oh, you would do basic obedience for me - all the while staring at the sky or over your shoulder. What a joy when you first met my gaze. And, the first time you enjoyed my scratches and baby talk, my heart just melted. IKE, you had me from hello. | |
| You changed my life. Your presence gave me mobility and freedom. Who'd have guessed I'd be getting up at 4:00 AM when it was only 100 degrees to make certain your got exercised by chasing bunnies in the desert? We trained together and you taught me just how much I didn't know. So glad smarter people helped us become a team. Thank you for never giving up on Mom and having the patience to let me play catch-up. | |
| And, oh that happy day when I realized that we could, together, tackle and overcome your genetic curse of inflammatory bowel disease. Every purse I owned, every fanny pack I carried always had your medication. I'd call Dr. Yocham, our German Shepherd Dog guru and say: "This is IKE-s Mom and we need some advice." We never were put on hold. And, Dr. Visser, the vet who came out at 2:00 AM to help me get you through your very worst IBD episode, adored you. So, did his office staff. Having your picture on his wall of honor (the one with hay hanging off your nose as you sit in a pumpkin patch) and his nomination of you as an Arizona Dog Of The Year sure proved how you touched so many hearts. | |
| You were more than a handsome stallion, Czech lines German Shepherd Dog. You were a quiet presence. You were dignity and nobility rolled into 93 pounds of muscle. You were a palpable vibration in every room you entered. Always the gentleman, you were unflappable with bounding puppies and always offered a warm body for toy poodles to rest against or a fluffy tail for a kitty to chase. | |
| Oh, the IKE-MAN stories we will tell - over and over and over. Dragging Mommy through manure and you ended up clean as a whistle. Doing the humpy-dance on the patio under a full moon, with no female in sight. Helping Mom crawl out of a bathroom stall at the airport. You were noble, aloof and a comedian - - all at the same time. I often thought that if you were ever missing, I'd know you'd borrowed Dad's sports car and checked into the most expensive Euro-style hotel in town - probably with a Standard Poodle. I'd find you in the bridal suite, wearing an ascot, lighting an expensive Cuban cigar, drinking water out of the toilet and watching K9 Cop! | |
| Oh, the love I feel for you, my boy. Your Daddy loved you so much, too. He just couldn't say it. The night you went to the Rainbow Bridge, Daddy told our friends: IKE was the son I never had. Your poppa-daddy cried and cried. Your mama's heart is too broken right now to let the healing tears flow. | |
| You were my hero. No matter how much pain you had, you tried to put me first. I recall the time you had a very bad IBD attack when we were hiking a wilderness trail. I ended up carrying you when the trail was too narrow to drag you on a tarp. I prayed out loud for God to help me keep you safe. You looked so upset. It had always been your job to drag me up those hills. Together, we made it back to civilization and safety. Together, we always reached our goal. | |
| And, my son, my joy, my baby-boy - - - the proudest moment of my life was picking you up in my arms that very last time and telling those who wanted to help: Back off. He is MINE and I will carry him for this last journey. They could take your bed and blanket, but mama had to carry you. Just the two of us could make that walk. We had to start our journeyby leaving the parking lot and walking to the quiet room that was to be our haven as we said good bye. | |
| We are together. We cannot be apart. You are my heart. You are my heartbeat. | |
| We are together. We cannot be apart. Each time I pass the table holding your pictures, books and awards, I stop to worship at the altar of the IKE-MAN. Each time I stagger to the left and do not feel you counterbalance, I call our your name and my heart feels it will surely break. Why is it so hard for me to cry? | |
| You are with me. You are part of me. No one who has not been blessed with this bond will understand. You are my IKE-MAN. I am your IKE-MOM. Leaving your body behind didn't change that. Your spirit may soar, my beautiful boy, but your heart beats on inside of me - forever. How can I miss you when you are right here? | |
| And, when my heart beats its last, deep inside of me will come a quiet joy, for I'll be on my way to meet you. Watch for me, IKE-MAN. I will love you - - - always. | |
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