Tammie & Ike

Written by Cecilia Isberg

After the very sad time of losing a loved dog, it can be a difficult and sensitive decision when you are ready to adopt a new dog. You have to grieve and come to terms with the loss of your previous dog in a healthy manner. The time that it takes is different for everyone and there is no right or wrong period before you feel ready to invite a new pet into your home. However, when that time arrives, it is a very exciting experience full of awaiting memories.

Tammie was feeling slightly reluctant to adopt another dog after her faithful companion, a shepherd mix named Scamp, had passed away. It is normal to feel uneasy at first because we don’t want to feel as though we are replacing a departed pet with a new one, nor do we want to find ourselves comparing our new pet to our beloved lost animal.

Tammie felt as though her home was just “empty” without the sound of a jingling collar or a loyal friend to greet her at the door each day.  She got word of a Great Dane mix at Heaven Can Wait that needed a home. She grew up with Great Danes and always had a fondness for them. After seeing some photos of Ike, a huge loveable gentle giant, she knew that he had to become part of her family.

Ike had been with Heaven Can Wait for quite a while, waiting to be adopted.  Each week he sat patiently in his pen at the adoption center as people passed him by for smaller dogs.  Our dog coordinators said he smiled from “ear to ear” when Tammie came to meet him.

At first Ike was a mama’s boy. He took some time warming up to Tammie’s husband and her sons. In fact, Ike didn’t seem to be a fan of boys or men in general.  As an enrollee in Heaven Can Wait’s Pups on Parole program, Ike had spent several months at the women’s correctional facility and apparently developed a soft spot for women.

However, he warmed up to the boys after spending some quality time with them. Tammie’s husband brought Ike along on a camping trip and he has literally been man’s best friend ever since.

Ike has become a wonderful family pet. He thinks he is a little lap dog and loves to cuddle.  He also loves having his picture taken and even smiles at the camera. Thanks to his gentle nature not only has he earned his spot on the couch, but also a spot in Tammie’s heart.

Heaven Can Wait holds cat and dog adoptions each weekend inside PetSmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy. (off I-215 and S. Rainbow).  Cats are adopted Thursday afternoon – Sunday and dogs are available on Saturdays.  Check out all the pets at: www.hcws.org

About these ads