To do this twice within three days is painful, to say the least.
I actually came across a picture of Ike the day I brought him home, today. I was at work, showing a colleague pictures of Shadow, and I found it on Facebook.
When I found Ike, his owner was in a bad situation that required him to be given a new owner. He actually had a police officer before me, and she had four pups: Ike, a Saint Bernard, a young German Shepherd, and a 13 year old Rottweiler. She was moving, and she was keeping the German Shepherd because he was the youngest and the Rottweiler because of his age. I went to her house, and she was on-duty; so, her friend let me play with Ike for a bit and I fell in love. He was happy, cheerful, and just loving. And the first pup who was my own. I took him home that day.
Anyone who met Ike knew that it was impossible to not fall in love with him. His eyes were amazingly expressive. Big and brown, and he could use them to manipulate you. He was like that, though: He could play a person to do whatever they wanted. I don't know how many times he would do something bad to upset me, and then that look would melt my heart. He could get a treat out of me just by batting an eyelash.
But he didn't have to do that. He rarely did anything wrong. The one time he got out of the yard, he trotted down the street and sat by a tree until I came and got him.
While my Grandmother was alive, I took him with me to visit her every week while she was in assisted living. She loved him so much. She often said that if she could live somewhere where she had a dog, she would have Ike. Two days before she passed, and the last day she was really awake, Ike got to spend a few hours next to her bed, and I know he loved her as much as he loved me.
Ike was... Ike. You couldn't imagine a better dog. He loved to give kisses, and he knew when something was wrong. When he first met you, he would sniff your leg, and then lick your face until you made him stop. He would always shake your hand when you asked, and when you wanted him to talk...
Talking was a game for us. It used to be he would just bark. But then he didn't. I would say talk, and he'd look at me; then I'd say it again, and he'd wag his tail; then I'd say it again, and he'd whine; then I'd say it, and he'd bark and lift his head up and lick my face.
And he was a bed hog. Most nights, while he still could, he would jump onto my side of the bed and pretend to be asleep. I'd have to move him, or just give up and lay someplace else. He was hard to share the bed with, though; he was always moving around, or he would just lick my hand or my face.
I have so many memories of Ike waiting for me when I walked through the door. He'd wag his tail and bark. And I when I got his food, he would jump and down, all happy. Watching him eat... I swear, thirty seconds, a full bowl was empty; and when you gave him a treat, you were lucky to keep your fingers. But if he nipped you, he was immediately sad (as soon as he finished the treat). He was just so caring.
Except towards birds. He hated birds. One time, the neighbor's chicken got into the yard, and he caught it. It was morning, and it was the time he was let out while I was in the shower; just after I woke up, but before I fed him. I called him in for breakfast, and Shadow ran in, but no Ike. Going outside, I kept calling, and he came around the side of the house, holding a dead chicken. He looked so proud! I told him to drop, and he did, and came towards me with his tail down. I told him it was okay, and he picked it up to bring it to me, tail wagging. I told him to drop it, and he came all sad again; I told him it was okay, pet him, and he went and wolfed down his food, happy I still loved him. I threw away the chicken, and never told the neighbor.
Fourteen years, always happy and excited, and super active. Until a few weeks ago. One day, he just didn't finish his food. Then he was less active. Then he stopped eating. I knew it was time, but I couldn't take him in. I think... I think he wanted to be here for with Shadow. He loved Shadow (tried to hump him way too often). And, after Shadow left, Ike stayed with me just a few more days. He wanted to make sure I was okay. I told him it was okay; he had a hard time breathing, and a hard time walking. I told him it was okay, that he could go and be with Shadow; that Shadow was there to help him. He didn't need to suffer for me.
And today, while I was work, he let go and found peace. As sad as I am, as much as it hurts, I'm glad he's with Shadow, and he's not hurting again. He's a young pup once more.
Ike, you have always been a sweet prince, and you always will be the best part of me. I will always hold you in my heart. I love you, buddy; and I'll miss you until the stars burn out.