Many of you
have asked, “How is Ike?”
Upon
reviewing my folder marked “Columns”, I realized the Chronicles Of Ike have
been noticeable scant. It is not that I don’t care for the little guy; I most
certainly do
It is just
that…well…giving a day by day account of a dog’s life has the potential to be
somewhat boring. One can only read:
“I woke up.
I ate. I went outside and did my thing. I came in side and begged part of a
banana from the lovely lady. Took a nap. I woke up, and got a drink. I barked at the neighborhood cat. Barked at a
squirrel, and then played with my new chew toy. Took a much needed nap. Awoke
to save everyone from a blue-jay once again. I ate again.” And, so it goes. Not
the most riveting stuff ever written.
But, time
has progressed, and so has Ike. He will be two this spring. The cute, cuddly
animated Beanie Baby which invaded our home has grown into a stately,
dignified, handsome dog. Finally, his head is growing into his ears. I no
longer worry a stiff gale will pluck him aloft like an autumn leaf. He is a
classic looking Bulldog.
My Lovely
Bride, having long ago cast aside any hopes of training me, has spent a good
deal of time working with Ike. He has been learning all sorts of things; waving
Hi, rolling over, sit, down, heel, come front… all manner of doggie things. He
has also been learning obedience, agility, and (I am not kidding) “canine
freestyle”.
From what I
have been told, and can comprehend it is a form of dancing, albeit with a
four-legged partner. Kevin Costner may
have danced with wolves; LB dances with Bulldogs. I have yet to call her “Dances
with dogs”… it may not be terribly well received.
The idea is
to pick music which corresponds to the dog’s stature, gait and movements. This
is then coupled with various Obedience and Agility maneuvers, which result in a
rhythmic dance. To me, “Low Rider” comes immediately to mind. For some reason,
I can’t picture Ike grooving to “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies”.
The big recital is coming up in a few weeks;
so I will be as surprised as anyone to hear what was chosen.
Just the
other day, LB and I received quite a surprise in the mail. A large, official
looking manila (did you call it “vanilla” when you were a kid, too?) envelope,
addressed to her. Hands shaking with excitement, she opened it. Contained within, accompanied by a letter of
achievement and congratulations were…… Ike’s RN!!
Imagine
that!?! We had no idea he was even enrolled in school! And to think he is now “Ike,
RN”. Wow!!
This did go
a long way in explaining the dog hair on my laptop, and the data overages on
our cell phone bill. Obviously, he took courses on-line. When he was at dog
shows, training, etc; he would sneak into LB’s phone and catch up on his course
work.
I was so proud;
I could have popped a button. Just as I was about to call the local paper and
have them send over a reporter pronto and cover “Local Dog Gets Nursing Degree”;
my Lovely Bride pointed out “RN” means “Rally Novice” and is an American Kennel
Club Obedience title.
Well, I’ll
tell you what….my disappointment was no less than realizing I missed the
Publisher’s Clearinghouse Prize Patrol…..again. Still that is pretty cool, getting
his first doggie title.
It’s just
that any thoughts I had of his getting a good job, and picking up some of his
own freight were pretty much over.
However, all
may not be lost.
Recently, LB
auditioned for a local indie play/movie project. The new thing in live theater
is incorporating previously shot video with live action. This is something I
incorporated in our church productions about 6 years ago. But I digress.
She was cast
in the role of the Judge. Upon receiving the full script, and reading through
it; she noticed the leading character’s BFF is a Bulldog. When she asked the
producers about the part, she was told that another dog was in mind.
However,
when she initially sent a recent photo of herself, it was the photo of her
and Ike when he got his title ribbon at a dog show. The producers went back,
saw Ike, and (drum roll)… he is now the leading dog!
The ironic
part is, he has more appearances than LB! Proving once again, W.C. Fields was
right; “Never work with children or animals”.
As of this
writing, he is taking it all in stride; curled up on his doggie blankets,
snoozing in front of his toys.
Life for Ike
and Life with Ike is good.
HEY!!! I
wonder if he ran the Prize Patrol off?? Hmmmm.
