Adventures with Ike: A Tribute to My Best Friend

Rest easy, buddy.

Thanks for your patience as I dealt with the loss of the best dog and my best friend over the last ten years.

I’ll never forget the day I found Ike. I was a lonely young officer in the Army, looking for the right dog to serve as a companion. We always had retrievers growing up - from Rocky to Max to Kody - all great labs and goldens who traveled with us across the country and world.

It started with a Seattle Times ad that led me on a drive to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. As I pulled into a long gravel driveway, I had no idea how much my life was about to change. Waiting for me at the end of that driveway was the first time I met Ike—the most loving, caring, loyal, and happy dog I could have ever imagined. When I first met him, he was a fluffy, 6 week old golden. The other puppies were chewing on shoelaces, but Ike - being Ike - sat there calmly as I pet him. I knew that he was going to be mine.

From the moment we met, Ike became my constant. He wasn’t just my dog; he was my road trip buddy, my confidant, and my best friend. He had a way of making everything relative - and being a great dog. And while it’s easy to say he changed my life, Ike truly left his mark on everyone he encountered.

For nearly 10 years, Ike was by my side through everything. He was there for the lonely and difficult times, offering quiet companionship when words weren’t enough. He was my partner on long road trips, my excuse to sneak out of awkward social events, and my reason to smile every day, especially on the hardest ones. From my time in the Army, to the challenges of business school, to the endless hours of COVID, Ike was the one constant that never wavered. In all honesty, I owe where I am today to Ike - he was by my side for all the ups and downs, the job rejections, the networking phone calls, and the successes over time. He was always right there ready for a pet, a round of zoomies, or a “chip on my shoulder” motivational walk.

He’s even featured in this blog a few times, a key leader in Ike & Birdie’s Dog Food - a partnership case study inspired by him and his sister (and the cost of their food).

In November 2022, I found out that Ike had lymphoma. At first, I thought he would be gone too soon. But Ike, being Ike, fought with a spirit that inspired everyone around him. For two years, he endured countless vet visits and treatments, earning the nickname “miracle dog” along the way. Even in the hardest moments, his tail never stopped wagging as he was paraded around the specialist vet, bringing joy to other dogs and the vet techs.

Last month, just shy of his 10th birthday, Ike’s journey came to an end. It’s hard to put into words what losing him feels like, but it’s an ache that cuts deep. He was more than a pet—he was my family, my anchor, my greatest source of joy. The house feels quieter, the days feel longer, and there’s a hole in my heart that only Ike could fill.

But even in the grief, I take comfort in knowing Ike is at peace. In my mind, he’s somewhere in doggie heaven, swimming in Puget Sound, chewing on his favorite bone, chasing tennis balls, and making new friends with that endless charm of his.

I’m so grateful for the love he brought into my life and the love so many others shared for him. To everyone who knew and adored Ike across the years, states, and memories: thank you. He truly was one of a kind.

Rest easy, Ike. You were, and always will be, my best friend.