Friday wasn’t Friday as planned because Ikaika passed away. It came out of the blue. And instead of posting Scooby’s French Fry photo as we usually do each Friday, the immediate focus shifted to helping Ikaika and his Mom find safe landing places for this loss that was beyond words. We don’t know what happened, sometimes that’s how it works.

For those of you who didn’t know Ikaika, this was the sweet 3 year-old German Shepherd Certified Service Dog who cared for his Mom, Sara, magnificently trained to detect her potentially fatal seizures before they hit. He barked to alert her, he would get her meds, he would lean against her to support her as she collapsed. He was so skilled that he could even dial 911 to summon medical help. This dog was amazing but he never gloated on his accomplishments. He just wanted belly rubs, neck scratchies and to chase tennis balls.

A tumor on his left-front leg suddenly exploded out of control a few months ago, nasty and aggressive. Sara reached out to The Pongo Fund for help and we acted fast, because we knew that by losing him we could lose her too. We rallied and each one of you rallied with us, sending contributions of love, kind words and more to pay the bill so he could get the life-saving care he needed. His heroic surgical team at VCA East Mill Plain Animal Hospital amputated his left front leg to the shoulder, successfully fending off the nasty aggressive cancer. He bounced back as if it had never happened, continuing to do the job he was trained to do, taking only a couple weeks for rest and recovery. The labwork came back perfect, we got clean margins and no other cancer was detected. Ikaika took it all in stride, focused on loving his Mom and his squeaky toys. We were thrilled.

We’ve stayed in touch with Sara and Ikaika and together we’ve celebrated his continued good health. He had an extra happy day on Thursday, enjoying the huge Portland snowstorm and playing like a puppy. And that night as he slept, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He made not a sound, he just left. Sara only learned of this Friday morning when she woke up but he did not. There was no change in his overall health, he was his same happy and goofy self as usual. Heart Arrhythmia? Seizure? Blood Clot? Who knows? Doesn’t matter. Because now the focus is on helping Sara cope without her lifeline.

Sara, please know that all of us at The Pongo Fund, near and far, share in this giant loss with you. Ikaika has gone to his next heroic role, wherever that may be. But he is also still right there beside you. The same as always, just different. Please continue to feel his love.

“Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun.” ~Kent Nerburn

Being there for friends who lose friends.

In loving memory of Ikaika, the Hero dog.

And this is why we Pongo.
Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org