It’s still dark entering the Park, when I see an array of lights darting against the predawn sky. As I get closer, I see it’s a Pitbull with a collar made up of Christmas lights.
Ike is his name belonging to a Vietnam Vet, named Billy, who found him on the Lower East Side apparently in great need of care.
As Ike does relays back and forth, my smile gets bigger and bigger. He reminds me of being a kid going to my Auntie Ida’s house on Christmas Eve, passing all the homes with twinkle lights twined around their porches and windows.
It was my favorite part of the trip…greens and blues, reds and yellows lighting the way pretending from our ice blue Chevy Impala, to be Wendy in Peter Pan.
The dog, at his master’s gentle request, come’s over, panting, so we could be properly introduced.
Billy says, “Ike, what do we do when we meet a lady?”
As the light was just beginning to change, a runner or two in our midst, Ike politely sits down to give me his mighty paw.
“Such a grip,” I say to Billy, “and I don’t mind telling you, I’ve always been a sucker for a gentleman.”
When I then say, how noble it was that he rescued Ike, he says, “No, you got it backwards,” stroking Ike’s head tenderly…
“Ike here, he rescued me.” 
SB
I love that last line, so much.
As for the rest of it, I don’t just Like Ike . . I Love Ike!
LikeLiked by 1 person
His head is the size of Pluto. I fell in Instant love. We’re dating. 😝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ike will always be on time. He’ll hold the door. And he’s a runner too! What. A. Man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll say. And on top of all that, he smells good. I think it’s Old Spice. My favorite. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
An Old Spice man. He’s old school too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know Mr. Imma is an Old Spice man too, with a goil in every port. 😙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welp, maybe back in the day that was true. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is there an all night drugstore nearby? Don’t you think you need to stock up? I’d hurry if I were you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re too much, LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you in the car 🚙 ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only thing I would be scoring if I were in my car is some more cold medication, sad to say. It’s that time of year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. I sound like Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am toasting you with tea and honey. Feel better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful post, Susannah! That last line goes right to the heart! Zinggggg!
What a handsome fella, that Ike is…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe you’ll read it to Zeke, as a bedtime story. 📖 💤😴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Speaking of which, you are up late, young lady!!
And yes, I will 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Late for me. Reading Anthony Bourdain’s Last Interview, a little book in paper I couldn’t pass by. Just when I said I rarely buy books. I still can’t think of him as gone. Just on another trip is all, to Parts Unknown. Sigh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I know – since you are up before the cock crows 😉
Oh… I still can’t think of him as gone. He was such a brilliant man. So talented and I adore his writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, and these are just interviews, and his parlance just casually is so stunning. His love of language comes through like a light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does it ever! I adore him. For being himself, honest, gracious and such a wonderful wordsmith to boot!
LikeLike
Agreed. Class Act there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is poetic and certainly not doggerel. Loved the post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a doggie dog post alright. 🐶
LikeLike
Better than a CAT CATch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would you consider leaving your mind to Science?
LikeLike
RATs! RATher not think about that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You win the round.
LikeLike
Not fair and square, though. Let’s call it a tie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beau tie?
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was a long shot, but hey…you’re hard to keep up with.
LikeLike
I think of us as walking together, even though you run and I don’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be happy to pull you in a nice wagon. You can sightsee. 🧐
LikeLike
What a kind offer! I’d love it.
What happens if I fall off the wagon???
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll have to wheel you to rehab I guess.
LikeLike
Good one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If it was so good there would be a retort. You’re not fooling me.
LikeLike
I have to take my turn at being the first one to quit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah yeah. I’m just not enough of a challenge. You’re not foolin me 😠
LikeLike
You are the only one who puns with me on a regular basis. I’m being spoiled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make me locate my brain. It’s a good thing for me who worries about losing it. No pun intended.
🙂
LikeLike
Never mind. (That’s after you’ve lost it.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
See, if that happens, who will come mind the store? I’m taking applications.
LikeLike
Apply yourself, and you will succeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always wanted to succeed in business without really trying. I think I’ll apply to that.
LikeLike
Sounds good. You could never be trying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s because I’m usually crying.
LikeLike
I hope some of your tears are tears of joy.
LikeLike
Joy is what I wash my dishes with.
LikeLike
LOL!! I pledge to keep laughing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Til it hurts?
LikeLike
Until my sides split.
LikeLiked by 1 person
like a Banana split, just without the cream.
LikeLike
You’re just so sharp, like a good cheese.
LikeLike
Shall I bring some bread and meet you in the park?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bring a tablecloth. It’s the Connecticut in me.
LikeLike
Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dies hard, all that red and white check.
LikeLike
The tablecloth keeps you in check?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There you go again
LikeLike
PS I wasn’t being catty.
LikeLike
I can’t imagine your being catty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was my cut Anne to your CAT CATch. parry. Back to the factory for me. Must be outta whack again.
LikeLike
I took your statement literally. A question — have you ever been in whack?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never, but wanted to be one though when my patriotism ran amok.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You encounter the best stuff. For me, it is because of your heart. Cheers to Ike and Billy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, it was humanity at its best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such encounters so warm the heart…Susannah, I love your writing and also love reading the comments. It’s rather like a family sharing thoughts. I also fell in love with Billy and Ike. A soft spot in my heart for both. Ike is a hero for saving an unsung hero. Wonderful meeting those two guys! Thanks for writing beautifully. Dashing off such beautiful, colorful words in real life. Bravo!
LikeLike
I know you have a soft spot for the military because of your husband. Hope you feel a little less lost as of late. You both were together for a very long time.
LikeLike
I am told by my stroke counselor that my cat, the mighty Tamika, has kinda saved me. She said that retired men, single and disabled, often drop from society and have no contact with others. Now, I have you all, my blogging world, I have the Cracker Barrel crew, my Mom and other family, and my friends. But Tamika is around all those hours when there’s no one. Who knew?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s your mistress of sorts, with a tail. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, I shall try to remember that. lol
LikeLike
I’m sure Miss Kitty would approve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anything for good food and more attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cats are smart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet! Pit bulls get a bad rap sometimes, yes? I love ’em.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s how you treat an animal. Like how you treat a kid. We respond the way we’re treated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love folks who care enough to take in animals in need. I’m glad Billy feels Ike has made his life better. Most rescues do that. Lovely post, Susannah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were like the Urban Timmy and Lassie. I know what an animal lover you are John. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the whole concept of Urban. How it allows wiggle room. Language at its best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having spent some time in rural I definately think Urban has the most room for wiggle. You make the best of the Urban setting for sure. I for one always feel close to your city (the one I love ) when I read your posts. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a fancy girl by nature, been on my own here much too long, so my vistas lack opulence, for better or worse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Opulence is over rated.
LikeLike
Agreed. It’s also dull and gets old real quick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doggy saves the day, again! Where would the world be without our hounds?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you’re a dog lover too. I fall in love so easily. Ike is a great dog, and I swear, they know when they’ve been given another chance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet story. Wonderful when when needs are met and love is the result.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know what they say, all you need is love. 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful story, Susannah, especially with the flashback to your childhood. You meet all kinds of interesting people out and about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do. I think one, it’s the writer in me always trolling for a story, and that I’m alone a lot, so I tend to seek out casual exchanges, plus. I’m a sucker for a Pitt. I just love them. They’re so heroic in my eyes. Ike, if he could only talk, believe me, he’d rival Whitman with his stories. WOOF!
LikeLike
Just as we all need someone to care for us, we also need someone to care for. I wonder how many others noticed such a wonderful Christmas dog?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was pretty early, but I’m sure Ike has a following. 🙂
LikeLike