Ike and Tex
"Be not envious of evil men nor desire to be with them. For their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble"
-Proverbs 24:1
December 28, 2015
Abby is face to face with Mika Cherbino. She smiles and says that, "Ike is not eating as much as he did the first 8 days. We separated him from Tex in the yard yesterday to keep a close eye on him and see if he might have become lethargic or have any other symptoms that may alarm us to an emergency." Abby continues, "Deb thinks maybe you should have him checked out to see if perhaps something may be going on." Abby always ahead of the game already has the two labs leashes and collars in her hands, ends the conversation by saying, "let me get Ike and Tex for you," Michaela has a wicked smile slowly creep onto his lips, but immediately erases it as he turns to greet the two dogs that are coming towards him. The labs freshly bathed complete with their Deb's Riverview Kennels bandana, jump into the back of Cherbino's older model pickup truck. Abby is watching the entire scene through the bay window right above the cream colored, leather couch in the lobby, is a little baffled because, she sees Cherbino taking pictures of only Ike standing in the back of his truck. She sees this behavior as odd at first. Ironically, the first sign of deception by anyone is odd or irrational behavior. Abby looks down and catches the unsigned contract and Leanne's note. She moves quickly, darting out of the front door, contract in hand, but Cherbino has already spun out of the parking lot. Abby sighs and goes inside to call him, and has to leave a voicemail asking him to return and fix his "mistake."
The kennel phone rings right at closing time. Abby answers to a raving lunatic on the other end, spitting questions at the stunning young beauty. "Why has my dog lost so much weight?" he yells, what have you done?” Then silence. Abby explains again Ike's slow decline in food intake in the last 48 hours and they monitored him in the blue group to be certain that his activity level did not decline as well. Cherbino interrupts Abby and in a slightly more condescending tone, says, “I told you not to separate them didn’t I?” Mouth agape, Abby is hurt by this man’s crass behavior, and says in a voice that commands his attention, “sir, I know however, we can’t tell who is or is not eating, nor an accurate amount of consumption if the two dogs are always together. We do separation and observation to see who has what change or to see if we may have an emergency.” Cherbino snorts on the other end, and says in a hardened tone, “let me talk to Deb.” Abby just shakes her head in disbelief that she has just heard narcissism in its purest form. She proceeds to take the phone to Deb, who is working in her office. Abby arrives at the doorframe, looks at Deb and mouths the words, “Mika Cherbino.” Deb thanks Abby and takes the phone to speak to the “upset” individual on the other end. “Hey Mika, what’s going on?” Mika repeats the words he just said to Abby claiming that Ike is not eating at all. He asks if they can meet in the morning to discuss the matter. Deb, without hesitation, agrees.
December 29th, 2015
Mika Cherbino shows up the morning of the 29th with his tape recorder already secretly recording. He is immediately led into Deb’s office where Snappy Cat (Little Boot), dressed in his usual black tuxedo with a white tip at the end of his tail, is taking his morning nap. The cat rises ears flat back on his head, hisses at Cherbino, then jumps down and marches out of Deb’s office door to finish his siesta elsewhere. Deb, who is sitting in her office chair, ignores the cat’s behavior, faces Mika, and begins to speak. “Tell me Mika, what’s going on with Ike?” Mika again goes into the same speech that he said the night before. Deb gives some suggestions to aid in getting Ike to eat, including the NutriCal she had given to the Daschund puppies’ years ago. Deb shaking her head trying to grasp some understanding and problem solve the dog’s mysterious sudden disinterest in food. Ultimately, she advises that Cherbino take Ike to the vet. Cherbino rises, satisfied, he thanks Deb and walks out, his false sense of confidence and black-hearted intentions soon to be seen.
Snappy Cat hunkers into the warning position on the cream leather couch centered in the lobby. The cat hisses and spits while striking his front leg out with shocking quick reflexes. His ears flattened back on his head remaining there warning the intruder to keep going on his way. Deb looking back and realizes that Michala Cherbino has a negative effect on all creatures, great andsmall. They always greet the short man with an intense, guarded body posture.
December 30, 2015
Mika finally takes Deb’s advice and takes Ike to the already scheduled vet appointment at Dog and Cat Clinic to see Dr. Miller. Mika’s chief complaint, emaciated after boarding. Dr. Miller gives an injection as well as fluids to Ike. Mika ultimately carts Ike back to the clinic within 48 hours and Dr. Miller refers Cherbino and his dog to Blue Pearl.
January 7, 2016
He takes Ike to Blue Pearl where they perform a series of tests and procedures. The doctor concludes that Ike needs further treatment, testing and hospitalization. Cherbino refuses all three recommendations, the same as he has done to all the suggested treatments for Ike in the past. He says he will treat Ike at home.
January 8-11, 2016
Ike lays suffering, in the Cherbino residence, possible in the advanced stages of carcinoma or organ failure. The dog’s body is dying, but his heart wants to please his owner and live. Ike lays on the blue pillow like dog bed, not eating, not drinking, lethargy taking a stronger hold with each moment that passes. He lays in unbearable pain. On the 13th day Mika and Lidia look at Ike and take pictures and videos of their pet in this near death state.
January 12, 2016
The 14 days of torture finally end and Ike makes one final trip to the vet where he is humanely euthanized.
March 1, 2016
A certified letter arrives at the kennel addressed to Deb and she sees that it is from Michaela Cherbino and opens it immediately. She unfolds one of the trifold and her heart skips a beat as she sees it is on official military letterhead. She opens the other fold and begins to read. She looks away and scans her desk looking for her reading glasses, and rereads the letter again. Deb goes back over the line that had initially caught her eye. “If you give me $4000.00, I won’t take you to court. Deb, face red, without missing a beat decides, court it is, you lying snake.
2. Extortion letter on military letterhead:
Letter from Ike's owner
