09/22/2023
Good afternoon,
Myself and our staff would like to share the special privilege we have had of caring for IKAR1, a retired military dog, and his family since reuniting in 2021. We are now in planning for his passing. His family has shared his story with us as you will find below.
Please take note that his funeral details may change if we have to proceed with his humane euthanasia sooner than planned if we feel this is in his best interests. We will update the page if this happens. Please help us honor this hero in a way he deserves. All are welcome to gather in our parking lot anytime after 9 am Sunday morning if not joining the motorcade.
Thank you,
Dr. Newcomb
IKAR1 is a retired military working dog who spent the first 11 years of his life in the Army. His first handler, former SGT Ralph (Zac) White were separated after their first deployment to Afghanistan. The pair spent 9 years apart before finally being reunited in 2021 when Ralph and his wife found IKAR and brought him home from Texas. IKAR has completed three deployments to Afghanistan, one to Egypt, and countless other smaller deployments as a tactical explosives detection dog and as a Military Police K9. The number of lives he saved in his time of service is unimaginable. He has spent his final years, in retirement, with his dad, mom and human siblings, being spoiled rotten with all the tennis balls and cuddles he could ever wish for.
On Sunday morning, September 24th, his mom and dad have organized one final ride for IKAR. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! We hope that people will find it in their hearts to join them in giving IKAR the final send off he deserves. They will be meeting at Walmart, in Pekin, at 9am and departing promptly at 9:20am. They will then motorcade all the way down Court St, cut over to Broadway and drive all the way back up to Rescued Heart. They are due to arrive at Rescued Heart at 10am. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come and stay outside to pay their respects to this American Hero. Ralph has requested the only people to be inside of the clinic be he and his wife and the bare minimum staff needed. We want to make this as peaceful as possible for IKAR.
Once IKAR has passed, they will again motorcade him to the Veteran’s Memorial on 8th St, where a two man funeral detail will perform IKAR’s last rites. Taps will be played and they will present Ralph with IKAR’s flag. Again, the family has opened this entire process to anyone that would like to attend.
