12 | JULY 21 • 2022 

kneecaps are not where they should be, 
putting him in a permanent squat position 
where he can’t straighten his back legs. 
“Through videos and pictures NDLB sent 
me, he acted as if he didn’t even have a dis-
ability or suffer any pain from it,
” Ellias said. 
“He just seemed happy.
” 
That’s when Ellias realized it wasn’t about 
adopting a specific breed. 
“It was about being a really small part in a 
big movement.
”

COMING TO AMERICA 
After almost a year of waiting through the 
pandemic, Ichabod was set to fly from China 
to the United States. 
The organization kept Ellias updated 
throughout the adoption and travel process. 
They talked with Ellias about getting Ichabod 
to an orthopedic specialist to get his back 
legs fixed when he got to Michigan. 
But there was a chance that that he 
wouldn’t even make it to his new home. 
“The night before Ichabod flew, Beri called 
and said, ‘There’s a chance that the govern-
ment may fail him because of his disability. 
They didn’t see him as being physically fit.
’” 
Ellias says it was all a waiting game, and 
there was really nothing she or the organiza-
tion could do. 
“Before flying, the dogs had to wait in 
quarantine in China until they got the 
approval to leave the country.
”
Ellias says during this time, she had no 

idea what would happen. Thankfully, they let 
him through. 
“It was a process where we just went 
through it. We didn’t ask many questions. I 
just held my breath until I knew he was on 
the plane.
” 
After about four days of traveling on mul-
tiple airplanes, Ichabod arrived at JFK airport 
in New York, where Ellias met him for the 
first time. 
“It was surreal. I’ve been watching him 
through videos NDLB sent us from China 
while he was there,
” she said. “
And then here 
he was, right in front of me in the United 
States.
”
About 20 other dogs traveled alongside 
Ichabod. “I was seeing all these dogs arrive in 
the states free and safe, and all these people, 
including myself, joined together to adopt a 
dog, but it was bigger than that. We are part 
of a movement,
” she said. 

HOME SWEET HOME 
On Feb. 15, Ichabod finally made it to White 
Lake with his new family. 
“When we brought him home, it’s like he 
had been here forever. He instantly complet-
ed our six pack along with Ace, Ixy, Fanny, 
Zuri and Hoobly.
” 
Ellias says she knows nothing about 
Ichabod’s past history or trauma, but, she 
said, “He’s happy! With his personality and 
his disability, he has a zest for life that is con-
tagious and inspiring.
”
As Ichabod adjusted to his new home, 
Ellias worked with NDLB in getting his back 
legs fixed with surgery. However, after evalu-
ation from orthopedic specialists, they deter-
mined he wasn’t a surgical candidate. 
“He has mobility with his disability, and if 
we went through the surgery, there would be 
a risk of him completely losing his mobility,
” 
Ellias explained. 
To make sure he isn’t in any pain, Ichabod 
has a supplement regimen for joint and 
immune support and visits the veterinarian 
regularly. 
He also sees an integrative veterinarian for 
chiropractic adjustments about every four to 
six weeks.

MORE THAN JUST A DOG 
Ellias says Ichabod, even with his disability, is 
truly a role model for people.
“I just watch him as I take him out to pub-
lic places like Home Depot. He is so good 

continued from page 11

OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY

“ICHABOD 
TEACHES ME 
AND OTHERS 
HOW TO 
INTEGRATE WHAT 
WE’VE BEEN 
THROUGH INTO 
WHO WE ARE 
AND HOW TO 
CARRY IT WITH 
US, BUT THAT IT 
DOESN’T HAVE 

TO DEFINE US.”

— GAYLE ELLIAS

Ichabod greets students at 
Anderson Elementary.

