Nicki is gone

I am so sorry for your loss, catnapper. Nicki was such a beautiful girl, we know you loved her. (((hugs))) to you! She is young and healthy again up at the RB. I hope Sassy is helping sweet Nicki learn the ropes up there.

Gentle hugs to you and your family.

Dear, sweet, loyal Nicki ~ You will never be forgotten.

Thank you everyone.

Its weird not having her here. She was such a part of my daily routine for so long that its going to take a long time to fill the void. I am SO GLAD I didn't yell at her for vomiting this morning. I just cleaned it up and asked her if she was ok. I'd be devastated to realize my last words to her were angry ones because she got sick. I'm so glad I simply cleaned it up and finished getting ready for work. I'm glad she passed with Cameron petting her. She LOVED that little boy. I swear he's the reason she held on as long as she did. He made her young. He made her happy.

Mom called me after to work to see how I was doing. She told me she took a nap after I told her this afternoon and dreamed that Grandmom was standing in heaven with all our past pets waiting for her. I had the same image in my head.

Yeah, silly me went back to work. Mainly because I didn't want to be home where everything reminded me of Nicki. I wanted to get over the shock first. I left work and went to random stores just to not go home. The mall closed at 6:00, as did almost everything else. hubby doesn't want to see a movie, so we came home.

And just yesterday I was looking to buy a new dog bed for Nicki but decided not to because I knew she'd pee on it the first night. I've known it was time for a few weeks now, I just couldn't do it because I felt I'd feel guilty wondering if I put her down too soon. Now she's free and spending time getting to see my Grandmom again. She's romping and frolicking the way she used to. and I'll see her again someday.

Actually, I fully believe she'll come back to me in some other form some day. Perhaps as another dog, maybe a cat, or perhaps a human next time. But I do believe we'll love each other again in this lifetime.

I am so sorry about your loss. Nicki was special. and I was lucky enough to have been able to love her too.


{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

So very sorry for your loss. One day soon my Sasha will join her and they can have a grand time together. Hugs for you.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the passing of a beautiful soul. Have fun at the bridge, dearest Nicki.

:( I'm so sorry you lost your Nicki. Her work here was finally done and she knows you'll all be OK. I've never stopped talking, thinking and dreaming about my Cody.You won't either. May your beautiful memories of Nicki help you during your sad time. Hugs

*sob* I'm just now seeing this :( I've loved Nicki from the first time I saw her. She stole my heart from the very beginning. I'm really at a loss for words. If you need to talk, please pm me. I know the hurt and emptiness that seems it will never go away. My heart is breaking, as well. I've lit a candle for her:
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...ng&cid=6288925

Rest peacefully, Nicki. Let your family know that you're still with them somehow. We will all meet again one day. Until then, know that you're deeply missed.
http://www.boomspeed.com/dukedogsmom/nicki.jpg

If someone hasn't created an RB sig for you by tomorrow evening, I'd like to make one. I'm at work right now and can't.

{{{{hugs}}}}

This story is worth repeating:

by Robin Downing, DVM

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owner, his wife, and their little boy were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, the owners told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old boy to observe the procedure. They felt he could learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. The little boy seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

The little boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year- old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Oh Catnapper... I am so sorry :( It must be so hard for you.

On another note we do have to get the little ones together soon.

Again I am so sorry and I am always here if you want to talk.

My sympathies to you.
May sweet Miss Nicki play happily at Rainbow Bridge.

Oh, Kim, I am so sorry. :(

Rest in Peace sweet Nicki.

Thanks again. I can not tell you how odd it is without her. It was so quiet here last night. Nicki made a lot of noises at night. She made a grunty sigh in connection with things hubby would say. It was almost like she was commenting on his stupid statements, like she was saying "oh good grief!" Last night, hubby and I were talking and he said something that made my eyes roll, and I swear I heard HER grunty sigh coming from HER spot. I even looked - there wasn't anything that could have made the noise. No cats, no Callie. Just an empty spot on the floor.

LES...

Thanks for posting the picture of Nicki, Val...I don't think I've ever met her before and I was about to go searching so I could see her to truly say goodbye. She sure was a magnificent looking dog. I am so sorry for your loss. The story about the phantom grunt last night made me laugh but that's what got the eyes watering...oh, and Candace's story about the little boy.

RIP sweet Nicki....go find Stryker, Sydney, Max and Thai at Rainbow bridge. They will show you how to get in all sorts of trouble :)

Edit: I still did go searching and found the post when you brought Callie home as a friend to Nicki. Now I remember all about her and again, I am so sorry!

Rest easy Princess Nicki :(. Kim, Nicki was also one of my favourite PT dogs, she will be sorely missed :(.

RIP sweetheart.