Nicki is gone

[K9soul]

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

[K9karen]

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

[dukedogsmom]

*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.

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.

[Catty1]

{{{{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."