(Nika 2000 – October 2017)

As we close this year, I sadly share the passing of my precious Nika.  It is difficult watching your best friend grow old.  You know that day is coming, but when they are actually gone, the silent void is felt and I don’t think it ever goes away.

I have been putting off writing about Nika’s passing because it is painful and I miss her strong presence so much.  Writing about it makes it real and that hurts.   She was a big part of my life for sixteen years.  As I told her many times, adopting her was the best decision I ever made.

Nika was about 17 years old and she did very well for her age.  She had been slowing down and losing strength in her back legs during the last year, but she was strong willed and kept on.  She enjoyed eating until a week before she passed, then she stopped.  Then she stopped drinking.  My other dogs were very gentle and would lay around her, while kissing her face.  They knew she was preparing to leave and so did I.  I told her how much I loved her and she helped so many dogs during her life.  As she lay peacefully, I told her she could let go, she did not need to protect us anymore – just let go.  And, she did.  Nika died peacefully and on her own terms.

When I think of Nika, all the good times we had together come to mind – the early morning hikes and walks, the visits to the dog park, the dogs we fostered.  I think of the positive impact she had on my life and the lives of so many homeless dogs.  Although she is no longer here physically, she is always in my heart.

I never like to say goodbye, so I will say….Until we hike again, I will be missing you my best friend.

 

5.17.17

Sometimes dogs are a lot wiser than we can even imagine.  Willie is a very wise dog indeed.  This timid, hairless, malnourished stray found a safe haven on the doorstep of one of our animal angels.  The angel opened her door one day and found this little guy sitting on her doorstep.  Willie had no I.D. tag or microchip and nobody ever came looking for him.  The angel took him under her wing, loved and cared for him and brought him back to good health.  We are looking for a very special home for him while his guardian angel continues fostering him.

The vet says Willie is about 4-5 years old.  He is neutered and current on his vaccines.  He is a Chiahuahua mixed with some Greyhound possibly.  He is a very sweet dog who bonds quickly and does well with other dogs.  We would like him to find a forever home where he can be with his person a good portion of the time, whether they are retired or work from home – that would be the ideal situation for him.  He only weighs about 10 pounds, so you can take him anywhere!

We do not have a “before” photo….this is his “after” photo.

5.14.17

Every day is Dog Mom’s Day at the Nika Animal Network!

Some think a mom is only one with human children.  We know that is not true.  So, we extend a special thank you to all the wonderful moms who have given a homeless, abandoned and neglected animal a loving home because you a mom and mother, too.

5.2.2017

It is important to check your dog or cats Microchip.  Just because you are told your dog or cat has a chip and the number is listed on your paperwork, please do not assume it is there or active because sometimes things happen.  We were told our foster dog, Mystery, was given a Microchip before she left the shelter.  In fact, the number is listed on her paperwork.  But, when we took her to the vet we checked and there was no chip.  Sometimes chips move around, so we checked all of her back and arms, still no chip.  Mystery now has a Microchip!  If you are not familiar with how Microchips work, it is helpful to watch a scanner used and actually see the chip number come up.   Then, compare it with the chip number on your paperwork to make sure it matches.  Microchips do not guarantee our pets will be found if they are lost, but they can really help. We have come across dogs with two and three chips.  Thankfully, it has not happened often but it is a story for another day….

4.21.17

We’re calling her Mystery…this is the first photo she let us take.

This beautiful and very shy female Spaniel mix lived in a hoarding situation with many other animals. She was taken to the shelter with all the other dogs and cats, all of whom have been adopted, yet Mystery waited for almost a month with no forever home in sight.  Dogs from hoarding cases are often very shy because of neglect and no socialization.  It can be difficult for people to connect with an extremely shy dog in a shelter environment, so they simply move on to the next dog.  When we met Mystery, we saw her potential and need for help.  She is currently in our foster program and we are working on getting her socialized so she can be adopted to a very special home soon.  She has been treated and recovered well from an upper respiratory and ear infection.  She will be getting spayed soon. We will keep you posted on her progress….