Bettina,
My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of Niko. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Bettina,
My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of Niko. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Luv,
Lynne and Angel Lady 7/98-3/09 Forever in my heart
Bettina, I am sorry you had to go through this, but you did it in the perfect way at the perfect time.I know you will miss Niko terribly but am sure you have so many wonderful memories that will comfort you later on. I will be thinking of you. Sharon
Bettina,
I am so sorry for your loss. I too had to make that decision with a prior dog. I know how painful that is. You did what was right; you did what was best.
My thoughts are with you.
-Susan
Bettina,
I am so sorry to hear of Niko's passing. I've just been going back through your threads here to remind myself of your journey together. I too know the devotion involved in caring for a dog that can't be left alone because of multiple health issues.
Please take good care of yourself at this time and come back to let us know how you're making out with this new stage in your life.
Hugs,
Jo-Ann & Lady
Bettina,
I am sorry for your loss. I remember Niko's story and I know you did all you could for him.
Christy
Bettina,
Sorry to hear of Niko's passing. The prayer you posted in one that I have on my fridge when we lost our beloved Calvin (in 2003 of pancreatic cancer) I read it everyday. Losing a beloved member of our family is extremely difficult but as the tears fade the memories and laughter will return. Niko will no doubt be smiling down on you.
Hugs always,
Heather and Zoe Claire
Bettina,
I am sorry I am getting to this so late, but I wanted to add my deepest sympathy on the loss of Niko. I understand the pain, and I send my sincerest wishes that you will find peace soon in knowing you provided the best in love and care.
Hugs, Beth, Bailey and always Scooter
Basset hounds are like potato chips, you can't have just one!
I am so sorry to hear the news about Niko. We never have enough time with them but how very blessed you were to have had 16 1/2 years together.
Rest in peace Niko. You will have lots of good company at the Bridge. Mine is the one with the big stick in her mouth.
"So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart."
Lyn
Lyn and Lucy (aka Boston Retriever 1/97-1/09)
Thanks to everyone for all the support during my time here. I hope I can return the favor for some other cush pup moms and dads. Here is the tribute I put together for my boy.
*********
16 years ago, my mom picked me up after school and we drove to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter to see if the little 4 month old male dog I had fallen in love with 6 days prior (#02000) was still available. At the shelter, I ran to his cage and he was gone. Heartbroken I looked around and located him in another cage. There was a sign that read 'adopted - hold until 4:00'. I couldn't help but begin to cry. How could it be that this little boy - so certain he was my soul mate - had been adopted. It just wasn't right. My mom then handed me the leash and said 'he's yours'. She had stopped at the shelter in the morning and adopted him for me.
Niko was the first dog that picked me right back. We were bonded from the beginning. He was a very emotionally intuitive dog. He knew when I was sad, mad, happy, without me even showing any signs of it. When I would cry, he would come over and nudge me to stop. When I was angry, he'd put a paw on me and try to divert my attention to his eyes. If I roughhoused with a friend, he would jump in to 'protect' me. He 'spoke' to me all the time.
He was a smart boy too... he learned tricks with just minutes of training. He could sit, lay down, shake, play dead, crawl, and beg. He loved his walks, he loved to sniff, and he loved to swim. He loved to race me up from the barn. He loved to play tug of war. He just loved life.
When Niko's health issues got hard to handle in 2008 (cushings, followed by lymphoma a few months later), the least I could do was care for him as he always cared for me. We got another year and a quarter after the cushings dx. He enjoyed walking a mile plus every evening until 6 days before he passed. I will miss that so much.... among many other things.
I'm thankful I got to spend over 16 years loving such an amazing being. However, it wasn't enough. You cannot put a time limit on love like that. While I'm sure I will love other dogs in my lifetime, I know there will never be another Niko. He was my heart dog. He was.... my heart.
Niko touched a lot of lives. The response to his death has been overwhelming and heartwarming. To know him, was to know how special he was. Below you will find a link to a gallery I put together of some pictures over the years. I also have a link to some video clips I uploaded, followed by a poem I wrote for him and donation info if interested.
Gallery: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...localeid=en_US
Videos:
Niko Sneeze July 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1HD4cmZ3zY
Walking on a Windy Feb day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FPiwwk_ovU
Snow in 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYv4-iZGxqQ
Camera Schniff in 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rB80r8zK_8
Niko Bark 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcv8aWOI6Ow
Niko following me 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDe8qihOPg8
Niko's muse 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vy_nZBGOA
Happy Boy Feb 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzdB6gcOVUo and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3bvtjjfTEU
It hurts to be the one
That had to make the choice
Your life rested in my hands
I had to be your voice
I hope you will forgive me
I had to sever the tie
I knew you wouldn’t leave me
You would never say goodbye
Our bond will never be broken
I told you many times
Even though you’re gone
Your light forever shines
Until we are together again
I will miss you so much my friend
I know I will go on for now
Until my days here come to an end
And when I leave this earth
I have you to look forward to
I will again get to embrace
My love that is so true
I made a donation in Niko's honor to the Magic Bullet Fund. It helps people that could other wise not afford to pay for their dog's chemo treatments. http://www.themagicbulletfund.org/
Bettina
Bettina,
Thank you so much for posting all the wonderful photos and video of Niko. I really enjoyed them. And what a beautiful, beautiful boy he was; and what a great life he had with you! I'm so sorry for your loss..I know it's a huge one.
Take care,
Gina and Lucy