“In days of old, when knights were bold and princesses were the stuff of romances….” We called you “Nikki”, but your AKC name was “The Golden Nickelodeon Princess” and as your personality blossomed it was only fitting that you have a royal name. And I most definitely loved you. All Golden Retrievers are good natured, but you were especially so and were always elegant, ladylike and benevolent.
You were so sweet and gentle, everyone who ever had contact with you seemed to fall in love with you. Your genteel benevolence really shined thru when after being the “Queen of the house” for almost 8 years, your baby sister Skippy joined us. You weren’t the least bit territorial but rather instantly shared your world with her, taking her under your wing & gently mothering her into being just as housebroken and part of the family as you were.
We went thru a lot together in almost 17 years together, girl – 5 moves, 3 jobs, 2 marriages, 1 divorce many good times & some not so good – but thru it all you were my faithful companion at my side right at my side celebrating my life’s “ups” and right there to give me comfort during its “downs.” But, time marches on and as you aged, the briskness left your walk, the gray hair filled your face, and eventually sleeping so deeply you couldn’t hear me come home at the end of the day. But, even as your age advanced and your health retreated, you always found a way to give me your love; leaning up against me or sleeping nearby, getting up every morning to send me off to work or always napping nearby me wherever I was in the house.
As your health continued failing you, despite the TLC and the many different medications we tried, it came time for your frail, earthly body to be turned in so your soul could go to heaven from whence you came. Though I didn’t want to be without your love and companionship, as that time approached, I prayed so very hard that the Good Lord would gently take His little angel home in her sleep. But alas, that prayer went unanswered and I had to make the decision no pet lover wants to make and have Dr. Kara send you home.
As I carried you into her clinic, I wanted so desperately to hear that there was something else we could do to buy you some more quality time…. Unfortunately, there were no more treatments, or cures that could help & the awful time had come. It was time to make the decision; the one I’d prayed so hard I would never have to make….
Later that day at Pet Traditions, it seemed so strange to see you lying there like you were just asleep…yet when stroking your head you didn’t open your eyes or raise your head I knew you were gone…. A sad calm of understanding came over your sister as she looked upon your body. So much sadness for Skippy & I & the rest of our family though undoubtedly somewhere above much rejoicing among the angels to have you back home among them.
But, life goes on. Through the tears of recent & the years to come, I am thankful for the many years of happy memories we had. And though there will be another big dog in our house sometime later when we’re ready, you’d be proud to know your sister Skippy will follow your example in teaching the new dog the ropes.
Goodbye, sweet princess, and thanks for the many happy years. We’ll all always carry your
loving memory in our hearts.
Bye, bye, Precious,
| Nikki |
| 8, May 2007 |
| David Norris |