Nikki, October 15, 2007-October 15, 2021. Our oldest dog passed on to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. She lived to be exactly 14 years old. She had a stroke last week. We were hoping that she would rally and have a few more months with us, but it was not to be. Yesterday, the day she passed, was her birthday. She got to spend a few hours on her last two days in the pasture with the other dogs, enjoying the sunshine and nice weather. She spent Friday afternoon on my lap where she passed away while I was holding her and surrounded by the rest of the family.

Nikki came to us through Northeast Ohio Shetland Sheepdog Rescue. We were her foster family until we adopted her. She was nearly five years old. Her original owner was in the hospital and no longer able to care for her three dogs. Nikki was the only sheltie of the three so came to our rescue. At the drop off, I was told that Nikki had been abused by some young boys earlier in her life. She was spunky and happy all the time that I knew her, although she did have one slightly deformed back foot. It didn’t slow her down though. She went on walks with us until a couple years ago. Her feisty personality caused me to call her Miss Nikki Pouncer Pants. That and her fluffy butt.

Nikki loved to visit her friends at a local nursing home and did so right up until Covid stopped us from going. As soon as we passed through the facility’s door, Nikki made a bee-line for the couch in the lobby and hopped up. Residents soon swarmed around and they all wanted to sit by Nikki and pet her. She was happy to oblige. Here she is visiting with our friend, Bob, who was always up for some conversation and having Nikki by his side. She brought joy to many and was greeted with a smile wherever she went.

Nikki was also a veteran at working public events to spread the word about shelties in rescue. She volunteered with me at many an event promoting our rescue group. She was also a frequent attendee of our group’s business meetings. She would sit on the couch near me and bask in the attention she got from other members.

Nikki was tolerant of all animals. She saw quite a few foster dogs come and go over the years. She was equally unaffected by the cats that entered the household and became family too. Nikki loved to go out to the pasture with “the big dogs” and would jump up and run to the door, out onto the porch, and down the driveway until they all ran through the gate to the pasture. She was still doing this just last week. You had to get her attention by waving your arm because she couldn’t hear you, but she still wanted to go. Nikki was considerably smaller than our other dogs. She only weighed 20 lbs. We used to joke that we were afraid that some of the large birds of prey would swoop down and get her. She was never outside without her larger pack members, ranging in size from larger shelties to greyhounds, so she was fine.

Nikki was an easy dog to have around. She never caused any trouble. Even in her last week of failing health, she never had one accident in the house. In her early days with us, she liked to do what we called “the bicycle.” If you motioned at her with your index finger, she would sit up on her back legs and move her two front legs in a circular motion like she was pedaling a bicycle. This was her version of play fighting and she thought she was tough. She was so cute that we let her think so.

She was a favorite of the young and old alike. Not only did she do nursing home visits, she often went along to visit my nieces. My older niece would hold Nikki’s leash on walks from the age of three. When I came through the door, the first words I heard were “Did you bring Nikki?” If I answered no, I was meet with “awww.” I didn’t blame them. Nikki was cute!

We have five other dogs, but without Nikki’s presence, the house feels empty. She was a good little dog and we miss her. My last words to her were “Momma loves you.” Truer words were never spoken. Until we meet again my little one.