Day 120

9/11/22

Nicky came late to the game, but he sure knew how to play!

We had met this small, white spitfire when his leash got tangled up with Arthur’s, sending Mac rolling down a hill toward the river! We untangled, laughed and all became fast friends. It turned out that Nicky’s owner, Mama Kay, even belonged to our church!

Having formed this new bond, I would stop to greet Mama Kay and Nicky in the park when our paths would meet. Arthur and Nicky became best buddies and, as it turned out, Kay had even worked for my dad at the Dairy Queen back in the day. We had a lot in common and many stories to share.

As the months went on, I noticed Kay had added a new partner to her walks with Nicky. She now needed oxygen and would roll R2D2 (our nickname for the machine) behind her on these strolls. When the weather turned bitterly cold, the “three” of them would still be out there…walking beside the river!

One day, Kay called me and asked if I could take Nicky out for his walk since R2D2 was not working so well in the cold and snow. I had been concerned about her walking in the cold and snow, so I readily agreed and headed up to the 9th floor of Bridge Square to gather up the little guy. Kay had his coat and halter on, so I picked him up, rode down the elevator and headed for the park.

This boy was so much fun, but he was stubborn and wanted things HIS WAY! If he got tired or his little feet would start to get cold, he would stand on his hind legs and paw my own…wanting to be picked up. I soon found out that a 30-pound shih-tzu is an armful in the dead of winter. I would often open my coat, tuck his shaking body inside and head for the building. Needless to say, we bonded and soon were the best of pals.

Within the year, Kay had hospital stays, doctor’s appointments and “Nicky Needs” as he was turning 12. We stepped up and became closer to Kay in many ways. She was such a brave, wonderful woman! Mac and I were in Texas when we got a frantic call from this sweet lady. She was going into Hospice and nobody would take her boy. The family planned to put Nicky down! Not on my watch! I told her that we would take him, and Mac agreed.

Nicky would go to visit Kay at her Hospice residence, always happy to see her, but keeping one eye on me every moment. If I looked like I was about to leave, he would almost jump into my arms. Kay could have felt bad about this, but she was so happy her little guy had found a good home. She was so strong.

Before she passed, I had Nicky groomed and brought the excess fur to her in a zip-lock bag. She loved that fur and would keep it close at all times…in fact, she had that fur cremated with her when it was her time.

We were asked to bring Nicky to the funeral, so I combed him, put a bowtie on his collar and headed to the church. As we entered the building, we were taken aback by the pictures displayed by her urn. They were beautiful photos of “our” boy with his certificate of Therapy Dog (I made sure that he tested so Kay would know his future.) front and center! It was humbling.

Mac and I sat in the very back with the little guy. After the service, the guests started to file out from the front first. EVERY SINGLE PERSON stopped to pet that dog! They had stories, tears and so much love to share. We held that line up for the longest time, but nobody seemed to care.

Nicky joined his beloved Kay, and Arthur too, a few years ago. I miss that little guy every day. We had him for about four years…years of therapy dog work, swimming in the lake, walks by his river and much love.

He was a character. He holds a piece of my heart. I miss him.