Golden Nike Nike, my beloved little doe, my sweet pea, We were so lucky to have her in our lives, she brought us endless joy. She came into our lives in July of 1996, rescued from the shelter. Our son had begged for a dog for quite some time, and we finally said yes. She was to be one of his gifts for his Bar Mitzvah. Nike was a gift to everyone, the sweetest fur baby imaginable. She was so shy and skittish when she first came to live with us, and never got over that completely. Slowly, but surely, we gained her trust and her love, and words cannot describe how I loved her in return. I never thought I had the capacity to love so deeply and unconditionally, and I never imagined the endless supply of tears I would have when I lost her. Precious Nike, I always saw your little face waiting for me at the window, and I could hear your little cries of delight each day when I returned from my outings. You would dance for me as I entered the house, and eagerly await your treats. You were my little shadow, Whenever I left the room, you would follow. I miss you checking on on me, I desperately miss hugging and kissing you, especially in the little grooves above your eyes, that were made just for that! I told you I loved you every day of your life, and every day I loved you more and more if that was possible. I used to get on the floor and hold your warm body close to mine, and if I moved away an inch, you would move closer. I remember when you had surgery 3 years ago, and I nursed you for weeks. You could hardly get up from your bed, but you managed to come over to my side of the bed to get a neck rub. I knew you would be OK then, you were telling me that. You loved to take walks, not long ones, but you enjoyed being outside and walking to the mailbox. You had such a cute little sway, your would swing your hips, and it was adorable. I remember when we first brought you home, we baked some potatoes, and left them on the counter with a loaf of french bread, and some doughnuts for breakfast. When we came home that evening, everything was gone. We could not believe that you had reached that far back onto the counter to get what you wanted! We learned how clever you were very quickly! You never liked getting a bath, but you were so cute in the tub, and wrapped in your towel, that we could not resist getting photos of you, despite your concern. I vowed that I would never board you when we traveled, and weren't we lucky to have Sheri for a neighbor, she always took you into her house and bed while we were away. When the luggage came out, you looked distressed, but I would tell you that you were going to stay with Casey, and then you would wag your tail. We have so many photos of you with Casey, who misses you now. My house and my life feel so empty without you Nike. You were a beautiful golden princess who looked like a baby deer. My little doe is gone, and I am so terribly lonely without you. On our last day together, I looked into your big brown trusting eyes, and begged you to come visit me. I will need you until my last day on earth, and I pray you are making lots of new friends at the Rainbow Bridge. God bless you Nike, little Greek goddess of Victory, You are SO LOVED. Your Mommy Memories & Lessons Memories, the fabric of our souls.. Nike left me a patchwork quilt of memories, and each square, each stitch, wraps itself around me to ensure me that her presence will always be a part of my life. Four weeks ago today, we said goodbye, only four agonizing weeks ago! As our eyes locked before she left this world, I begged her to come visit me. My darling sweet pumpkin, my beloved Nike who was my world. The quilt of love she left me is full of memories, and full of lessons, from a little girl who came into our lives so unexpectedly. When we adopted her from the shelter, she was painfully shy, and afraid of most people and loud noises. She learned to trust my son and me slowly but surely, but it was a long process. She taught us about loyalty that comes with trust, and how she taught us to love! Nike was pure goodness, as goldens are, and in each of you here that has reached out to help others with their pain, I sense Nike. In hearing your stories of your beloved fur babies, I remember something Nike brought into my life, in seeing your photos, I see Nike. The quilt of memories and lessons that was Nike's legacy will forever keep me warm until we are wrapped in it together one day at the Rainbow bridge. God, I miss you baby girl. The tears have not stopped, and I cannot imagine that they will. As I told you each day my sweet girl, I'll be back, don't worry, I will come back to you.....now you want me to understand that is your promise to me as well. Until we meet again, Love, Your Mom Through A Fur Baby's Eyes After participating in the beautiful candle lighting service last night, I starting thinking about the poignant words Ed shared with us. If we could only see and experience things like our furry children did, perhaps we would feel so much closer to them and the world we walk in as well. Seeing the world through my beloved Nike's eyes... Starting tomorrow,.I would learn to trust people more, give them a chance to show their inner selves. I would try and be a better listener, and concentrate on eye contact with strangers and friends. I would get over things quickly that are bothering me, fur babies never stay upset for long. I would appreciate the coolness of water quenching my thirst, and the pleasure of food sating my appetite. Oh, and how I would delight in little treats, dessert or a tasty appetizer. I could also learn to adjust to time alone, as well as time with commotion, both can be opportunities for observation and introspection. Just like Nike checked on me whenever I was out of her sight for too long, I could be more attentive to others. She asked so little in life, a bed, clean water, food, a few walks each day, and last but not least to be loved. That was the easiest thing to do, to love a golden is to open up a compartment of one's soul that has been reserved just for this. To love a golden is to leave oneself so vulnerable,so that every breath your beloved takes, keeps you sane and grounded. I have learned so much from my little furry doe, I never knew I had the capacity to love another so completely. I never knew I had an endless supply of tears to mourn her leaving me. As intense as this pain as been, as empty as my days continue to be, I have still mustered up the strength each day to thank her, and God for the pure bliss I had those 12 years. If I could remind myself each day to see the world through her beautiful brown loving eyes, then perhaps the process of healing that eludes me could begin. I miss you Nike girl, thank you thank you thank you, for letting me love such a precious soul as yours. Your Mommy