Nikki

My parents' dog, Nikki, died yesterday. I'm still very sad. K and I were there almost 10 years ago when Dad brought her home, just a little fuzz ball of energy with way too large paws. His third Alaskan Malamute, a tradition dating back my entire life. These are wonderful family dogs if you've got the energy and the will to keep them in line. Nikki kept Dad company as Mom went back to school several years ago and, while working at the same time, spent many nights in a row up in her office working on her dissertation. When I would come home for a visit, she was always there waiting for me at the door. Her purpose seemed to be to get as much of her long hair all over my clothes as possible, mixed in with a little slobber and drool, and to dig her too-long toenails into my arms, but there was a boundless amount of love there for anybody who wanted it. And she's gone. There is a hole in my heart today that will be hard to fill.

I'll dig out some pictures and post them later if you're curious.