Nina... Always

 Characters: 
Kim: The Girl.
Nina: The jack russell. Her photo here shows her a few weeks prior to this post. And hopefully the blog host will not remove her picture again. 
Carrie Bradshaw: Bichon/poodle mix. The jack russell's best "fluffy" friend."

Setting: Early hours of January 9

Nina: (in Kim's arms... tired) Fluffy....

Carrie Bradshaw: (softly) Yes... 

Nina: You're gonna have to take care of the Girl now.

Carrie Bradshaw: (softly) Ok.

Carrie Licks Nina's face.

Nina: (quietly) Thanks. (beat) I'll miss you.

Carrie Bradshaw: Won't we see each other again? (places head next to Nina)

Nina: Someday.


Carrie Bradshaw: You're my smart friend.


Nina: It'll be awhile before we see each other... but...(cough) I'll tell you what... later today... when the sun comes up... (cough) look up. I'll look at the sunrise too, ok?


Carrie Bradshaw: (softly) Ok.


Nina: I'll just be looking at it from the other side. Then we can both be looking at the whole sunrise.


Carrie Bradshaw: (barely audible) Ok.


Nina: Promise you'll look?


Carrie Bradshaw: I promise.


Nina: (to Kim) I did it. I made it to my 17th birthday.


Kim: Yes. Yes you did.


Nina: Thanks Girl. Thanks for... (cough)


Kim: Thank you, Nina. I love you. I'm here.


Carrie Bradshaw: Me too.


Nina: (deep breath) I'm gonna close my eyes now... just for a bit.... will you still hold me?


Kim: Always....
Fade....
At 3:50 that morning, January 9, 2014... on her 17th birthday,... I lost my Nina. While not unexpected, it was sudden. There was a brief period where I thought she was hangin' in there, but her little body was tired. She was in my arms the whole time. Her heart was the last to stop. She had an "enlarged heart," so I will always believe her heart was just too big. She went on her terms, when she decided it was her time. Here's to loving, loyal dogs... everywhere.

©2014


*Please refer to the introduction post in this blog for explanation and inspiration behind this blog. Basically, as Nina gets older, she develops various medical problems; the more carefully I listen to what she tries to tell me, the more I can explain to the vet what is happening. Of course, this would carry over to any medical situation. And Carrie Bradshaw simply goes by her full name.