Carrie Misses Nina... And It's Sinking In

Carrie Bradshaw sits out in the sun. Kim watches as Carrie goes over to Nina's bed which has been placed (for now) on he patio. Carrie sniffs the bed then lays down on it, ears low.

Kim: (softly) It's sinking in with you now, isn't it?
Carrie Bradshaw: She's not coming back, is she?
Kim shakes her head...
Carrie Bradshaw: When we moved to an island, you and I went there first. Then you went back and got Nina and brought her home for us six weeks later. And when we cam back to California, we all came together. And every time you had to take her to the real vet- the one here-if you left her there for a while, you always went back and got her. You brought her back. (beat) You can't bring her back?
Kim shakes her head...
Carrie Bradshaw: Oh. (puts her head down, still on Nina's bed)
Kim: You've been playing with your toys a lot lately. We've been on some good morning runs. It didn't occur to me that you had always figured she was coming back. I thought if it hit you, it would happen right away. I didn't realize it might be a delayed reaction. (goes to Carrie; softly) I'm sorry.I'll try and listen better. (hugs Carrie)
Carrie Bradshaw: She was my smart friend. She taught me stuff.
Kim: She taught me stuff too.
Carrie Bradshaw: You're writing about this now, in your head, aren't you?
Kim smiles...
Carrie Bradshaw: Maybe it can be about the stuff I know now.
Kim: (laughs softly) That's not a blog. That's a short story. (beat) I think I heard Nina's voice the other day.
Carrie Bradshaw: Great. Now you're hearing voices.
Kim: She told me to take care of you.
Carrie Bradshaw: (looks at Kim) She told me to take care of YOU.
Kim: Looks like we have a plan.

Fade...

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.

How'd I get dragged into this?

Setting: Family meeting.

Family/ Characters:

Kim: The Girl.
Nina:  Jack russell. 17 years old. Tomorrow officially. Going through kidney failure and really annoyed about it.
Carrie Bradshaw: 6 and a half year old bichon poodle mutt. "Fluffy" at heart.

Carrie Bradshaw: (busy destuffing a toy) What's this all about?

Kim: Well, the vet called to check on Nina.

Nina: (perturbed) How'd HE get our number?

Kim: He's very conscientious. I let him know the sub-q fluids and "pepcid" shot had helped you, and that you seemed more comfortable since. I asked how often that would work or would he recommend since it's not a long term fix and it's only a "band-aid" of sorts.

Nina: (ruffled) It's not my time!

Carrie Bradshaw: (pauses in her destuffing task) Ugh.

Kim: Now look, I also told him you wake me up nightly to go out- usually a few times.

Nina: (muttering) Stupid kidneys.

Kim: (dryly) Now if you plan on outliving us all, there are going to be a few changes made around here.

Nina: I'm not sure I'm gonna like this.

Carrie Bradshaw: You be quiet.

Nina: What THE--??

Kim: The main change is that there will be two walks a day. One with the both of you. Nina, you will continue to ride in the doggie back pack as normal since you can't really walk anymore. Well you can, but the "walks" are too much for you. That will continue to be our morning routine. But the second walk in the evening will be just Carrie Bradshaw and me.

Carrie Bradshaw: How'd I get dragged into this??

Nina: Fine by me! I hate bouncing around in that stupid bag. It's nice to be included and I feel loved and all, and the fresh air is nice too, but two a day would be too hard on me. I vote in favor of this new development.

Kim: I know bouncing around is hard on you, so you'll stay home for the later walk. Carrie needs the faster walk and a good run. She has a lot of energy and needs that. The slower walk we take with you is not really enough for Carrie Bradshaw. So she and I will do the second walk just the two of us. Only because we can't go faster in the morning when you're with us.

Carrie Bradshaw: (glaring at Nina) NOW see what you've done??

Nina: (stalks off) Fine by me. Told you. It's not my time.

Carrie Bradshaw: (looks to Kim) How much longer did the vet say this could drag out?

Kim:As long as Nina is not suffering and seems comfortable, the vet said she could go on another several months. And tomorrow is her birthday. She'll be 17. Officially. So be nice.

Carrie Bradshaw: (begins to once again shred the toy) ?!#@!

Fade as Nina settles onto dog bed muttering....

Nina: Told them... it's not my time.... happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me...



©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.

Saturday

Setting: Saturday The beach.
Characters:


Kim: The Girl
Nina: 17 year old jack russell. Well, almost 17. Close enough.

Carrie Bradshaw: 6 year old mutt. Fluffy. Chronically.

The three are sitting on a shady patch of grass, people watching.

Kim: December and 80 degrees. Ah, southern California... I'm glad we came out here today.

Nina: (ears perked) Me too. (sniffs air) Ooh! Salty!

Carrie Bradshaw: WOOF!

Nina and Kim: (startled) WHAT THE--??

Carrie Bradshaw: German Shepard alert. 1:00. To your right.

Kim: Can it "fluffy!" Other dogs are allowed to walk by. Besides, today is about being together.

Nina: (clumsily settling into Kim's arms) Yeah Fluffy. I don't exactly have a lot of time.

Kim: (softly) You know, don't you old girl? (kisses the top of Nina's head)

Nina: I suspected. It's my kidneys. I know.

Kim: I'll take every minute I can get.

The three look out to the sand....

Nina: (looks up to Kim) It's still not my time though. I do have some time left you know.

Kim: You've always let me know when you needed something. I suspect you'll tell me when you're ready.

Carrie Bradshaw: Ready for what?

Nina and Kim: Nothing.

Kim: (kisses the top of Nina's head again) You have remarkable instincts. You've always been there when I needed something. I intend to return the favor.

Nina: Is that why you put down a towel under my water bowl at home? 'Cause I kept slipping on the tile when I'd try and drink water?

Carrie Bradshaw: (disdainful) Your back legs aren't what they used to be.

Kim: (to Nina) That's exactly why I put the towel under your water bowl. You were starting to slip when you'd stand still drinking water. Your face would end up IN the bowl. Now you don't slip. Same reason I put a little rug down in the kitchen for you to sit on when you eat. And I noticed you have trouble picking food up lately off your plate. So that's why I've been lifting it to your mouth so you can eat out of my palm. I can tell you're hungry, but you get frustrated because it hurts to bend down and pick it up.

Carrie Bradshaw: (thoughtfully) And then there are the numerous trips outside at 2:00AM and 3:00AM and 4:00AM. Stupid kidneys.

Kim: Carrie Bradshaw, you'll be old some day, too.

Carrie Bradshaw: (dryly) How dare you.

Nina: (to Carrie) See here Fluffy, I know the Girl will take care of you too when YOU need her to.

Carrie Bradshaw: (thinks about this a moment; beat) Ok.

The three sit and look out again....

Nina: (sitting in Kim's lap) Thanks for bringing us to the beach today. It was nice to get out. I know it hasn't been easy lately.

Kim: (softly) I wish I could be perfect just for you.

Nina: (sighs) You're perfect enough.

Carrie Bradshaw: (beat) Yeah. Ok.

Fade as the three continue to people watch...

©2013

*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.

Nina

Setting: Nina snoozing.

Characters: 

Kim: The Girl.

Nina: Jack russell. 17 years old.

Carrie Bradshaw: Bichon frise/poodle. 6 years old. Fluffy at heart.

Nina is sleeping. She's just finished her dinner a short while ago and has decided it's time for a nap. Carrie Bradshaw and Kin are close by, watching the old jack russell snooze.

Carrie Bradshaw: What did the vet say?

Kim: It's her kidneys. We're probably getting close to... "that" time.

Carrie Bradshaw: "That" time?

Kim nods...

Carrie Bradshaw: Oh.

They stare in silence a moment longer... Carrie Bradshaw puts her head on Kim's lap...

Carrie Bradshaw: But we have some time, right?  A little? To make special?

Kim: Yes. A little. Maybe a month. Two if we're lucky.

Carrie Bradshaw: But you'll let her decide when it's really time, right? I mean, you won't rush her, right?

Kim: No, I promise. I won't rush her. Right now she's comfortable. And happy. She'll let us know.

Carrie Bradshaw: (softly) 'K. (quietly) She's my best friend. She was my first friend. (nuzzles Nina)

Nina awakens with a start-

Nina:  WHAT the-?? Tripe unicorns named Glossy- what??

Nina looks around...

Nina: Oh. (stretches a little) Got any snacks?

Carrie Bradshaw: (hopeful) That's a good sign, right?

Kim smiles and gets a snack for her two furry best friends and looks at them... with love.


©2013

*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.

Deck the Halls

Setting: In front of the Christmas tree

Characters:
Nina: Jack russell. Still 16, going on 17 come early January.
Carrie Bradshaw:  Mainly mixed mutt. Still "fluffy." Especially at heart. Somewhere in the vicinity of six years old.
Kim:The Girl.



Kim fidgeting with some ornaments on the tree. Dogs observing, fascinated. 

Carrie Bradshaw: (critical) The lower branches look bare.

Nina: (slightly disdainful) We're not cats you know. We don't "play" with low dangling ornaments.

Kim: I'm keeping the lower branches bare so that Nina won't walk into them. (to Nina) You're mostly blind you know. And short.

Nina: How dare you.

Kim: You walked into a wall twice today!

Nina: (perturbed) That was not my fault! That was a new wall!

Kim: The same wall last week!

Carrie Bradshaw: And the week before that. (to Kim) She stopped before any damage was done.

Nina: Shut. Up.

Kim: Now that you can't see as well, I have to "see" things from your perspective and make adjustments here and there.

Nina: (sulking but humbly) Thanks. I think.

Kim: Count your blessings. You still manage to amble along and you still have your appetite and you still chew on stuffed toys. You snuggle.... You're happy.

Carrie Bradshaw: AND you still have seashores! (licks Nina's face)

Nina: (sputters) "Seizures!" "Seizures!" Ew!

Kim: Alright, now the tree's done. It's cold- here let me-

Scoops up Nina and starts to put her sweater on. Nina squirms. 

Nina: No no no! Have I mentioned no??

Kim: Stop it. Hold still.

Carrie Bradshaw: Yeah. You don't want to catch ammonia!

Kim: There. Now you won't catch pneumonia.

Nina sits. Sulking. Carrie Bradshaw stares at her friend for a moment then licks her face once more.

Nina: (sputters) Dammit!

Blackout

©2013

*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.

Turn Left at the First Hallway...

Characters: 
Kim: The girl
Carrie Bradshaw: Bichon frise/poodle mix. 6 years old. Rather "Fluffy." 
Nina: 16 year old Jack Russell. Rather senile.

Setting: During the Dodger game on TV. 


Kim and dogs watching game on TV...

Nina: (tries to hop off couch, fumbles a bit) Dodgers are losing. I'll be in the backroom if you need me.

Nina ambles off...

Carrie Bradshaw: (stays on couch) Um, um... jack russell? The back room is THAT way.

Nina: (stops; looks around) Where's the hallway? (turns to look at Kim) Where'd you put the hallway?(looks around) I could have sworn it was here earlier.

Carrie Bradshaw: (looks at Kim) She's gone to"the Nile"again.

Kim: (laughs; gets up off couch and turns Nina to face the right direction.) There, you little senile old thing. That way.

Nina: (seems relieved) Thanks. (stops again; turns to look at Kim) Wait- where?

Kim: Would you rather stay here on the couch? (starts to pick up Nina)

Nina: (squirming) Put me down this instant!

Kim: (sigh; replaced Nina facing the right direction again) There.

Nina: (relieved, toddles off to the back room) Good grief. Stop and ask directions, you get accosted around here.

Nina stops at the end of hallway once more-

Nina: Wait- Where am I?

Kim and Carrie Bradshaw sigh....Nina simply decides to sit where she is at....

Fade as Nina stays at the end of hallways, deciding which route to take while Kim and Carrie Bradshaw watch the end of the game on TV....

©2013

*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. Or I simply try and figure out what she is trying to tell me, since that is what any pet deserves. And Carrie Bradshaw simply goes by her full name.