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Here's the happy ending story of Nikki:
It has been medically proven that pets are good for our health. Having a companion animal can help us live longer, helps keep our heart healthy and definitely helps a persons state of mind. Case in point, from the letter that Dawn Odrowski had written us after her dad passed away this past June. She and her brother asked that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to TLC instead. Ms. Odrowski went on to say why she and her brother had chosen TLC as the charity to honor their father. She went on to say, several months after my mother died of colon cancer in 1998, and our family dog Mikita, died, my father then 77 years old, had various health problems and missed my Mom terribly. Mikita's death was an additional blow to him, as well as the rest of the family. Though my brother and nephews lived close to dad, I lived in Washington, D.C. and in talking to him each day on the phone, I knew he was lonely. I encouraged him to think about getting a dog. My father was a true animal lover and my family had always had a dog.
On a visit to my dad in March of 1999, we went to TLC to look for a dog for my dad. We had in mind an older dog, quiet and companionable. After taking several dogs out for a walk, one dog kept attracting my dad's attention, a young Siberian Husky, who was striking to look at with her blue eyes and beautiful grey coat. She was the only dog who wasn't barking and seemed somewhat shy and timid. When we took her for a walk outside. she affectionately leaned into me several times. The shelter staff told us that she had been a stray, probably about eight months old. Though I had my doubts about whether she was the right companion for my dad, we agreed to bring her home to see how she and my dad would get a long.
Within an hour after we brought her to my dad's house, Nikki (as we named her) lost all of her timidity. My dad was charmed by her, although he knew he was going to have more work on his hands than we had planned. Though I asked him several times thereafter, as he went through housetraining with her, whether Nikki was too much of a handful, my dad had fallen in love with her and wouldn't hear of bringing her back.
As Nikki got older she calmed down considerably and enjoyed spending time with my dad, ruling his backyard, and playing with the neighbors dogs. She was the most affectionate dog our family ever had and my father delighted in showing her off and in telling me tales of her antics in our daily phone calls. He especially loved the way she "talked" to him - the not quite bark not quite howl she would emit, particularly when she wanted to express "attitude" - for example when I would fill in the holes she had dug in the backyard.
As my Dad's health deteriorated he began to worry about what would happen to Nikki if something happened to him. A friend of mine from college who still lives in the western suburbs told me that she and her husband would be interested in taking Nikki if anything ever happened. This plan seemed to ease my dad's mind.
When my dad died June 3, my friend Alicia and her husband did indeed decided to adopt Nikki, and now she is adjusting to her new home and her new "brothers" - two cocker spaniels.
I truly believe Nikki was one of the primary reasons my dad lived five more years after we lost my mom. Nikki brought him great joy and they were one another's constant companion. As my brother and I discussed my dad's funeral arrangements, we quickly touched upon the idea of suggesting contributions to TLC to honor the relationship my dad had with Nikki.
Ms. Odrowski ended her letter by saying, I hope you continue to do good work in caring for animals that come across your path and in bringing together those animals with people who will love, and be loved by, them.