I can't tell you how much your incredible story about Nikki touched me. I have cried and cried about you and Nikki.
Nikki sounds like she was the best dog in the whole wide world and such a perfect testimony of the kind of character Jacks can be. To those of you who have wondered what kind of dogs Russells are Alaina's story will tell you everything you need to know. Although I must admit, that even among JRTs, Nikki stands apart from the crowd. What a dog she was!
Alaina I could so easily tell in the way you wrote it how much in shock you are. Not being able to say goodbye just broke my heart into.
I lost a brother whose heart gave out suddenly and I didn't get to say goodbye to. for a long time I couldn't be consoled. I didn't want to be. I just wanted him back and nothing else would come close to helping.
That's called grief. And you will need to continue in it for a while. Time is the only thing that causes the sorrow to lessen. Nikki left just a few days ago and you didn't get to see her off. Don't feel pressed to put grief away. Just accept it and wade through it like a lonely swamp at twilight.
But, even though we feel we would prefer to remain in sorrow, some morning you'll wake up and the swamp is gone and as bewildering as it is, you'll feel like looking at the sun again and going out to do things.
And you'll tell the Nikki stories over and over again all your life. And those stories will make people like me laugh... and cry.
Thank you for venting your grief here. And for depositing such an unforgettable memorial to such an unforgettable little dog.
