Nikki came to us unexpectedly, like falling stars and four leaf clovers. Overnight, Nikki became as much a part of our family as our first little canine friend Chipper. She was as fiercely independent as she was affectionate and loving. She loved all creatures great and small, especially babies and puppies. She knew when to be especially gentle and when she could rough house. She would smile when she was excited and when she talked back to us in her gregarious, argumentative whisper it always made us laugh. She was our companion, our cuddle bug, and our protector and she brought joy to our family everyday.
I can't help it, but just need to share this: at 3:30 in the morning she went outside and lay down on the patio in the back yard so I went out with my pillow and blanket and lay down with her. I saw a shooting star. Then, later in the day, Jim and I took Chipper to a little park in Huntington that we had never set foot in before. Jim sat down in the grass, looked down and immediately found a tiny little four leaf clover. He has found four clovers at very momentous times in his/our lives, and now this one. Never one this small. He always called Nikki, "little girl".
Dr. Forslund, thank you again and again and again. We will be forever grateful to you for helping us give Nikki a peaceful and dignified departure. Your expertise and your calm and gentle demeanor made the most difficult decision and process more bearable. When Nikki wagged her tail and kissed you, we knew we'd made the right decision.
Nikki, a hundred years would not have been enough and we will always love you and miss you everyday.
Jim, Judi and Chipper Houlihan
Huntington Beach
