Today is my chance to honor and remember our Nina. She was definitely more Larry and Gabriel’s than she was mine or Connor’s but moving out here changed that somewhat. She became like a sister to me. She joined me on my journey of living alone for the first time, well at least for the last 3 months of it, and it was during this time we made a much deeper bond which was solidified when I quit working and was home with her full-time. We were both getting older, and we both had our own health issues (she had a doggie version of ALS), Larry referred to us quite lovingly as Old Mother Hubbard’s.
“Like brothers in blood or sisters who ride When we swore, on that night, we'd be friends 'til we die But the changin' of winds and the way waters flow Life is short as the fallin' of snow And now I'm gonna miss you, I know”
I know Larry worried about the two of us puttering around the house, but I believe we gave each other purpose to get up and get moving each day. I knew she depended on me, and she was ever by my side making sure I was ok. One of the pictures is her lying on the bathroom floor in between the sink and the tub, which for her size was a tight fit, but that is where she would be every day when I got out of the shower. Just being a faithful Akita watching over her family.
The first time I heard this song after she was gone I knew it would always make me think of her because, sweet Nina was extra special.
Larry’s Perspective:
I didn't previously know this song, but if it reminds Shannon of Nina I love it. And it is a beautiful song.
I think it's important to note a couple of things. When we found Nina through the rescue society, she had already been in a dog crate for at least a month in a vet/hospital/boarding facility. I do mean crate; they didn't have rooms/runs. Honestly, the employees were a little scared / intimidated by her. She was owner surrendered after 10 years (fucking Amish breeders) - so she was in a strange place, with strange people, lost.
The videos are the day we brought her home and "set her free". Just a happy Akita loving probably her first taste of freedom and a toy all her own.
We decided not to rename her, so since she was named Nina we just kept it the same for her.
P.S. I caught the guy who knocked Shannon up from last night's write-up.
Ghost of a Chance 