For those who know us, or simply follow our blog, you know that a most essential part of our lives is our tiny poodle, Nikolas. Nick is included in most things and if not, the scheduling revolves around him. This little guy came to us on March 19, 2009. It was one of thos incidents that was meant to be.
Mick and I have always had dogs, always a major part of the family. In the 1984, our first poodle, Maggie came to us. Maggie was the poodle from hell, but we loved her. After more than 14 years of sharing our lives, Maggie passed April 17, 1999. The family was so sad, we knew that the only way to pull ourselves up was to get another poodle. We brought Jake home on July 5 (Mick got his last speeding ticket on the way home from Yadkinville, NC). Jake was a Daddy's boy. He was constantly with Mick. If Mick was out of town, Jake knew if a phone call was from Mick. While on a cruise, our puppy nanny fell on Jake, injuring his back. Jake never fully recovered, the damage to the back was always there, but our vet could usually get him over it by changing his meds. However, in February of 2009, his pain was excrutiating and we had to do the humane thing. Jake was put to sleep on February 25, 2009. I was holding him as I had done with Maggie.
Jake was a big boy, 16 pounds.
We were devastated after the loss of Jake and having gone through the loss of Maggie, we knew that we needed another puppy. We found a litter in Hickory and after seeing the sweet little guy below, we had a new focus. Nikolas came home with us and was an absolute delight. This was a picture that was sent to us before we bought him.
Nikolas was the perfect puppy. Only a few weeks after we brought him home, Mick called and said to come home immediately. On the way home he told me that Nikolas had hurt himself playing and was screaming. We rushed him to Stoney Creek and after examining him, Jill concluded that he had a congenital defect called Atlanto-Axial subluxation, which is a condition in which a neck ligament is missing, resulting in neck instability. An appointment was made with a neurologist for the following day. Because of his age, he would need to wear a neck brace for 2 months prior to surgery and then 4 months after surgery.
After a night of continuous screaming from our little one, we decided that it was unfair to put him through the pain and anguish. Nikolas was taken out of his pain on March 17, 2009. I held him also.
We had almost decided that it was not meant for us to have a puppy since we had put down two puppies in a month. Mick spent the day making phone calls to breeders and searching the internet. It seemed that there were no puppies available. We were heartbroken and had almost decided that it was not meant for us to be pet parents again. Mick made one more call. A breeder in Thomasville told him that she had one available. He was six months old, they had named him Emry and he was the runt, but she "had" to get rid of him. She sent a couple of photos. This is "Emry".
"Emry" was very scruffy and scared to death of everything when we met him. He had spent his six months in a cage and had never been outside. Mick said that this was to be our new baby. I was not as accepting. On the way back to Charlotte, this little fellow trembled continuously. When we took him outside for the first time, he was uncertain of the grass and birds, everything frightened him. We knew that he was not an "Emry". We named him Nikolas II. He began daycare a month later after being neutered and has thrived. His doctor, Jill, at Stoney Creek commented that she knew that he would flourish with us and that he "sparkled".
The problem with Nikolas has been eating. Jill said that some dogs live to eat, which was Jake, and others eat to live, which is Nikolas. Nikolas has eating days and non-eating days. When he was in daycare, I would spend time in the floor every morning before work, coaxing him to eat. Small breeds can easily have low blood sugar and pass out. We would send him to daycare every morning with his lunch, that he may or may not eat. Many foods were tried, he simply didn't like any of it. He finally began eating one of the Science Diets OK. In preparing for our move, we already had a supply packed. While picking up Nick at daycare, I saw a sign that his food had been recalled. I had to unpack it and turn it in the next day.
We were concerned about what Nick was going to eat once again. After several days, the Iams rep said that Petsmart carried one of their foods that was quite similar to the Science Diet. We ran to Petsmart, got a bag and he LOVED it (on his eating days). Well, our supply is getting a little low. This is a request for anyone reading our blog that is planning a vacation soon to Cuenca. If you will stick a small bag of Iams Premium Protection in your suitcase, we will pay you for it, have you to our home for dinner, and also give you a city tour. Anyone that is willing to do this, please contact us at our email address. This is what the bag looks like and it weighs 5.5 pounds.
This is Nikolas II now. With all the things that have happened to us in our lives, Mick and I both believe that everything happens for a reason, we may not know what it is at the time. Nick needed us as much as we needed him. He is a happy, sparkling Ecuadog.
For those who are or have been pet parents, you fully understand our story. For those who are not animal lovers, my regrets. Until next time, Mick, Kathy, and Nikolas
We have new neighbors living below us. In addition to Hank and Sherry, there is Gixi, a pug, and Poobah, a neo mastif. 
These were taken from our terrace. 
In the ordeal of the legalities of driving, Mick met Alfredo, a Cuencano who has lived in Florida for many years. We had coffee one evening with his wife, Darcy, and another friend from the US, James. Darcy and Alfredo will eventually live in Cuenca. 
Mick and Nick 
Our grass gets cut once a month with weed eaters. 
Lunch at Nori Wok. 
The next few pictures of our cafecito at weaving. 
Maricita had made a wonderful apple cake. 
I made Lena, our housekeeper, a scarf. Here she is just after receiving it. 
With all the rain we've had, there have also been rainbows. This was the view one afternoon from the terrace. 
Nick never wants to get up in the morning. 
Angie is showing off one of the treasures she made as a gift for family back in Canada. 
Jim and Angie left yesterday for Canada. Buen viaje! We're waiting for your return. 
