A Tribute to Niko, Judy and Their Pack

The shelter called at the end of October, 2004. They had a 5-month-old male GSP diagnosed with hip dysplasia and something was odd about both his back legs. He ran funny. He would never be adopted so they would have to euthanize him. Could we take him instead? I was a volunteer for a GSP rescue and was on my way to pick him up practically before I hung up the phone. When we got to the shelter, he barked and barked to protect himself but we whisked him away so I could foster him. This was Niko. Within a week, he was in the hands of a remarkable orthopedic surgeon. TPO was his very first surgery; many more would follow. It was inevitable from day 1 that I would be a foster failure. No way I could let Niko go.

Eventually, he blew out both knees (he was a pointer, and pointers just have to run!) so two more surgeries followed by 5 months of rehab for each. Later he had both front legs scoped and cleaned out for severe arthritis. Rehab was becoming a way of life for Niko! When he couldn’t be in full exercise mode, he found the perfect spot on the arm of the couch to patrol the back yard through the picture window. Or he hung out at the screened front door, barking his disapproval at passersby with dogs.

But nothing else changed. He just kept running and playing every day with the other GSPs at home and, of course, stalking his backyard prey. Niko was the anchor dog for 4 packs that came and went in our family. He was the constant. He never acted that way but he was the center of each pack. Niko was such a delighted pup, permanently happy. But his greatest love was running . . . running . . . running. It didn’t matter that his gait was crazy awkward.  He didn’t care if he was in pain during and after. Running was his drug of choice! He was ecstatic in the field and on trails.

One evening, Niko refused a treat. Emergency x-rays revealed an obstruction. Another surgery late into the night. It was touch and go but his doc was able to pull out landscape fabric with tweezers from his stomach and intestine. Niko did love his yard, and, apparently, hospital stays!

Then in June 2014, at age 10, he met his greatest challenge: a diagnosis of osteosarcoma indicated by a fracture on his right front leg. No amputation since his other legs weren’t strong enough so we used holistic care and he wore a splint for 15 months, until the end. This handsome boy was so accustomed to pain, even with meds, that he just ignored it and continued loving life.

Images of Niko’s antics and his mere presence will never fade. From stealing and running away with one of my shoes as I dressed to whining, wanting to be covered in the early morning hours with his very own down blanket. And bravely jumping into the car, on his own, to go for his weekly splint change. From me realizing that he never looked away first as we gazed at each other to burying my face in his satiny coat, kissing him between his gorgeous dark brown eyes and Niko loving it. These images are permanent residents of my memory.

Niko was made of joy and resilience. And I’ve never known a braver spirit, human or canine. He loved life too much to give up on it. He anchored our families of pointers. Several came and went while Niko endured and flourished even with cancer. I want to be just like him when faced with what seem like insurmountable obstacles or adversaries. Like him, I hope I can push through pain that tries to erode my happiness, even my will to live. Niko was such a sweet gift to me for 11 years and he will be my inspiration, my very special boy, forever.