This story was shared within the framework of the Fur Fam Storytelling Contest. Submissions have been accepted through December 5. Voting will take place December 6 through December 31. The three grand prize winners will receive a $500 prize, plus a $500 prize pool. $2000 cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. View all stories here!
I lost one of the loves of my life on August 16, 2017. My precious Dachshund, Gretchin. I was by my side, we all are. She will be 14 years old in just three months. We lost her brother Otto in 2014 to a sudden heart attack at the age of 11.5. We had two big rescue fur babies, but I missed the poor face of the little paws. We need a “convenience bitty.”
That same day, my lifeguard friend, Tam, agreed to marry just one more person. There’s always room for another at Tammy’s. My friend has saved and found homes for over 300 beggies in her three years of rescue work. This is baby Nahki, as Tam named her, and she is a hyperactive girl! The girl was abandoned at an abandoned school near the Louisiana border, and it took the shelter woman three days to catch her.
When I saw her picture, I fell in love. In my heart I knew she was mine, but my husband said no, we’ve had enough. He worries about vet costs for three and can afford all the things you want for them. So I resigned myself to watching Nak grow up on Facebook. And so I did for a year. Then in August 2018, we learned that Tam had pancreatic cancer. We couldn’t believe it, we were shocked and devastated.
I last saw her and Nak at Thanksgiving. I really wanted to say, “Let me take her,” but I couldn’t. How can the heart be so sick? And I’m sure the family will keep her. Tam loves her very much and feels that she is not an adopted child. I feel helpless, I know I am losing both Tam and Nak. Tam always knows the answers to questions about doggy, she’s always there for so many of us. But one day after Christmas, Tam left this world.
In February, I called again to see how things were and the family were looking for a home for Nak and the other dogs. I said I’ll help them book them and I’ll be right there to give Nak! I lost my mom that same week, and my husband said, “Go, go and take Nak.” Since then, every night, I sing her the song “Tammy’s In Love”. I kicked her when she couldn’t sleep, and helped her eat, walk, and balance.
Nak suffers from cerebellar hypoplasia and other genetic problems. But she can run like the wind! Her father never picked her up without kissing her. He also fell in love. Bubby and her big Sissy love her and play softly with her. She thinks her size is 70 pounds! When she doesn’t like something, Nak will let you know with her Latin temperament!
“Wittle Nak” has a Facebook page and a boyfriend named Scooby, a Chihuahua who lives in LA! She asked him for her valentine two years ago and their romance is going strong. She has many cute outfits and is a “black belt” in fur karate! Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Tam. I knew she was smiling from heaven, to see how we did because no one could understand her better or love Nak more than we do.
This story was submitted by Lynda Barron, with support from the Villalobos Rescue Center. To see other Fur Fam Story Contest entries, click here!
