She Couldn't Imagine Life Without Her Dog

We've all heard or read stories about spouses or brothers and sisters who die just days apart because their bond is so close. I remember the incredible, late Buckminster Fuller dying as soon as he was told his wife had passed.

I speak often of the close human-canine bond, both in my blog and in my book. Here is part of an article that demonstrates the deep bond between Natt Nevins and her beloved 15 year old dachshund, Nikkie.

Written by Amy Sacks
NY DAILY NEWS, Saturday, May 9th

Dog lover Natt Nevins dies a day before beloved dachsund passes away

After her 15-year-old dachshund was diagnosed with cancer last month, Natt Nevins told friends she couldn't imagine life without her beloved dog, Nikkie.

"He was her baby. You couldn't think of Natt without Nikkie," said Nevins' longtime friend Betty Brown, whose dachshund, Chester, spent time with the colorful duo on long drives to upstate Woodstock.

Brown was among the dozens of friends - including an army of dachshunds, Shih Tzu's, Chihuahuas and other small dogs - that gathered at Nevins' West Village apartment Thursday night to memorialize the well-loved duo.

Nevins, 74, a community activist, dog lover and fixture in the Greenwich Village dog community, died this week, just a few days after suffering a massive stroke. Her darling Nikkie - described by many as a Casanova with "Betty Davis eyes" - survived Nevins by only one day.

The longtime Manhattan resident rescued the long-haired dachshund when he was just a 1-year-old pup, surrendered by a family with kids that burned him and tied cans to his legs...

To read full article by Amy Sacks in the Daily News visit:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/05/09/2009-05-09_dog_run_goes_quiet.html

Thank you, Natt Nevins, for rescuing and giving a forever home to this formerly abused dog, and for giving him your love and safety for 15 years. He obviously didn't want to live without you, either. And thank you for your years of commitment to the dog community. They needed your activism, and may we follow in your footsteps to speak out and care for dogs/animals.

Posted by:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
Blog: www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com

Be Kind to Animals Week, May 3 to 9, 2009

From American Humane
(www.americanhumane.org)

May 3 to 9, 2009 is Be Kind to Animals Week & has been celebrated every year since 1915. The annual tradition "commemorates the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same."

Although Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated just once a year, people can be kind to animals every day:

Speak out for animals by getting informed about policies and legislation that can impact the animals in your community and throughout the country. When you advocate for animals it can make a huge difference in their safety and well-being.

Report Animal Abuse. Animal cruelty and abuse is tragic for animals. It also an indicates that other forms of abuse such as domestic violence could be happening. If you see something suspicious, like a dog chained in your neighbor’s yard that looks underfed, a child putting a cat in a box and kicking it around the yard,don’t hesitate to let someone know.

Adopt From A Shelter or Rescue Group. Every year, an estimated 3.7 million animals are euthanized at our nation’s shelters because they could not be adopted into loving homes. Please help reduce this tragedy by giving animals a second chance by adopting your next pet from your local shelter or rescue group.

Our pets need us to help keep them healthy and safe throughout their lives. Make sure they are wearing proper identification. Know what it takes to be a responsible pet owner.

Visit the American Humane website: www.americanhumane.org

Register to receive Action Alerts from American Humane -- you’ll be able to speak out for animals with just the click of a mouse.

Advocate for animals through American Humane Learn how.

Learn how to report animal abuse.

American Humane has tips to find the animal companion that’s right for you and develop a bond that will last a lifetime. Learn how.

posted by:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com