Amaguk Scarlet N'Kia of Aniak "N'Kia" April 25, 1992 - January 29, 2004

N' Kia, our "Official Greeter" at Aniak, beloved by all who knew her, died in my arms at home on Thursday January 29, 2004 at 5:45 AM. N' Kia NEVER met a person or canine that she didn't like. Happy and smiling each day of her life, she taught me all about Siberians and especially that, "Oh, yes they can". She was affectionately nicknamed the "Alligator" because as you know, alligators will eat anything they can find. Through this last battle, her appetite slowly diminished but she did manage to leave this world with a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie in her tummy. Her Siberian attitude was always amazing to us. She was like a cork, impossible to keep down for any length of time, having battled, breast cancer, nerve sheath tumors twice, torn anterior cruciate ligament and finally lung cancer. N'Kia never, ever complained about her discomfort. Last Saturday morning, after a bout of coughing and hacking, x-rays showed that her lungs were almost completely consolidated with tumors. The vet said, to take N'Kia home and to let her enjoy her last few hours with us. He told us "She did not want to leave us just then and that she would tell us when it was time." We had five more special days with her. They were warm and sunny days here in Southern California. I took some photographs of her the day before she died. You could see her happiness and you could also see the weariness that was increased as each hour passed by. There certainly were times that it was difficult for her to breathe but she really managed to find ways to maximize her air exchange. Her tail continued to wag and she kept a smile on her face. Her love for us was so apparent. We loved her and she loved us, of that there was no doubt. We showered her with many many hugs, kisses and whatever kind of food she wanted. Although her energy level gradually decreased, she continued to eat and drink fluids in small frequent amounts. Her amazing stamina was evident as she showed us how well she met her final challenge in life. Her "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade" attitude continued right up to her last moment with us. She literally died with a smile on her sweet Siberian face.

N'Kia ~ Sunday, January 25th, 2003

N'Kia had AKC Championship points but did not finish her championship. Her attitude in the show ring allowed her to take the points from our Fawn at one show. However, at 3 years of age she ruptured 2 discs in her spine (while jumping our perimeter fencing) and her ability to compete in the dog show ring ended.

She had 3 litters for us and produced 16 wonderful puppies. The owners of her puppies swear that N'Kia's puppies are the very best Siberians ever produced. Her first litter produced Chakka, a Brazilian Multiple BIS Winner with Multi Country Championships. N'Kia was such a WONDERFUL mother to her babes. I always said that "If they gave out a single Gold Medal for Mothering, N'Kia would win it paws down."

N'Kia ~ Thursday, January 28th, 2003

Anytime that I would call our Siberians in from the outside, N'Kia would sit beside me and howl along with me until they all came in. She was the only one of our Siberians that had her very own "song". I made up "her" song long ago and I sang to her everyday. It made her smile and she would "sing" it back to me (when she was in the mood). Her last surgery found me in the post-op recovery area of our vet's office, on my hands and knees, singing her back to consciousness. She knew I was there with her. It was our "special" way of communicating with each other.

N'Kia, my Alligator Girl, you are always in our hearts and will never be out of our thoughts. After all, you are a hard act to follow. Separation from each other is so difficult to bear. I know that we will be together again at the Rainbow Bridge and that you are there now waiting for us. N'Kia, you stayed as long as you could and maybe even just a bit longer than that. You left us on your own when your body said it was "time to go". THANK YOU FOR THAT, MY PRECIOUS GIRL. WE LOVE YOU AND REALLY MISS YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE, YOUR WARM HEART AND YOUR SOFT KISSES. THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE NOT SO LITTLE ONES THAT YOU LEFT BEHIND, SINUK, AUTUMN AND TAWNEY.

N'Kia ~ Thursday, January 28th, 2003

Until we are reunited again, please know how very much you are loved by us. No other Siberian will ever fill the N'Kia-shaped hole you left behind in our hearts. You were one SPECIAL SIBERIAN and we are so thankful that you came into our lives and that you were able to stay as long as you did. Hugs and kisses to you Nikky-Nick, our wonderful Alligator Girl.

Love you very much,
Mom and Dad
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Please visit N'Kia's page

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