I know life goes on, but I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately. It’s been a tough year.

One of the hardest things Scott and I had to do was say goodbye to our little one, Kiki. Kiki was just a great source of comfort each day for me. Having a bad day? Hug a Kiki. Having a good day? Hug a Kiki.

Her sister, Shady (Lady Nightshade, 2000-2014), was an excellent listener, and Kiki was ready to love and be loved all the time. They were a perfect pair. Shady would have loved how the 2012 changes in the CT beer laws also opened the doors to new venues for dogs to enjoy friendly humans. Kiki certainly loved the short trips to local breweries.

Like most any dog or anyone, Nariki had her nicknames – Kiki being the one used most prolifically. She was known as The Little One, and if you knew how big her sister Shady was, you’d understand why! I affectionately began calling her Monkey Butt when I first started dating Scott back in 2004. She loved hopping onto this fallen tree and walking up to the tip. The tree was high enough off the ground so that her butt was eye level. Of course, there was also Sweetheart, Baby Girl, Little Shit, Underfoot, and so many more.

Kiki went everywhere – from hiking all around New England, to the ocean, to cities, to the country, to vineyards, to breweries. Everywhere we could take our dogs safely and comfortably, they went with Scott and me. And Kiki really brought out the best side of people, including me. We’ve had really good times together – and there’s also a few of those, ahem, funny-in-hindsight-only stories that I could share… you know the kind!

It’s been difficult to move on. The hardest thing is maintaining the dog-friendly list on my blog right now – I haven’t added the last few entries, because Kiki wasn’t with us when we went to them. It makes me feel horribly guilty, like I’m leaving her behind. I do want to get another dog, but I don’t want another dog (but I do; but I don’t).

Nevertheless, time dulls most pains of the heart and mind. So many things trigger her memory, and it’s time I start embracing those memories with fondness instead of sadness.

RIP, little Narike – 11/2000 – 4/2017