Oh Kiska, I'm not supposed to pick favorites, but of all the pets I've had, you are my special one- and you knew it. You were my first newfie- boy, did you change my life! I've had 6 others since, and none compare to you. Some people don't understand the bond between people and their pets, but I have to admit that your death has hit me harder than any other loss I've had, and I've had alot. Perhaps because a dog is totally non-judgemental and loves unconditionally-no matter what you do or say, the loss of that is very painful. But you were much more than that- a trusted friend, a partner for walks in the woods or at the beach or snowshoeing or dogsledding, just a ride in the car, or laying at my feet at home. (I remember yesterday when I had to take you to the vets and said "you want to go for a ride in the car?", it was one of the few times you lifted your head in days) We had so much fun together, but you weren't a "good time charlie"; you were always there for me no matter what. I'm so sorry that you and Kodiak didn't get out too much for a few winters when I was so sick, but you were the only company I had during many of those dark days and years of illness; thank God I had you.

I named you after a dog I met in Alaska. I asked the Inuit Eskimos in Nome a word for hugs & kisses and they said something like Kunisika, which is your registered name. There is also an island in the Aleutians named Kiska, but it has a pretty grim history. You were the "stubbornist" puppy- I had to take you to Obedience Beginners class twice before passing, and we both hated it. If only I had known then that harsh leash corrections are totally unnecessary, but I didn't know any better. You would love the new clicker training I'm doing now.

I keep having to stop and wipe the tears as I write this. I keep seeing your loving and trusting eyes, especially this past weekend when you couldn't move. You and I could gaze at each other forever. I loved the way you used to put your head on my chest and just look in my eyes. We are both so independent, but we sure had a strong bond. You hated when I would leave, and I recall the many times you would follow the car down Benal Rd, even a few months ago at Connie's they found you out at the road, even though you couldn't walk very well. You were so alert to wherever I was- I saw you watching me!

We sure had fun learning to dogsled together, and we even got our picture in the paper twice! Newfies pulling a sled?! Well, we didn't qualify for the Iditarod, but we sure had fun. I'll never forget you seeing a raccoon or something and dragging me face-down through a cornfield-ouch! The snow and dogsledding is what brought us here upnorth. I know you loved our house and 40 acres as much as I did. I loved being able to just walk out the door and we'd go walking, or snowshoeing, or dogsledding, or just lie in the field. You had one very expensive habit- porcupines! It freaked me out the first few times seeing all those quills in your mouth and on your face, but they didn't seem to bother you at all except you couldn't eat or drink very well. So I stopped taking you to jensen's in the middle of the night and waited til morning. I think I supported jensen's back then. I could always tell by your bark when you had one cornered. You were so smart- how come you didn't learn from experience?! I know, it was too much fun!

Thank you dear Kiska Wiska for all the joy you brought me. Can't wait to see you again at the Rainbow Bridge.