Sometimes life can take some unusual and ironic twists and turns. Nikita's journey is one of them. We received a call a couple of years ago from a distraught gentleman who had two OES's that he needed to release to rescue. He certainly wasn't happy about it. The man loved his dogs dearly and was torn with the decision. He felt he had no choice at the time since he had cancer and was looking at the end of his own life's journey. He wanted to make sure that if nothing else, his dogs were safe.

Belinda met Robert during my lunch hour from work one beautiful clear day and she'll never forget the sight of all three of them. The male OES, Sir Houch, had his huge head stuck out the window of their SUV, barking like the hounds from hell were after him. Nikita, very much a lady, was sitting beside him and looking at him, bewildered. Robert let the dogs out and after a very short conversation, got back in his vehicle to leave. The sight of the tears rolling down his face as he drove away made a permanent imprint on Belinda's memory.

Sir Houch was a bit of a curmudgeon and took a while to place, but Ms Nikita was adopted fairly quickly by Ann and John. During our adoptive process, Ann confided that she also had cancer but was fighting it and really wanted Nikita to be with her. Off they went with Nikita, who was seen once again sitting nicely in the car for the ride to her new home.

Time passed and occasionally Belinda would contact Robert to see how he was faring with his cancer process and they would talk. Things were up and down for him but all in all, not too bad.

Belinda received a call from John a few weeks ago. Ann had lost her cancer battle and passed away and although he dearly loved Nikita, John's workload required extensive travel. He felt that Nikita would be most happy in a home where there was someone around her more frequently. At that point, we just had to give that one true solution to Nikita's placement a shot. Belinda contacted Robert, left him a message and waited to see what would transpire. Robert called back, talked about his health and his ability to care for Nikita again and he suggested discussing it with his wife. It didn't take long to get his answer and when Belinda heard his reply, she confesses, 'I cried.' His message was 'when and where,' and from there it was 'all systems go!'

John's daughter was there to meet Robert when he arrived to get Nikita (a ten hour journey) and she told her dad that after a tentative look at him, Nikita went right over to Robert, sat down and did the infamous sheepdog lean. We've heard from Robert as well and he reports that Nikita is right back at home. The first thing she did upon her arrival was flop down on the floor and roll over for belly rubs!

Once again, we want to extend the group's condolences to John and his family. But we also want to thank him for putting Nikita's best interests first. We also want to thank Robert and his family who now have half of their duo of OES's back. A happy story with a sad ending and a sad story with a happy ending have intertwined, and sometimes, that what makes rescue what it is! Nikita is home.