Nina body-slammed me three times when she walked into my apartment for the first time. She weighed 76 pounds, part overweight and part retaining water from the food she'd been getting –food that also had her wheezing like a steam engine, stained her tears and saliva so that her normally white face and paws were rust-colored, created hives on
her belly, and had her itching so badly that she'd scratched scabbed-over holes in her face. Her eyes were red and infected, her coat was brittle and yellowish, and it turned out that she had sarcoptic mange too. Nina had a snaggle tooth, her feet were huge, and her toenails were so long that she walked funny. The people she'd been living with said that Nina was unmanageable and not housebroken. It turned out that she had a bladder infection and a hormonal imbalance, soon easily fixed with inexpensive medication, that made her prone to bladder infections. As for unmanageable… they hadn't bothered to teach her the new name, "Emmy," that they'd assigned her ("Nina" was what Boxer Rescue had named her before them). She had two names she didn't know, until Martin, Mabel's "dad," came into the dog run and burst out singing the Noel Coward song about Nina from Argentina who wouldn't dance. Her nickname at first was "The White Tornado." The leash was an all-too-new concept even though she was three or four years old.

But once she knew her own name, and learned what was expected of her, it wasn't long before our friends in the park wanted to know how to train their dogs to be "unmanageable" just like her. Her awkward gait and over-enthusiasm gradually turned into regal bearing and confident calm. When other dogs barked at her as we went down the sidewalk, she simply ignored them. Nobody had ever seen a white Boxer with a tail, and she was built like a linebacker, so they often mistook her for a pit bull. But soon her eye infection cleared up and her gorgeous amber eyes glowed when the sun hit them. As people in the park got to know Nina, they complimented her on the purple harness that suited her so well and set off her eyes. She loved the attention. So, that first winter, even though I would have considered myself the last person on earth to color-coordinate her dog, I looked for a purple sweater. I was now a canine fashion slave, and nothing but royal purple would do for my regal Nina. In winter, walking down the sidewalk with her purple fleece jacket and matching purple booties imported from Canada, she made every person who passed smile.

Her giant heart was immediately obvious to anyone who spent just a second to get to know her. Rosa, the clerk in our favorite little neighborhood pet store, declared immediately: She's a Love Bug. So Nina became "Bug," my funny little love bug, my beautiful bug, my snuffle bug. Nina looked after the puppies and small dogs in the dog run; her nickname was Officer Nina or The Mayor. Puppies would charge across the run and throw themselves on the ground or pee, or both, in front of her to show their respect. Shy dogs would stand near her for protection if they were afraid of other dogs. She was a loving foster big sister to Abby, Remy, Harley Girl, Lance/Diego, KC, Stinky, and QTip. Nothing intimidated Nina, who never ever lost her temper, even when she would have been well within her rights to do so. She didn't have to snap or growl to assert her authority; she just projected that This is Nina's world. She is delighted that you are her subjects, but this IS Nina's world.

When we discovered the tumor on her spine April 3, 2008, she faced it with optimism, even after surgery and a biopsy showed that it was an aggressive osteosarcoma. The last several weeks of her life, when she couldn't use her legs, she was determined to walk again and to keep spreading the love. She quickly figured out how to scoot around the apartment, with me chasing after her to try to get her to sit still so that she wouldn't hurt herself. She liked to run laps, wheelbarrow-style, around the living room. Those last few weeks, we often sat on my front stoop so she could see her friends, and even in her condition, her attitude was that she was holding court with her adoring subjects.

Our last night together, after it became clear that she was ready to go, I explained to her about the Rainbow Bridge, where dogs wait for their people to join them. She looked at me as if to say, "I'm relieved that YOU finally figured that out." We helped her go comfortably in her royal purple orthopedic bed at home May 23, 2008. Nina's huge heart and spirit throughout the ordeal, even when she was in pain, inspired me and still do. I try to get through life without her physical presence by trying to live in Nina's world, listening to what she would tell me if she were here and able to talk: Do everything you do to the fullest. Spread the love. Let yourself be silly. Do not let even the worst odds get you down. Have patience with idiots. Don't tolerate bullies. Forgive generously. Make what you want perfectly clear. Express your pleasure. Approach the world with an open heart. This is Nina's world.

For more information on bone cancer visit http://bonecancerdogs.org/

07/07/03 - 

If you've ever read the Marmaduke comic strip and thought how much fun it would be to have that dog share your life, look no further..... have we got a dog for you! Nina, renamed Emmy is a 90 pound dog that has absolutely no idea of her size. Emmy knows sit, down, come, easy, wait and off. She has absolutely no temper issues - at all. She is the most loving girl, full of kisses and full of fun. 

Emmy, in spite of her age, has the attention span of a 6 month old puppy. She sits - for a second. She downs - for another second. She does everything you ask her to, but for a very limited amount of time. It is apparent that even though she knows these commands, they have not been reinforced. Her foster mom is working with her and she improves every day so continued education is a must with her. Emmy does not walk well with a collar and lead so I've been using a harness and that has helped a great deal - much less pulling - a fenced in yard would be perfect for this girl. 

Emmy loves other dogs and wants to play, but remember, she's a big goofy girl so if you have a small dog now, Emmy would be too much for your present dog to handle. Same thing with very young kids - Emmy would be great with teenagers with lots of energy - she'd make a great linebacker on your kid's football team! 

Emmy can be left home alone, uncrated, and she is 100% housebroken. No cats please - Emmy would unintentionally hurt a cat. If you are looking for an energetic, loving, playful, funny girl, Emmy is right here waiting for her forever home. 

Oh, and as an added bonus, she has the most beautiful amber/green eyes I've ever seen in a dog.

06/17/03 - Nina

Nina is coming back into rescue. Her owner is not well and is having trouble caring for a large dog.

Please consider this sweet girl for your family.

Adopted 7/12/02

7/02/02 -  Nina is a large (70 pound), white female with a natural tail. She is approximately 3 years old. Nina rides well in the car, likes children and is well behaved. Because we have no history on this dog we can only place her with children over 8 years old.

(click pictures to enlarge)

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