How We Lost Our Big Dog, or When Nina Died

We lost our big Great Dane, Nina, to old age a few months back. I hadn’t written about it in part because we missed her so much it hurt to say aloud, and in part because other things kept arising. She was 9 years old, old for a Dane, and had to be put to sleep based on her old age and pain levels. One morning she was just continuously yelping while laying on the patio out back. When we took her in, the docs knew she was in great pain and couldn’t (shouldn’t) keep going.

SuperBoy misses her and asks about her frequently. “Is she in Heaven with St. George? Is she fighting the dragon with him?” Yes, of course she is, buddy.

She played with him every day, and loved loved loved to play tug of war, complete with a big treat at the end of it for her for being so gentle with him. She slobbered on everyone who came to the door, and barked her face off too. She was a fierce watch dog.

We have so many photos and videos of the two of them playing. She was 130 pounds, but as gentle as a kitten with him.

Poor Kazzie is all alone without her, and misses her greatly. Well, she likes all the attention on her, actually. She’s a bit heartless for all her cuteness.

Emily Rumsey Photography

She loved sitting in the backyard, watching all the traffic, moderating and letting people know to stay out.

We love you, Nina!