The Golden Years
Michael and Nina have been together for 11 years.
A lifetime… Nina’s lifetime.
Michael lost his wife to cancer 25 years ago. Alone, he raised two young children and never allowed her memory to fade.
He shows me proudly the content of his wallet. Small change, a senior citizen transport card and a picture of a beautiful woman that goes with him wherever he goes. His wife.
Michael met Nina 11 years ago. A woman was giving out some puppies on the village square and the shy little female that nobody wanted somehow ended up on Michael’s arms. By then, his children had grown, they were in the process of leaving home, retired, he was alone for the first time in his life. Michael was looking forward to a calm content life waiting for the day when grandchildren would arrive. Instead of caring after children, Michael found himself looking after a rowdy puppy with a talent for reorganizing the living room’s furniture.
11 years is not such a long time for someone that has lived through two wars and lost the love of his life, but today, with tears in his eyes Michael tells me that Nina’s love and friendship have carried him through the years in a way no human friendship ever could. A true partnership.
Two months ago Nina had to be rushed to the vet. She couldn’t stand up. They ruled out any kind of trauma. Analysis were made. Her blood levels were terrible, indicating something was wrong with her liver. Xrays and scans were performed. No tumor or similar mass were found, but she had diabetes. With incapacitating sugar levels Nina is now under insuline therapy that little by little seems to be making things better. Some days she feels perky, wags the tail and with her intense gaze seems to be asking Michael to go home. Others, like today, she barely has any strength to lift her head, and she just rests there, looking at him.
Every morning, rain or shine, Michael starts the long walk that takes him to the clinic and to his beloved Nina. He is usually there before the clinic’s staff has arrived. They spend the day together. In their faces you can see the love they have for each other.
He’s all she’s ever known… She’s all he has…
The prognosis remains grave and noone really knows what to do. At this stage she is not in pain, she is just tired, exhausted, can’t really walk. As long as she is stable there is no knowing what the next day will bring. The problem is, she is not stable enough to go home, and right now that’s not an option anyway. Michael and Nina live on a third floor apartment in an old building. The house has no elevator.
It’s been two months… their bills are piling up.
Barely living on a state pension of little over 400 USD a month Michael confides me he will never be able to pay. Blushing with embarrassment he tells me he is dreading the moment the clinic hands him over the bill. He knows the moment this happens it will be the beginning of the end. His vet is a wonderful person and has shown great care and flexibility, but the time is fast arriving when the situation will be untenable… unless… unless we help.
I want to be able to tell Michael that everything will be ok, that he shouldn’t worry, that Nina will soon be fine, but I can’t, because I don’t know, and because something tells me she will never be fine again. But what we can do is to promise him we cover their bills, past and future and ensure Nina can stay where she is, where she will lack of nothing and will continue receiving top notch veterinary care, where she can spend every day with Michael and be cared for until she is well enough to go home or go to that place where dogs like Nina go when their time has come.
I want to able to tell Michael we are here for him, and that whatever happens, he will never be alone again.
We are an animal rescue community. We cannot leave this sweet couple behind in their moment of need.
Today I’m setting up this special Chipin for Michael and Nina and I would like to ask for your help, to help both a dog and a man that have nothing but each other remain together until the end…
I would want to ask you to make a small sacrifice today, to give up one of life’s unnecessary luxuries and offer it to this sweet couple. A cup of Starbucks two cups, the daily newspaper, anything… trading an unnecessary thing and in exchange, allowing Michael and Nina to remain together… Please, if you can, help Michael and Nina today…
Viktor
Update: November 14
Today I told Michael that he shouldn’t worry about, that we will take care of all expenses, and that he shouldn’t worry about anything other than being next to Nina… He teared up, could barely speak, couldn’t believe we were doing this for him.. Here is a message from Michael to everyone that is helping. It is translated at the bottom..
Translation: “I don’t have words to show my thanks for what you’ve all done. I don’t. I’m emotional because I didn’t think such good people existed in the world, but they exist in you. I don’t know what to say or do to show my gratitude…to thank you what you’ve done for my dog. She is my life. I’m 83 years old and I live only with Nina. She is my life. She is my life. She is my life. Thank you. Thank you. A thousand times thank you. . Thank you and I don’t have words for what you are doing for us. I don’t know what I would have done without her.” Miguel
I am not able to donate since I am unemployed, but have shared for help with love and hope. I am in tears at their amazing loyalty as it should always be…until the end….against all odds.
Thank you Kat… thanks for your kindness…
xx
Dearest Nina, Michael and Victor – I have been the first person to make a contribution and I wish thath there was so much more I could do. I hope and wish for that Michael and Nina will be able to spend some more years together. I send you all lots of love. Lizet
Many thanks for this Lizet… thank you, I will personally keep you posted..
Viktor
Hi, where can we transfer the money, to what bank account? And how can I be sure it goes to them and not to someone else’s jeans pocket?
Malin…
We have a Chipin that uses paypal in place. How do you know they don’t go to our pockets? Because the funds go to Let’s Adopt!, and because I am personally responsible for making those payments. If we wanted to steal a few hundred bucks we would be on a different business altogether, not rescuing cats and dogs.
That’s how you know.
Viktor
Dear Michael,
My heart aches for you and Nina… I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and hope that this wonderful community pulls through to help you… There might be bigger causes with more drama and pain but I genuinely feel for you because I could be in your shoes one day….I love my dog to death and I worry about her winter years every day.
May you spend all your days together in peace and warmth without having to worry about money.
Love,
Faten
God Bless you and your companion Michael. Nina will be healthy and with your beautiful wife at the rainbow bridge for you…. with love from my heart. Deborah
God Bless You Both! …Best of wishes from the U.K.xxx
Victor – it is me thanking you for being here and for being such a wonderful person helping animals in need. .. Lizet
I can only pray for this “family”. May the good Lord clear a path for them to be reunited and a cure for Nina. Bless you both and the staff at the hospital.
Thank you, Viktor, for bringing this to our attention and giving us the opportunity to help Michael and Nina…I feel so grateful to know your work and Let’s Adopt.. love to all of you,
Debbie
all the wishes i have donated 20$ not a lot as many animals i have but hope it helps whishes to all and hugs to nina and many xxxxxxx to michael,
yvonne from uk
ingnore above mess x
Many thanks Yvonne… thank you… I will send an update tomorrow… very very grateful
Dammit… this blog post brings tears to my eyes.
Donation complete, hoping for a good outcome for both of you.
Please take care, both of you. Hope Nina gets well soon.
I wish I had more to give but hopefully if everyone gives just a little, it will be enough to make a good dent in the bill. Please give them our love and tell them we are sending good thoughts their way, every day!
I have tried over and over to send, I THINK I finally got through. Hope so! It’s been a while since I used my PayPal account!
I made some donation, myself do have two cats at my house, and I cannot imagine my life without them, they are my family forever. I wish Michael and Nina will be soon together again.
Donated. And, praying for both Michael and Nina. Thank you for being there for them.
Darn me ~ I don’t see the ChipIn ?
This is the love that they have for each other …together through it all…i am in tears …God bless them both..only a bit but sent with love and prayers
Might Michael and Nina find (with the right help) a subsidized local (pet-friendly) senior community nearby without steps and be able to move? Could a Social Worker/Senior Advocate/Case Worker help him step-by-step?? Could a volunteer community group/agency help him move to such a place/facility? (hopefully near this vet) — surely there is some assistance out there for this deserving pair if he can find the right source.
Meantime, every donation helps. God Bless!!
How can I help? How much can I send? What can I send and where? Thank you
$5 for Michael & Nina and I hope she shows big improvement soon. Best wishes for the two of you. Your a good man Viktor! Thank you.
Gwen
Not able to donate much but donated what I could, sorry it can’t be any better. How lovely to see a human and animal so devoted to each other. I love to see Nina sitting beside Michael, at peace and content. She’s a very beautiful dog, her eyes are so full of expression, it makes me tearful. I hope Michael can see her everyday, they’re clearly besotted with each other.
Rest your weary head Michael, the whole world loves your beautiful Nina! Love and hugs from Temecula, California!
I did it! First time i have ever chipped into anything. All my love and best wishes to you and ur Nina, and i hope i could help. Just to let you know that ur story has reached Tasmania, Australia. Good luck.
Many thanks Fernando…
I will tell Miguel this morning.. Tasmania.. wow..
Thank you…
This made me cry for the love , the sorrow, the strength and the courage. Hang in there, Michael and Nina. God is watching and our prayers are here for you. I am truly sorry I am unable to donate anything but I am donating the powers of my prayers that you get the help you need. Be strong for beautiful Nina and let her go when the time is right. Much love and good thoughts to you both.
God Bless Michael, Nina & Viktor … yes there are good people in the world you just have to know where to find them … Nina is beautiful, I pray her health problems improve soon & that she has many more wonderful years left with Michael … with much love from Johannesburg, South Africa
Chipped in <3 This love is really worth it!
Much love to Michael & Nina from Massachusetts.
God bless you Miguel and Nina….and Viktor …..and everyone who has helped so far…..my prayers go out to you both too….that Nina will get better enough to remain with you for as long as she can. If I lived in the US I would donate straight away…but will share with my animal-loving friends who do live there…..you are in my thoughts always…Maria in S/Africa.
I am sorry but I can’t add to the fund at the moment because I am out of work. I wish Michael and Nina all the best so they can stay together for longer. When I am in work I will be contributing to your amazing work Viktor, God bless you xx
Don’t worry Roseanne…
Many thanks and thank you for being there..
I hope it helps, I donated only a little. Wish you all the best!
God bless you Miguel for your unwavering love for your furbaby. What a great love you have given her. Bless your heart.
Is there no charities/organisations able to help with the vet bill? Or can the vet’s not offer free/reduced fee’s? Surely the staff at the vet’s clinic can see this is a very special patient and owner, I think they should donate their consultation fee’s at least?! If complete stranger’s can find it in their hearts to donate money, I just thought the staff who are seeing this amazing rare bond would help also? I really hope this story has a happy ending </3 xxx
Yes Amanda, we are the charity organization that is helping with their bill… we are actually doing much more than that… we are making sure Miguel doesn’t have to worry about any detail involving Nina’s help in the future. Everything, from his vet to the special food Nina is going to need will be provided by us.
Dear Michael and Nina,
Everything will be OK.
😉
Romy
Chipped in! 🙂
God bless them both. And you’re amazing Viktor! 🙂
To Michael and Nina in your time of need.
I could only add $50.00 to the cause but, I am happy to help .
Michael can walk proud, knowing his Nina is being cared for.
<3
Dear Nina and Michel I send both a BIG big hug,I also had my nina for 16 years…and I had to let her go…BUT this is different!!this time she will be ok!!!lets pray and good will soon come to your lives!!!
the funds are getting there….I chipped in yesterday, also a first time ever for me 🙂 I sincerely hope she will get better. Best wishes from Munich
Many thanks Michelle… Ill be sending an update during today… thank you…
Espero…que nina se cure..dios mediante.yo quiro a los anialitos.y quiero apoyarte…
Where can I leave my donation. Miguel espero que tu Perrita se mejore pronto. Muchas fuerzas
Well I’M fRom Turkey but its good to see people all over the world helps nina and michael and i’m proud to be one of them =)
What happened to Nina?
How is she?
Here she is… https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=522227314468437&set=a.112429425448230.13265.111324518892054&type=1&theater
She is very well… much much much better… I think she’ll be going home at some point this month, not yet though… but soon.
did nina pass away? if she did my prayers to miguel and may she RIP on the rainbow bridge
I am so touched. Victor Larkhill, I am just so touched by the amount of compassion in your heart, and all who donated!