Sasha

Fifteen year old Sasha and her 13 year old daughter Keika arrived at Kindred Spirits in July 2004.  The two Chihuahuas had lived their entire lives with a wonderful elderly couple in southern New Mexico.  Unfortunately, the husband became ill and eventually required Hospice care.   They could no longer care for their precious dogs, and could find no one to take them.  It is a sad but common situation, made even harder by trying to place the mother and daughter together.  The two had been together since Keika was born.  The NM Chihuahua rescue found out about the dogs and contacted Kindred Spirits.  When they arrived, Sasha was partially blind and had poorly controlled diabetes with various other complications. 

Sasha’s health deteriorated despite the best of care. In October 2004,  Sasha died in peace, surrounded by love.  Afterward Keika was given time to be with her mother.  She washed her mother's face and eyes, as she had done so many times before.  She laid herself over her mother's body and watched her intently with solemn eyes.  After nearly an hour, Keika quietly got up, moved to a nearby pillow, and fell asleep.  She seemed to know that her mother was gone and she was now on her own.  Keika's ability to bounce back from the loss of her mother is a testament to the power of bonding that she learned from Sasha.