Life Goes On After Death – Tika’s Story- Part 3

The loss of a loved one can feel like the end of the world. Through my own experience, here is what I’ve learned: there is life after death. 

For 14-and-a-half years, Tika was my companion and sidekick. While it has been 4.5 years since Tika crossed the Rainbow Bridge (May 28, 2021), not a day has gone by that I felt her absence; this is because my soul dog remains very much with me. (Note: today, January 3, 2026, is Tika’s 19th heavenly birthday!) 

For the last two-and-a-half years of Tika’s life, she lived with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a progressive, incurable, though thankfully painless disease, also known as the Lou Gehrig’s disease of dogs. It’s a debilitating illness that results in the loss of leg mobility and eventual loss of bladder and bowel control. You can read all about our experience, beginning with Part 1.

Regardless of the new challenges she faced, be it the wheelchair, incontinence, or loss of independence, Tika was a DM champion, an inspiration to many! People were inspired by Tika’s determination and they learned of new ways to support a mobility-challenged pet.

Throughout our final months, weeks and days together—and for a long time thereafter—I found myself traversing a deep and enriching grief journey that only strengthened our bond!  It was during this time that I came to my own understanding of “life after death” – and this is what I’d like to share with you.  

Life After Death

Ten days prior to Tika’s Rainbow Bridge crossing, Part 1 of Tika’s story was published, in which we share our experience of providing care and comfort for a senior mobility-challenged pet. The story attracted wide-reaching attention, and several months later, I followed up with Part 2, which focuses on pet bereavement and the grief journey. I wasn’t planning on adding to this story, but given the lessons I’ve learned throughout this experience, and the inquiries I’ve received from other pet parents, writing Part 3 seems to complete the story.  

Four and a half years have passed, and I continue to receive messages from pet parents around the world, who share their personal stories and expressions of gratitude for the insight, courage, and comfort they gained from Tika’s story. (You can read many of these heartfelt messages in the “Comments” section at the end of each “Part” of the story). Tika still has meaning, purpose and impact on the lives of others; this is “life after death.”

One very special connection came from Dave and Debbie in South Africa, whose senior rescue German Shepherd “Rocco” was diagnosed with DM and had lost his ability to walk on his own. They reached out to me after coming across one of Tika’s YouTube videos where she was using her wheelchair (you can see all of her videos here). I put them in touch with a North American distributor (Walkin Pets) that would ship to South Africa, and they ordered a wheelchair right away! This not only improved Rocco’s quality of life but extended it and gave the family more quality time together. We frequently kept in touch about Rocco and our everyday lives on different continents. Tika made connections like this possible.

One of Tika’s videos went a little viral (see below)… It warms my heart to the core knowing that her life and story have touched so many! I’ve heard from several readers how comforted they were to have found someone that “gets it,” someone who understands and shares the same depth of love that we have for our pets. You’re not alone!

Tika Helps Others

Tika’s story made it across the border to the United States!  It was featured in a printed newsletter (which you can see here online) by the Newman Veterinary Research Hospital in Alabama, USA. 

Tika even has her very own “mug shot!” Her profile is used to represent the German Shepherd breed on fundraising items sold by Bubba’s Buddies, a non-profit organization in the United States that focuses on finding a cure for Degenerative Myelopathy and helping DM families in need. The funds raised go towards supporting research for treatment of DM in partnership with four American universities and the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Check out Bubba’s Buddies online shop here and learn more about the research project and the disease here.

The Spirit Has No Expiration Date

Through Tika’s death, I’ve come to see the physical body as a rental costume for the spirit; and while we don’t know its rental period, we do know it will expire at some point. Unlike the body, the spirit has no expiration date; there is nothing temporary about it. There is no “end” to Tika. She continues to live on in my heart and influence the lives of many around the world.

Just as with everyday life, when it comes to death, you get to choose where to channel your attention, love and energy. Instead of saying goodbye to a loved one, consider the possibility of an ongoing relationship that transcends death. It is my belief that death does not bring absence, nor does it need to be the end of a relationship. Instead, death can bring about a spiritual presence which allows for a never-ending connection with your beloved.

During a road trip, I asked Tika to give me a sign; I turned the corner and the rainbow suddenly appeared!

I acknowledge that what I am sharing reflects my own perspective and experience; there are certainly many other different opinions and beliefs, and by no means do I mean to discount them. The lessons and insights I’ve learned on this journey have been among the most impactful and enlightening in my life. Death isn’t something to fear and I don’t have to “let go” and “move on.”  Instead, our relationship continues, as I “move forward with” my beloved at my side; knowing this brings me great comfort.

Love is Meant to be Shared

In 2022, less than a year following Tika’s passing, I became a volunteer dog walker at my local pet shelter in Yellowknife, the NWTSPCA. At times I would even bring a dog home for the day or weekend to give them a break from the kennels, and I would make promotional videos of the dogs to help them find their furever family! I was amazed at how much joy this brought me!

Sharing my time and love with these sweet dogs was a very therapeutic part my grief journey. Instead of being sad about Tika’s death and staying away from other dogs in fear that it would be too emotional for me, I had the realization that love is meant to be shared, not bottled up. Seeing and hearing the excitement and happiness of the dogs was a big motivation for me. I felt as though those visits allowed for a direct connection with Tika’s spirit; the more love I gave to these dogs, the more I gave to Tika and the closer we became.

Sharing my love with NWTSPCA shelter dogs.

As a volunteer dog walker, I had no intention of fostering or adopting a dog. Little did I know that Angel Tika had other plans for me!!  On July 23, 2022, after four months of dog walking, Tika orchestrated my first outing with Miss Hiccup, a timid and gentle 8-year-old German Shepherd Husky cross (aka a “northern special”). I will never forget the first time I laid my eyes on Hiccup, lonely and curled up on the floor of an inside kennel. My heartstrings were pulled, and even then, I wasn’t aware of what was in the works…

Tika’s Gift 

Six weeks following that first walk with Hiccup, I proudly signed the adoption papers on September 9, 2022; this marked the beginning of a new love-filled chapter of our lives. You can see Hiccup’s heart-warming adoption video here…

While dog volunteer walking was great therapy for me, it ultimately led me to Miss Hiccup, who ironically (or maybe not so!), became a St. John Ambulance therapy dog… sharing the love even further! I truly can’t imagine that Hiccup was meant for anyone else but me!  She brings such joy, entertainment and love to my life, and to the lives of others. Hiccup was Tika’s very special gift to her Mommy! 

I’ve learned first hand that life goes on after death. As long as I continue sharing my love with others, Tika’s life and legacy continue, and so does our relationship.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank every person who has taken the time to read Tika’s story. Please feel free to share it; by doing so, you’re not only helping others, you’re keeping Tika’s spirit alive!  And please leave a comment at the end of the story; these mean more to me than you know! What were your thoughts? Do you have a similar relationship?

To see and read more about Tika or Hiccup on Instagram or Facebook, simply search the terms “#tikatribute” or “#hiccupadventures.”  [PS- My 3rd sabbatical is on the near horizon…. travel adventures coming soon!!! Watch for new stories:]

This story was adapted from the original story “Life Goes On,” published in the January/February 2025 issue of UpHere magazine.