Meet Nyka 🩵

Estimated date of birth: June 7, 2021

From a forgotten street dog to my best friend and loyal guardian.

The day I found Nyka

In April 2022, I was on my way to work when I came across two extremely thin, starving dogs at a well-known dumping spot: Nyka and Mavi.

Mavi was in a particularly heartbreaking condition. A chain had grown into his neck, and he was so weak that he could barely walk. I couldn't just leave them there, so during my lunch break, I went back to get them and brought them home.

Thankfully, neither dog needed more than some medication, proper care, attention and, most importantly, love. With time and care, they both began to recover.

Mavi was lucky enough to find his forever home with friends of mine fairly quickly. Nyka, however, never seemed to attract much interest. Despite everything she had been through, she remained waiting for someone to choose her.

A home that never quite happened

In 2025, after years without a suitable match, someone on the island finally showed interest in adopting Nyka. Unfortunately, their own dog wasn't comfortable with Nyka joining the household, and it simply wasn't the right match.

For me, it was another reminder that finding a home isn't just about finding someone willing to adopt. It has to be the right home for the individual dog, too.

Looking back, I think Nyka was already exactly where she belonged.

A girl with her own rulebook

Nyka definitely comes with a few instructions of her own!

She's an incredibly clever and athletic girl who can climb surprisingly high. Her nails, however, are a completely different story. She absolutely will not tolerate having them trimmed. Even the extra toes on her hind legs had to be surgically removed because the nails kept growing into her skin, and she simply wouldn't allow anyone to trim them.

Nyka is also a very serious guardian. She takes her job of protecting her home and her people seriously, and she certainly doesn't welcome everyone into the garden with open paws. There are people she genuinely dislikes, and in those situations, she may snap or bite. She needs someone who understands her boundaries, respects her signals and takes her protective nature seriously.

She's not the kind of dog who will love everyone she meets, and that's something I've learned to understand and manage with her.

But there's so much more to Nyka than her quirks and protective instincts.

Above everything else, Nyka is my girl. My companion, my friend and my personal bodyguard.

She's incredibly obedient and listens so well that I can enjoy walking with her off-leash without worrying that she won't come back when I call her. That trust between us is something very special to me.

Puppies, on the other hand, aren't really her thing. She'd much rather keep her distance from their endless energy. But when something happens and a puppy needs protection, Nyka is often the first one there. She may not want to play with them, but she certainly looks out for them.

And then there's her softer side.

Every now and then, Nyka comes over simply because she wants to be close to me. She settles down beside me, rests her head on my chest and enjoys a good cuddle. Those quiet moments with her are some of my favourites.

She's strong-willed, protective and very much her own character, but with the people she trusts, she has a deeply affectionate side.

Choosing her forever home

When my plans to move to a more permanent home finally came together in 2026, I made a decision about Nyka. After years of waiting for the right person to come along, I realised she didn't need me to keep searching for someone else. She had already found her place with me.

She had been part of my life since that day in April 2022, when I couldn't leave two starving dogs behind. Over the years, our bond had grown into something much more than rescue and care. She had become part of my family, my everyday life and the place I call home.

Nyka may not be the right dog for everyone, and she doesn't need to be. She has her own personality, her own boundaries and her own way of showing love.

In 2026, I made it official in my heart: Nyka had found her forever home. And it was with me.

No more waiting for the right family. No more wondering whether someone else might choose her.

She's my girl, my loyal guardian and my friend. And she's home for good. 🩵