Sunday, November 8, 2009

Katie - One Year

Today marks one year that Katie slipped peacefully away in my arms.




Not a day goes by that I do not think of her.


She was my 'heart' dog.  Rarely if ever straying far from my side. 



Katie came from a farm where she tended sheep the first 8 years of her life then was dumped in a shelter for killing chickens.  Katie watched over me and my children the remaining 9 years.  She passed at the ripe old age of 17.

Katie was preceded in death by her companion Elmo in 2005.





 Elmo passsed shortly after he had surgery to repair a splenic torsion.




Ironically he died the same day I was in the hospital having my own gastric torsion repaired (my stomach had slipped up into my chest cavity & wrapped around my esophagus putting pressure on my heart). Funny...John and I were married then three days after our wedding he had to put my dog down while I was recovering from major surgery.  I wonder if it was prophetic of our life together.   I digress...

These two dogs saw my children through many years growing up.  Their passing served a vivid reminder of my own transition into middle age. 

Charlie saw the dogs coming and going...he too passed earlier this year at 17 y/o.



In December 2007 Ranger joined our family



Katie welcomed Beth in Feb 2008



Katie patiently tolerated the puppy Bonnie when she joined our pack in August 2008.



Our pack was complete.  But Katie was growing weary.  With a tumor wrapped around her spine, she slowed, then finally one morning I knew it was time.




I had plans to spread Katie's ashes this summer at the beach.



The morning came for me to do it.  I brought her ashes down to the beach, just me with the dogs.  I sat down and thought of all the wonderful times Katie witnessed in our family.  The sad times she sat quietly by my side asking for little.

Lifting my spirits with a ball dropped in my lap, or a cold nose shoved into the back of my knee.  A shadow at my son's side through his illness.




I cried and knew I couldn't let her go.  Her ashes sit here with me as I type this -  Perhaps, one day I can let her go...just not yet.




Video dedication to Katie - I wonder when I will be able to watch this and not cry.  I miss her dearly. 




12 comments:

Raising Addie said...

... lots of tears ...

Beautiful tribute! Thank you for sharing Katie with us. She was a wonderful pup and had the best forever home.

Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie, Lucie, Hailey and Staci

Kathy Mocharnuk said...

What a beautiful tribute, it really made me pull my little fur babies a little closer, so glad she had so many great years knowing how much she was loved.

Emma Rose said...

That was a beautiful tribute to Katie. You gave her a wonderful life. I wish we could have known her.

MurphyDog said...

what a beautiful post...she was a beautiful girl & it is apparent how much she is missed. What a lucky dog to be a part of your pack.

wags, wiggles & slobbers
Murphydog

Unknown said...

I am so sorry, she sounds like she was a sweetheart and I do not blame you for wanting to keep her close.

Hillcrest Border Collies said...

Blast's ashes are here with me (on my desk) too. My husband also has his Wiley by his bed side. They are too much a part of our lives to "let" them go.

Anonymous said...

The story brings her to life for those of us who did not know her.
If Katie was by your side always, that is the place for her ashes.
Hugs
Pat

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing and Katie she had a great life with you.
hugs,Lean&Mity

D.K. Wall said...

Thinking of you on this difficult anniversary. The special dogs in our lives certainly remind us of their presence from the bridge. So, while we may never have met Katie Bear, we share and understand your tears.

An English Shepherd said...

Lovely post and video.

Thanks for sharing it.

Wizz

Sarah said...

what a nice tribute to Katie, you can see how much she adored you, she was always looking at the camera with those bright eyes. what a great dog she was beautiful.

Jessie said...

Reading your tribute brought tears to my eyes... thanks for sharing Katie with us.

<3 Jessie