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.
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.
