Goodbye Katie.. I Love You

[chadtm80]

Well its been 16 years.. 16 YEARS!! 16 fun years.. 16 years of un-conditional Love.

For 16 years my dog Katie has been by myside no matter what. When I was sick she knew it and would never leave myside utill I was better. When I cried she knew I was hurt or upset and would do all she could to comfort me. My Parents bought Katie for me when I was just 9 years old when I was still in grade School.. Katie would sit at the front door everyday 10 minutes before my school bus dropped me off and would be the first to greet me when I came through the door.. Here we are 16 years later and she still sits and awaits for me at the door 10 minutes before I get home from work..

Katie has been through so much with me, and in a lot of cases helped me get through it. She is family.. There is no question.. I just can't imagine life without her.. She has just been a constant for so much of my life... One thing you could always depend on was her beeing there and beeing happy to see you.. No matter what.. How many people in our lives have that effect? Not to many.. Thats why my decision to put her down this Friday has me so terribly upset.. Her health has been deteriorating for a while now.. She has arthritis, bad back problems, and can hardly control her "potty sensations" anymore and is totally def.. I have put this off long enough.. This is something that actually should have been done earlier.. Maybe I was being selfish and didn't want to face having to lose someone else after having to go through my recent divorce.. Or maybe I was just trying to pretend that everything would be ok.. She has always just been my "puppy" in my eyes, so I just never thought this day would come so I might of just been blind to it.


How do you say goodbye to someone that has had this kind of impact on your life? I don't know.. I don't think anyone does.. All I know is that she will be severally missed.. Katie I love you and you have been an inspiration in my life.. If more humans could be more like you what a happy place this would be. I will Probably miss the daily greetings at the front door the most. I will miss the way you grab up a mouthful of food from your food bowl and bring it to what ever room I am in and then drop it on the floor to eat because you just didn't want to eat alone.. lol I will miss the tennis ball throwing.. Heck I will even miss seeing you jump in the pool and then rolling around in the dirt 15 minutes after I had just giving you a bath. I will miss the Lizard hunting.. She would sit in the window for hours scouring the outside for lizards and then soon as she spotted one she would be asked to be let out (I only saw her catch one in all the hunting she did.. lol.. But she still loved the sport ) I will also miss the way she has been to my son Dustin.. She has been loving to him from the beginning and we all know what little terrors little boys can be to dogs.. My son has done just about everything to little Katie and Katie would just take it with a grin. Katie I love you and I always will. You will never be forgotten.. Our memories will be with me for ever girl. I do not want to lose you, but I know the the time has come in your life where the sunny backyards in heaven are going to be a much more comfortable life for you. I will miss you and Love you always.

[CajunMama]

Oh Chad, i'm sorry about your best friend. Yes, that is what Katie was. Your best friend. You could scold her...she'd love you. You could correct her...she'd love you. You could talk to her...she'd understand every word you were saying. You showed one of the biggest acts of love you ever will do...an act so unselfish.

[MGC]

Sorry to hear of your loss Chad. I know I still miss my childhood pet. Barron was our beautiful German Shepard. We got Barron when I was a little one. He use to drag me across the kitchen floor when we played tug-of-war. He was a good and trusted friend. I always felt safe around Barron. When I finished high school I decided to join the Navy and see the world. The last time I saw Barron was Christmas week 1975. I was sent to Italy shortly thereafter and didn't make it home for some time. The next time I did make it home the first thing I noticed when I walked into the house was the absence of Barron. I asked my Mom where he was and when she just looked down I knew he was gone. He had died in his sleep (just like my Dad did) several months before I got home. My Mom didn't want to tell me cause she knew Barron's passing would break my heart. I still occasionally think of Barron and I'm kind of tearing up typing this. Chad, just try and think of all the good times you had with your pet. You did the right thing by putting her out of her misery......MGC

[Skywatch_NC]

Chad,

So very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog this coming Friday.
She will live in your and Dustin's hearts forever.

Eric

[Sean in New Orleans]

My heart goes out to you in every way. Dog lovers understand and we know in our hearts of the unique communication and bond between animal and man when it comes to our very best friend...our dogs. I have two and they are everything to me and more....

[vbhoutex]

They are special friends and I deeply miss the two we have had to put down. Some special prayers coming your and Katie's way dude.

[coriolis]

Chad, there was one of those "lists" circulating the internet (it might even have been posted here) about why a dog is better than a woman.

Stuff like "A dog doesn't care what time you come home" and "a dog doesn't care if you were with other dogs" & etc.

That would definitely tell the whole story right about now.

[southerngale]

You and MGC have me tearing up now. For you, and then I started thinking about my beloved Lady who died recently, ran over by a maniac flying in a residential area. I think about her a lot, I even look for her at night sometimes, not thinking. She was the sweetest dog and I really miss her.

Katie sounds really special. I'm so sorry you have to put her down. There's nothing quite like the love from a family dog, and it hurts bad when we lose them.

[azsnowman]

I have no words to discribe the way I'm feeling for you right now Chad, we've had our differences in the past but one thing that brings people together is the loss of a pet.....Here's a little something for you Brother!

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[O Town]

So sorry to hear about your buddy, Katie. You are doing her a favor by making the decision she can't make for herself. Her quaility of life is not what it used to be. It is one of the hardest decisions a pet owner can make, but one of the most important for them. She will always have a special place in your heart, and you will never forget the friend she has been, always there no matter what. I love my 2 dogs so much and I can sympathize with you. My prayers are with you Chad.

[azskyman]

So sorry to hear about your loss Chad. You said all the right things that tell us that you, indeed, had a special relationship with Katie.

Our pup Sasha was put to sleep in our laps at age 16. A lot of the same symptoms.

We can still talk about her, laugh about her, and remember her...and that you can always keep.

Put a photo of her up inside the house at a place where she often waited for you. First thing I see when I come in the door from the garage is Sasha waiting...just like she always did.

Good luck, friend.

Steve

[TexasStooge]

So sorry about your loss.

I dearly missed the 5 cats my family had from 1999-2002 after giving them up for adoption because of some greedy apartment manager that wanted to evict my family for no reason.

[Miss Mary]

Oh Chad, I had no idea you had a loving, canine companion, a best friend all these years! Until now. I too have a faithful, loyal and extremely loving dog - a Golden, named Hope.

I know how important they become in your life and never pass judgement, let you down, etc.

You've had a rough year so I'm sure losing Katie soon, is twice as sad. Just know you've given her a wonderful home, your love and attention and that is priceless, IMHO. If you look at this from her point of view, since it does sound like she is suffering now, perhaps that will make this very difficult decision easier to handle. Or more bearable.

I will be a major mess when this day comes, for Hope. So I can understand your heartache. Just know we're here for you Chad!

Hugs,

Mary

[Lindaloo]

Chad, my Corgi had the same problems. She also could not walk. There are medications to help her. My heart goes out to you because I know what you are dealing with emotionally. If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to call me.

(((((HUGS)))))

[HurricaneGirl]

Sounds like she had a full and happy life.. my thoughts and prayers are with you Chad.

[arkess7]

aaaaaaaawwwwwwwww thoughts and prayers are with you...........sounds like my childhood dog "ginger"......i got her when i was 6 and had to put her too sleep when I was 21 years old.........i know what you are feeling......its a very hard thing to do........but she will be in a better place and not be suffering anymore...... again thoughts and prayers are with you......

[Stephanie]

I am so sorry Chad! I know the feeling about having to put your pet down. With me, I don't know if it was selfishness or not wanting to do it too early with Derby if he still could have some good days ahead. It was almost like everytime Marty & I would discuss it, Derby "seemed" better, but not for long. We probably did wait alittle too long, but I know he's at peace now, waiting for us over the Rainbow Bridge. Thanks Dennis for posting that - I have to fix my mascara!

[JenBayles]

Oh Chad. Been there and done that and it's just the most horrible thing to deal with. It takes special people to let a creature into their lives and hearts knowing we'll only have them with us for a short part of our lives. You have some wonderful memories of Katie and maybe someday you'll be able to give that love to another deserving soul.

[streetsoldier]

Chad,

I cannot contemplate how lost I'd be without Annabelle (she be a ho'); now in her seventh year as our "Thing of Things, and Ho' of Ho's", not to mention "Best of Ho'"... and my best friend and constant companion.

[therock1811]

Sorry about that Chad. If you want to talk, just pm me.