Katie

Our sweet Katie passed away quietly & unexpectedly here at home yesterday. What a shock. My husband noticed her acting strange while he was out getting the smoker ready to cook dinner. I went out to see for myself and it was obvious something was very wrong. My husband stayed with her while I went in to call the vet and as I was on the phone with the vet he came in to tell me he thought it was too late - and sure enough .... she was already gone. It happened so fast. So quietly.

It was almost like she had waited to have her whole family together one last time. Spokes had spent the night before with us and we enjoyed a nice family night together. It was the first time we'd all been together in a while. And just before Katie passed away Spokes left to go back to his house & Playmaker had left for soccer. Strike had just gotten home from school and my husband had taken the day off work so he was home too. I'm so glad he was here.

Poor Malakai. Katie was like a mother to him. I'm not sure how much he understands. I didn't let him see her after she passed but I wonder now if I should have. When I finally did let him out into the backyard again he went right to where she had been and sniffed and sniffed and looked around as if looking for her & now that she's been gone overnight ...I think he knows.

She was a good dog. A loyal friend. Our kids basically grew up with her as their nanny. She taught them so much - especially about responsibility and she was protective of them. I certainly felt an extra measure of security when she was around. That reminds me, I should probably leave a note for our mail carriers so they know that they no longer need to approach our mailbox with fear & trembling! I think they eventually figured out that her bark was bigger than her bite - but she could be intimidating that way. Edit: She wasn't  mean - just intimidating/protective & that's one of the things I loved & will miss most about her. Every now & then a mail carrier or pkg delivery person, etc. would spook/startle her & yikes!... my heart would go out to them :)

This has been tough on all of us but especially hard on the kids. As for me.... well, her health had been slowly declining for a long time and God knew I did not want to have to put her down . I dreaded it. I did not want to have to make that decision. So - in all honesty, I was actually relieved & thankful that it happened the way it did. Quietly. Quite peacefully and suddenly.

Today it's just strange. Different without her here. We're all used to having to step over her to get in and out. Her spot where she'd lay in front of the door to keep an eye on things inside and out is empty. She made for herself a special spot in all of our hearts tho' & we'll keep her close there.