Katie was born at Aunt Rosa's house.  She was the daughter of Gypsy, a sweet pregnant stray who started running with Rosa while horse-back riding in the Mountains.  Gypsy was rescued and had five puppies.  Katie was the last one to be placed because she was the sweetest and the most timid.  I thank Rosa every time I see her for tricking me into taking Katie.  I had my beloved, Kirby, who at the time was 16 years old.  I did not think he would want another dog.  Rosa said "just take her for the weekend and see if Kirby likes her."  She slept in my lap on the way home.  When we got home she fit right in and Kirby loved her.  He trained her and she absorbed his love for 2 1/2 years.  Kirby had a lot of work to do training Katie and it kept him going until almost 19 years old.



I have a great baby book of Katie and how she grew up.  My neighbor used to call her Katie-babe and the black rocket because she would run around and around the back yard.  Everyone loved Katie because she was so loving and smart. On the tragic day of 9/11 Katie took turns comforted my friend, Maureen, and me.  She would go back and forth as we lay on the sofa watching the tragic event.



Katie was almost 13 years old.  She had arthritis, but was full of life and would run and play but differently than before.  I used to look at her and wonder how I would ever live without her and dreaded the day she might not be with me.  It is here...and it is just as hard as I imagined.  She died in her sleep and with dignity.  Just like she lived her life.  There are still times when I wonder if I will be able to live without her, but then I thank God that I had her for almost 13 years.  I am also thankful that it was peaceful and that she told me the night before to prepare me.  I do not know who loved the most..me loving her .... or her loving me.  As hard as it is losing her, I feel like she blessed me, my life, my friends, my Kujo and my family with love that far outways the pain.