Kayla found her way into our hearts starting with her photo on PetFinder.com.  We were looking to adopt a cat (which we did) and were lucky enough to actually meet Kayla when choosing our kitty.  It was love at first sight.  Actually, for her Daddy, the love started when he first saw her picture online :)  After meeting her in person/dog, we knew she simply must come and be a part of our family.



She came home with us the next day.  That was almost 4 years ago and we never looked back.  Hearing the horror story of Kayla's first years as a puppy mill producer in Kentucky and seeing the remains of her abuse as a younger dog, she captured our hearts so quickly.  When she came to us, she was a scared, submissive girl, but with TONS of love and attention, she fast became a confident and happy Beagle who loved everyone and every animal she met.  Even her older sister Pansy the Chihuahua who didn't care for any other pets instantly liked Kayla.  The ladies at Waggin' Tails Rescue where we adopted Kayla from said they couldn't believe the quick change in Kayla and how happy she seemed so soon after being adopted.



Kayla wasn't much one for activities.  Her favorite thing was curling up in the Beagle "donut" position and sleeping the day away.  Once her new Chihuahua brother Jakey came along, she decided maybe it would be fun to play a little and they had a wonderful time running around the house and then taking a break by snuggling together for a nap.  Kayla would even put her paws around Jake as if claiming him as her pup.



We only had one short week from the time Kayla was diagnosed with congestive heart failure until she left us.  We knew she didn't feel herself, although she did try and keep her spirits up - possibly for our benefit.  That's the kind of girl she was.  She never wanted to let us down.  Little does she know, she never did let us down.  The medications either just didn't work or didn't work in time and Kayla went to sleep early in the morning of Monday, January 11, 2010 for the final time.  We found her later that morning - around 7 am.  She looked as if she had just went to sleep and never woke up.  She looked peaceful and calm.  We kept her with us for most of the day as neither of us could face the idea of going to work or even leaving the house.  The cats and the other dogs tried to act as normal as they could, but they knew something wasn't right.



We finally got up the courage to wrap Kayla up and take her to our vet's office so that she could be cremated and we could keep a part of her with us.  We said our final goodbyes shortly before 5 pm that day. 



Things just aren't the same.  We will carry on because that's what Kayla would want.  We have 8 other babies who need us and need the extra love right now.  But seeing Kayla's colar, her crate, her food...it just seems like she is away for a little while and will be back soon.  I guess in a way she will.  Actually, she never left our hearts and that's the important part.



We love you Kayla.  Thank you for the joy and love you brought to our lives.  We only hope that your final years at your forever home more than made up for the first part of your life and that for once you knew what love truly felt like.  You deserved every hug, kiss and cookie that you got - even more.  You will forever be in our hearts and in our minds and we will always love you and be grateful for our time with you.



All our love,

Mommie & Daddy